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); on ground 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 links many components of the course.

Honours Pathway Option

Subject to the approval of the course convenor, students taking this option will be expected to complete enrichment learning activities that build leadership skills and support higher level engagement across the water sector. Students taking this option will be expected to include discussions with key decision makers/researchers, chairing and being the secretariat at meetings, or leading discussion in-class or online with water sector specialists. Students undertaking the HPO will engage with LO1, LO2 and LO4. The HPO is open to all students. Students opt-in to the HPO through the option sign-up in Wattle by Friday Week 3.

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. Students will be working with real case studies requiring research in the Water Ethics Moot.

Field Trips

No field trips for this course.

Additional Course Costs

There are no extra costs for students.

Required Resources

No special resources are required.

Recommended Resources

There are no required reference materials for this course. Any readings required for workshop preparation will be posted on Canvas and will be available the week prior to the relevant workshop. 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). Feedback can also be provided to Course Conveners and teachers via the Student Experience of Learning & Teaching (SELT) feedback program. SELT surveys are confidential and also provide the Colleges and ANU Executive with opportunities to recognise excellent teaching, and opportunities for improvement.

Class Schedule

Week/Session	Summary of Activities	Assessment
1	Students should refer to the CANVAS 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 to workshops
2	Lecture A: Water ethicsLecture B: Indigenous WaterWorkshop: Water ethics	Water Ethics case studies released with group sign up
3	Lecture A: Water and genderLecture B: River regulation and IrrigationWorkshop: Interrogating the Ord
4	Lecture A: ASS Lecture B: Mining and waterWorkshop: Conceptual site modelling
5	Lecture A: Complex problems in water managementLecture B: Water management in the PacificWorkshop: Complex problem solving	Research paper on Indigenous Water (30%) due 27th March (Friday)
6	Lecture A: Environmental waterLecture B: Water sharing and the MDB BasinWorkshop: Water Ethics Position paper final draft	Ethics Moot position paper (10%) ALL Groups in-class activity during Workshop, due 2 April (Thursday)
7	Lecture A: Urban water and sustainabilityLecture B: Peri-urbanisationWorkshop: Ethics Moot (1st sitting)	Ethics Moot in-class assessment (20%) Groups A-D (21st April)
8	Lecture A: Water management and ecologyLecture B: Stakeholder engagementWorkshop: Ethics Moot (2nd sitting)	Ethics Moot in-class assessment (20%) Groups E-J (28th April)
9	Lecture A: Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM)Lecture B: Catchment AssessmentWorkshop: Unpacking IWRM in an interrupted case study scenario	Quiz (3.33%) Due 6th May
10	Lecture A: Global issues: Contaminated watersLecture B: Global issues: Water management for human healthWorkshop: Water management for human health	Quiz (3.33%) Due 13th May
11	Lecture A: Global issues: transboundary waterLecture B: Global issues: water conflicts and diplomacyWorkshop: Water diplomacy and negotiation	Quiz (3.33%) Due 20th May
12	Lecture A: Ecohydrology Lecture B: No lectureWorkshop: Revision
13		Examination during formal examination period (30%)

Tutorial Registration

n/a

Assessment Summary

Assessment task	Value	Due Date	Learning Outcomes
Water Ethics Moot	30 %	*	1,2,3,4,5,6
Indigenous water research paper	30 %	27/03/2026	1,2,4
Quizzes	10 %	*	1,2,3,4,6
Examination	30 %	*	1,2,3,4,5,6

* 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 Integrity Rule before the commencement of their course. Other key policies and guidelines include:

• Academic Integrity Policy and Procedure
• Student Assessment (Coursework) Policy and Procedure
• Extenuating Circumstances Application
• Student Surveys and Evaluations
• Deferred Examinations
• Student Complaint Resolution Policy and Procedure
• Code of practice for teaching and learning

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 Skills website. 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 ‘Canvas’ 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.

Examination(s)

Please note, that where a date range is used in the Assessment Summary in relation to exams, the due date and return date indicate the approximate timeframe in which the exam will be held and results returned to the student (official end of Semester results released on ISIS). Students should consult the course wattle site and the ANU final examination timetable to confirm the date, time and venue of the exam.

Assessment Task 1

Water Ethics Moot

The Water Ethics Moot is a multi-staged task that is planned to help you to understand the key role that ethics plays in water management, planning and decision making. These stages include (i) initial research into a specific case study provided in Week 2 culminating in a group position paper (due Week 6); and (ii) an Ethics Moot or oral response to an ethical question, provided to you on the day of the moot in Week 7 and 8. 

By becoming aware of the ethical underpinnings to water management, you will start to see its relevance across the various themes of the course and help inform your own thinking into the future. By tackling a specific case study where ethics plays a key role in water management you will have the opportunity to reflect on and analyse the complexity that underpins any water management issue. 

Students will be able to self-allocate themselves to a case study and stakeholder (2 per case study) in Week 2. These case studies will be released during Week 2’s workshop both online and during class. For every case study, there are two stakeholders who represent an opposing interest e.g. Government vs NGO or a mining company vs an affected community.

The case study notes will comprise a summary document and some reference materials to get you started. Between Week 2 - Week 6, you will engage in an initial research phase. As a group you should collaboratively research the case study by:

(i)           clearly identifying the core issue,

(ii)         identifying all the key stakeholders, their interests and their potential biases, and then concentrate on your stakeholder group, and

(iii)        noting the salient ethical principles at play with particular reference to your stakeholder group. 

Time will be allocated to you in each Workshop so you can undertake this, research, share knowledge and ideas with your team mates and build cohesion across your group. You will need to find a way to compile and share your research in preparation for the creation of your Stakeholder Position Paper and then the Ethics Moot. Remember: Your team’s capacity to work together is critical.

Assessment (i) 

During Week 6, your group will need to prepare and submit a Stakeholder Position Paper through the Assignments folder. Please also upload this document to the Discussions folder on the Canvas site so the class can see your work before the start of the Ethics Moot in Week 7 and 8.

A Position Paper is a short document representing a stakeholder's stance or 'position' on your case. It should include:

·        a strong introductory paragraph stating the case, the stakeholder that is being represented and a position; 

·        a set of well-reasoned arguments and evidence with in-text citations; and, 

·        a short conclusion and set of recommendations. 

This position paper should be no longer than 2-pages and should be written as a team. Please include a bibliography which is in addition to this 2-page document

Value: 10%

Due date: 2nd April

Estimated return date: two weeks after submission

Rubric: Please refer to Assessment Rubrics on Canvas

Assessment (ii)

During Week 7 and 8, the Ethics Moot will take place. Your group will be asked to give a verbal response (10 minutes maximum) to a question which will be posed to you during the workshop. Your job is to convince your audience of the merits of your position and why your interests should be prioritized over and above the other stakeholder in your case. 

Your case study question will be answered from the perspective of both stakeholders. The quality of the verbal response will be assessed by the convenor and tutors. Remember: This is not a PowerPoint presentation. If you decide to use PowerPoint, you can only present images relevant to the case study. 

To prepare for the Moot, make sure everyone on your team takes part in this verbal response. For those who feel they are unable to give an oral presentation, they will need to inform the convenor and take other roles within the team e.g. a leadership role in organizing the research stage or preparing and managing any images during the Moot.

Immediately before each round of the Water Ethics Moot, a coin toss will decide which of two teams will answer the designated question first. The team that loses the coin toss will go second, and present their argument from their own stakeholder’s perspective. Only AFTER the coin toss will the question be presented to the two teams.

Each stakeholder will be given ten (10) minutes before the Moot starts to prepare a response. Here is a possible format for the teams' responses to the questions.

·        An introduction to the case study, your stakeholder, your interests and your approach to the presentation;

·        Your response to the question from your stakeholder’s perspective with reference to the relevant key water ethics principles and literature;

·        A strong concluding statement.

Time limit: 10 minutes

Penalties: 10% group penalty if you are still talking at 11 mins .

Value: 20%

Due date: Weeks 7 and 8 Workshops (21st and 28th April)

Estimated return date: Feedback provided within two weeks

Rubric: Please refer to Assessment Rubrics on Canvas

Assessment Task 2

Indigenous water research paper

Indigenous water rights have been a long ignored, highly compartmentalized, and contentious facet of water management across Australia and overseas. This paper has two parts: (i) Critically map the development of these rights in Australia, identifying key legislative and policy instruments and note the salient barriers and incentives to progress. (ii) Use this information now to address the question: What are the most effective mechanisms for achieving equitable water rights in the future for Indigenous Peoples?

Recommended length: ~ 3000 words

Value: 30%

Due date: 27th March

Estimated return date: Feedback provided within two weeks

Rubric: Please refer to Assessment Rubrics on Canvas

Assessment Task 3

Quizzes

Three short online quizzes are linked to the Workshops in Weeks 9, 10 and 11. A series of questions relate to the issues covered in these workshops.

Value: 3.33% each, totalling 10%

DUE 6th, 13th and 20th May (2 hours to complete)

Assessment Task 4

Examination

The 2 hour exam is during the formal examination period and will therefore be timetabled accordingly. 

Value: 30%

Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is a core part of the ANU culture as a community of scholars. The University’s students are an integral part of that community. The academic integrity principle commits all students to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support, academic integrity, and to uphold this commitment by behaving honestly, responsibly and ethically, and with respect and fairness, in scholarly practice.

The University expects all staff and students to be familiar with the academic integrity principle, the Academic Integrity Rule 2021, the Policy: Student Academic Integrity and Procedure: Student Academic Integrity, and to uphold high standards of academic integrity to ensure the quality and value of our qualifications.

The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 is a legal document that the University uses to promote academic integrity, and manage breaches of the academic integrity principle. The Policy and Procedure support the Rule by outlining overarching principles, responsibilities and processes. The Academic Integrity Rule 2021 commences on 1 December 2021 and applies to courses commencing on or after that date, as well as to research conduct occurring on or after that date. Prior to this, the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 applies.

 

The University commits to assisting all students to understand how to engage in academic work in ways that are consistent with, and actively support academic integrity. All coursework students must complete the online Academic Integrity Module (Epigeum), and Higher Degree Research (HDR) students are required to complete research integrity training. The Academic Integrity website provides information about services available to assist students with their assignments, examinations and other learning activities, as well as understanding and upholding academic integrity.

Online Submission

Assignments are submitted using Turnitin in the course Canvas site. 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 penalty of 5% per working day late will be imposed.

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

The Academic Skills website has information to assist you with your writing and assessments. The website includes information about Academic Integrity including referencing requirements for different disciplines. There is also information on Plagiarism and different ways to use source material. Any use of artificial intelligence must be properly referenced. Failure to properly cite use of Generative AI will be considered a breach of academic integrity.

Returning Assignments

Feedback on assignments is provided within Turnitin, and results are posted up on the Canvas 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 Accessibility 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 supports you make your own decisions about how you learn and manage your workload.
• ANU Counselling promotes, supports and enhances mental health and wellbeing within the University student community.
• ANUSA supports and represents all ANU students