This course provides an opportunity to study contemporary major hot-topics in terrestrial hydrology and water resource systems. Through presentations and discussions, participants are expected to obtain key concepts and perspective for the analysis, design and management of water resource systems in various scales including or particularly on a global-scale. Rather than introducing detailed equations and methodology, much attention is paid to acquire concepts and perspective inherent to water resource systems that are typical examples of human-nature systems in the "Anthropocene" in the modern world. Specifically, topics include "urban water", "agriculture and water", "forest and water", "extreme floods", from the viewpoint of sectors and elements. Topics also include, in terms of global-view, "water resources assessment", "virtual water and water footprint", and "global warming and water systems including mitigation and adaptation measures."
The aim of this course is to let students carry out research, participate in discussions and give presentations (ultimately for solving a problem) on selected major topics. Students, even Japanese students, are encouraged to write, discuss and make presentations in English throughout the course.
By the end of this course, students will be able to:
1) obtain latest and key knowledge, concepts and perspectives on major contemporary topics in terrestrial hydrology and water resources. The scales of the topics vary from catchment to global.
2) build capacity to discuss and present on each topic.
Hydrology, Water cycle, Water resources, Water disasters, Floods, Droughts, River, Global environment, Climate change, Global warming, Anthropocene, Sustainability
✔ Specialist skills | ✔ Intercultural skills | ✔ Communication skills | ✔ Critical thinking skills | Practical and/or problem-solving skills |
Lectures, group-presentations, discussions and small-exams are mixed in every class. There are opportunities of group-based research and presentation by students. Because of the nature of the topics that are inherently integrated and complicated, the topics 1-15 may be integrated/combined. Also, understanding and discussion for each topic may not be separated into two classes (= both may be done in a single class). In such a case, the number of topics will be increased. Because each topic is relatively independent, the order may be changed. Hot topics will be frequently introduced with audio/video media.
Course schedule | Required learning | |
---|---|---|
Class 1 | Introduction; Terrestrial hydrology and water resource systems | Understand the targets and objectives of this class. |
Class 2 | Urban water in the contemporary world 1 (Understanding the problem) | Understand a major problem on this topic. |
Class 3 | Urban water in the contemporary world 2 (Discussion and proposal) | Discuss and propose potential/plausible/possible solutions to the problem. |
Class 4 | Agriculture and water on a large scale 1 (Understanding the problem) | Understand a major problem on this topic. |
Class 5 | Agriculture and water on a large scale 2 (Discussion and proposal) | Discuss and propose potential/plausible/possible solutions to the problem. |
Class 6 | Extreme flooding 1 (Understanding the problem) | Understand a major problem on this topic. |
Class 7 | Extreme flooding 2 (Discussion and proposal) | Discuss and propose potential/plausible/possible solutions to the problem. |
Class 8 | Global water resources assessment 1 (Understanding the problem) | Understand a major problem on this topic. |
Class 9 | Global water resources assessment 2 (Discussion and proposal) | Discuss and propose potential/plausible/possible solutions to the problem. |
Class 10 | Virtual water trade and water footprint 1 (Understanding the problem) | Understand a major problem on this topic. |
Class 11 | Virtual water trade and water footprint 2 (Discussion and proposal) | Discuss and propose potential/plausible/possible solutions to the problem. |
Class 12 | Forest and water 1 (Green dam 1) (Understanding the problem) | Understand a major problem on this topic. |
Class 13 | Forest and water 2 (Green dam 2) (Discussion and proposal) | Discuss and propose potential/plausible/possible solutions to the problem. |
Class 14 | Mitigation and adaptation to climate change in water resource systems 1 (Understanding the problem) | Understand a major problem on this topic. |
Class 15 | Mitigation and adaptation to climate change in water resource systems 2 (Discussion and proposal) | Discuss and propose potential/plausible/possible solutions to the problem. |
Not specified
Handouts will be distributed in the class
Reports or a set of small exams (80%). Group-based investigation and discussion (contribution and leadership) (20%). Assessment of reports or exams is based on the quality of the written reports (or answer sheets). Short reports (exams) are assigned for each topic. The presentation material of group-based investigation may be regarded as a kind of report. Modification to reports, exams, and assessment of them will be explained in the Introduction of the course.
None required
Nothing special