The aim of this course is to provide an understanding of issues and methods in water resources management, and is set especially within the framework of total, or integrated, catchment management. The course gives an introduction to the unique hydrology of Australia, major issues of water resource management, the implications of past water management practices, the principles of integrated catchment management and sustainability, and current management tools and strategies.

Topics will include: the components of the hydrological cycle; impacts of land and water management on water quantity and quality; water demand and allocation among users, including the environment; the institutional and policy aspects of Water Resource Management (WRM); onground strategies of WRM; and integrated modelling of water and land resources. The course emphasises the interdisciplinarity of water resource management and examines integrated assessment, which is a method that seeks to solve water management problems by investigating the physical, economic, social and institutional components of a problem.Water ethics is a key theme that underpins and linkls many components of the course.

 

Note: Graduate students attend joint classes with undergraduates but are assessed separately.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion, students will have the knowledge and skills to:

1. understand the complex interplay between people, climate, land, water and economic development in water resource management in Australia;
2. explain how the changing balance over time in water availability, demand for water and value of water informs (and has been informed by) the history of development, institutional arrangements, policy and management;
3. demonstrate familiarity with a range of water resource management issues, including origins, impacts and management interventions in both rural and urban settings;
4. integrate information from a range of disciplines into a comprehensive picture of a water resource management issue;
5. appreciate the relationship between raw data and the interpretation(s) that stem from it, and how a lack of knowledge or uncertain knowledge influences resource management decision-making;
6. consider and use a range of methods for tackling water resource management problems.

Research-Led Teaching

The research activities of the course convenor and a number of guest lecturers complement and underpin this course. The tutorials engage students in active enquiry based learning opportunities that are derived from current research in water management around the world.

Field Trips

Please see the Fenner School Day Field Trip page for more information.

Examination Material or equipment

There is no formal examination for this course, however, there is an open book test in the final week of semester in which reading materials are permitted.

Required Resources

No special resources are required.

Recommended Resources

There are no required reference materials for this course. Readings will be posted on Wattle each week, and students are encouraged to search the literature for relevant papers and reference material.

Recommended student system requirements 

ANU courses commonly use a number of online resources and activities including:

• video material, similar to YouTube, for lectures and other instruction
• two-way video conferencing for interactive learning
• email and other messaging tools for communication
• interactive web apps for formative and collaborative activities
• print and photo/scan for handwritten work
• home-based assessment.

To fully participate in ANU learning, students need:

• A computer or laptop. Mobile devices may work well but in some situations a computer/laptop may be more appropriate.
• Webcam
• Speakers and a microphone (e.g. headset)
• Reliable, stable internet connection. Broadband recommended. If using a mobile network or wi-fi then check performance is adequate.
• Suitable location with minimal interruptions and adequate privacy for classes and assessments.
• Printing, and photo/scanning equipment

For more information please see https://www.anu.edu.au/students/systems/recommended-student-system-requirements

Staff Feedback

Students will be given feedback in the following forms in this course:

• Written comments on assignments;
• Written and verbal comments on group presentations;
• Verbal feedback to the whole class on group activities and on assignments;
• Additional, individual feedback on request.

Student Feedback

ANU is committed to the demonstration of educational excellence and regularly seeks feedback from students. Students are encouraged to offer feedback directly to their Course Convener or through their College and Course representatives (if applicable). The feedback given in these surveys is anonymous and provides the Colleges, University Education Committee and Academic Board with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement. The Surveys and Evaluation website provides more information on student surveys at ANU and reports on the feedback provided on ANU courses.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Students should refer to the Wattle site for current delivery information for the course this semester. Lecture A: Introduction: the water resource base and its development Lecture B: Water supply, use and values Workshop: Introduction
2	Lecture A: Water ethics Lecture B: Water and gender Workshop: Water ethics	Water Moot research material released to assigned groups and online group research commences (10%)
3	Lecture A: Indigenous water Lecture B: River regulation and Irrigation Workshop: Interrogating the Ord
4	Lecture A: Mining and water Lecture B: ASS Workshop: Conceptual site modelling
5	Lecture A: Water and COVID Lecture B: Water and the Pacific Workshop:
6	Lecture A: Environmental water Lecture B: Water sharing in the WDB Basin Workshop: Water sharing in the WDB Basin	Research report due 4th April (50%)
7	Lecture A: Urban water and sustainability Lecture B: Peri-urbanisation Workshop: Water Moot preparation and knowledge sharing
8	Lecture A: Water management and ecology Lecture B: Stakeholder engagement Workshop: Water Moot	Moot (20%)
9	Lecture A: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) Lecture B: Catchment Management Workshop: Unpacking IWRM in an interrupted case study scenario	Quiz (3.33%)
10	Lecture A: Global issues: contaminated water Lecture B: Global issues: Water and COVID Workshop: Water management for human health	Quiz (3.33%)
11	Lecture A: Global issues: transboundary water Lecture B: Global issues: water conflicts Workshop: Water diplomacy and negotiation	Quiz (3.33%)
12	Lecture A: Ecohydrology and humanitarian engineering Lecture B: Preparing for New Futures Workshop: Open book test	Open book test (20%) in class time

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Return of assessment	Learning Outcomes
Workshop participation	40 %	*	*	2,3,4
Research paper	40 %	04/04/2022	29/04/2022	2,3,4,6
Open Book Test	20 %	*	*	1,2,3,4,5

* If the Due Date and Return of Assessment date are blank, see the Assessment Tab for specific Assessment Task details

Policies

ANU has educational policies, procedures and guidelines, which are designed to ensure that staff and students are aware of the University’s academic standards, and implement them. Students are expected to have read the Academic Misconduct Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Special Assessment Consideration Policy and General Information 
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure

Assessment Requirements

The ANU is using Turnitin to enhance student citation and referencing techniques, and to assess assignment submissions as a component of the University's approach to managing Academic Integrity. For additional information regarding Turnitin please visit the Academic Integrity . In rare cases where online submission using Turnitin software is not technically possible; or where not using Turnitin software has been justified by the Course Convener and approved by the Associate Dean (Education) on the basis of the teaching model being employed; students shall submit assessment online via ‘Wattle’ outside of Turnitin, or failing that in hard copy, or through a combination of submission methods as approved by the Associate Dean (Education). The submission method is detailed below.

Moderation of Assessment

Marks that are allocated during Semester are to be considered provisional until formalised by the College examiners meeting at the end of each Semester. If appropriate, some moderation of marks might be applied prior to final results being released.

Assessment Task 1

Workshop participation

This assessment comprises three components all of which are reliant on participation in workshops and associated activities. These include:

(i) Online research forums within small groups (~4 people) requiring posting resources, ideas and questions based around a water management issue (10%)

(ii) Water Moot – time-limited group activity drawing from activity (i) Requires compulsory attendance at workshops in Weeks 7 and 8 (20%)

(iii) Three quizzes based on workshop activities in the second half of the course. (10%)

Estimated return date: 2 weeks after submission

Assessment Task 2

Research paper

Students will compose a research-based paper on a water resource management issue, choosing one of the following:

• Indigenous water rights
• Water and gender
• Water conservation for biodiversity
• Water contamination
• Water sensitive urban design
• Transboundary water conflicts and pathways to resolution

Word limit: 4000 plus tables and references.  

Value: 40% 

To be submitted electronically via TURNITIN on Wattle.  

Estimated return date: Feedback provided within two weeks of submission

Rubric: Available in the Course Outline on Wattle

Assessment Task 3

Open Book Test

At the end of the semester, students will take an open book test during class time, but remotely. It is expected that students will refer to lecture notes, and any additional reference material relevant to the course.

Only three (3) questions need to be answered, one from each section of the paper. The exam will be two hours long so the answers are expected to be ~ 2-3 pages long, and can be illustrated with diagrams.

Value: 20%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. At its heart, academic integrity is about behaving ethically, committing to honest and responsible scholarly practice and upholding these values with respect and fairness.

The ANU commits to assisting all members of our community to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. The ANU expects staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle and Academic Misconduct Rule, uphold high standards of academic integrity and act ethically and honestly, to ensure the quality and value of the qualification that you will graduate with.

The Academic Misconduct Rule is in place to promote academic integrity and manage academic misconduct. Very minor breaches of the academic integrity principle may result in a reduction of marks of up to 10% of the total marks available for the assessment. The ANU offers a number of online and in person services to assist students with their assignments, examinations, and other learning activities. Visit the Academic Skills website for more information about academic integrity, your responsibilities and for assistance with your assignments, writing skills and study.

Online Submission

Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Wattle site. You will be required to attach an assignment cover sheet and electronically sign that declaration as part of the submission of your assignment. Please keep a copy of the assignment for your records.

Hardcopy Submission

For some forms of assessment (hand written assignments, art works, laboratory notes, etc.) hard copy submission is appropriate when approved by the Associate Dean (Education). Hard copy submissions must utilise the Assignment Cover Sheet. Please keep a copy of tasks completed for your records.

Late Submission

No submission of assessment tasks without an extension after the due date will be permitted. If an assessment task is not submitted by the due date, a mark of 0 will be awarded.

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure.

The Course Convener may grant extensions for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request it in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Referencing Requirements

Accepted academic practice for referencing sources that you use in presentations can be found via the links on the Wattle site, under the file named “ANU and College Policies, Program Information, Student Support Services and Assessment”. Alternatively, you can seek help through the Students Learning Development website.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on assignments is provided on the hard copy submissions, and results are posted up on the Wattle grade sheet.

Extensions and Penalties

Extensions and late submission of assessment pieces are covered by the Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure. Extensions may be granted for assessment pieces that are not examinations or take-home examinations. If you need an extension, you must request an extension in writing on or before the due date. If you have documented and appropriate medical evidence that demonstrates you were not able to request an extension on or before the due date, you may be able to request it after the due date.

Resubmission of Assignments

Re-submission of assignments is not permitted.

Privacy Notice

The ANU has made a number of third party, online, databases available for students to use. Use of each online database is conditional on student end users first agreeing to the database licensor’s terms of service and/or privacy policy. Students should read these carefully. In some cases student end users will be required to register an account with the database licensor and submit personal information, including their: first name; last name; ANU email address; and other information.
In cases where student end users are asked to submit ‘content’ to a database, such as an assignment or short answers, the database licensor may only use the student’s ‘content’ in accordance with the terms of service – including any (copyright) licence the student grants to the database licensor. Any personal information or content a student submits may be stored by the licensor, potentially offshore, and will be used to process the database service in accordance with the licensors terms of service and/or privacy policy.
If any student chooses not to agree to the database licensor’s terms of service or privacy policy, the student will not be able to access and use the database. In these circumstances students should contact their lecturer to enquire about alternative arrangements that are available.

Distribution of grades policy

Academic Quality Assurance Committee monitors the performance of students, including attrition, further study and employment rates and grade distribution, and College reports on quality assurance processes for assessment activities, including alignment with national and international disciplinary and interdisciplinary standards, as well as qualification type learning outcomes.

Since first semester 1994, ANU uses a grading scale for all courses. This grading scale is used by all academic areas of the University.

Support for students

The University offers students support through several different services. You may contact the services listed below directly or seek advice from your Course Convener, Student Administrators, or your College and Course representatives (if applicable).

• ANU Health, safety & wellbeing for medical services, counselling, mental health and spiritual support
• ANU Diversity and inclusion for students with a disability or ongoing or chronic illness
• ANU Dean of Students for confidential, impartial advice and help to resolve problems between students and the academic or administrative areas of the University
• ANU Academic Skills and Learning Centre supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling Centre promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents undergraduate and ANU College students
• PARSA supports and represents postgraduate and research students