Course Description
A systems-focused conceptual basis for environmental problem solving, specifically addressing water issues. Systems approaches to sustainability, challenges of Anthropocene environmental change, and solutions to connected water-food-energy problems are explored. Focus on local to regional watersheds, water quality and quantity, biodiversity loss, communication, and systems change.
Athena Title
Water Sustain Anthropocene
Semester Course Offered
Offered fall
Grading System
A - F (Traditional)
Course Objectives
Students will read, interpret, and discuss primary literature in systems thinking, food-water-energy nexus, coupled social- ecological systems, and the problems and solutions associated with protection of water quality and aquatic biodiversity. Students will become knowledgeable about local water quality and management issues and develop associated communication materials in group projects. Students will become aware of systems-based solutions to water quality problems and will develop research papers that describe water systems problems and solutions specific to Georgia.
Topical Outline
Weeks 1-2. Introduction. Introduction to freshwater ecosystems and challenges in meeting requirements of society and functioning ecosystems. Introduction and guidelines to reading primary literature. Weeks 3-4. Perspectives on water sustainability. Explore concepts of planetary boundaries, systems approaches to sustainability, and the challenges and concepts associated with the Anthropocene. Exploration of good practices, innovations, and experiments that can provide for positive systems change. Weeks 5-7. Further exploration of freshwater ecosystems, their requirements, and how they function. Introduction to bioassessment as a tool to assess water quality. Introduction to local watersheds and watershed management plans. Survey of lakes, streams, and rivers. Introduction to communication of environmental issues and the tools for creating informative video content. Weeks 8-10. Issues dealing specifically with water delivery and wastewater. Introduction to climate change effects and campus streams. Introduction to policy, management, and engineering solutions to water delivery and allocation. Weeks 11-12. Issues dealing with coupled food and water systems. Introduction to nutrient pollution, solutions to nutrient pollution, the phosphorus crisis, and other food-water issues. Introduction to human decision making around food-water issues. Weeks 13-13.5. Issues dealing with coupled energy and water systems. Introduction to connected issues of dam construction, cooling water needs, and climate change associated with energy-water nexus. Exposure to a scientific conference on water. Delivery of communication videos. Weeks 13.6-15. Introduction to restoration. Exploration of applying systems analysis to local watersheds. Synthesis of information in the form of submitted term papers.
Syllabus