Water is part of the 'critical natural capital' that provides a range of ecological and environmental functions for which there are no alternatives. The continuing lack of access to safe water and sanitation highlights one of the most important challenges of its social and well-being dimension, whilst the economic benefits derived from its exploitation as an input in agriculture and energy production demonstrates its commodity status. Studying how environmental policy and planning seeks to manage the many demands on water as a environmental resource and the myriad of water environments, as well as examining how environmental management interacts with the economic and political frameworks which shape water policies is a central concern of this module. Tools, techniques, strategies and policies that recognise the multi-functional nature of water resources and water environments, and encourage new modes of sustainable use are explored through a series of thematic case studies at global, 'North' and 'South' , national and local river basin scales. A feature of the module is a field day exploring wetland and urban river water environments to examine the challenges of managing at the local scale.

1 x 2hr examination.
(a seen essay question section and an unseen essay section; the seen question will be based on themes addressed in the local study visit) [100%] (LO 1-3)

Additional Assessment Details:
The examination includes a compulsory seen question based on a local area field case study addressing issues of innovative sustainable water resource management approaches in wetland and flood risk areas.

Additional Assessment Details (including formative feedback / assessment:
Many weekly meetings will be linked to readings and the completion of additional formative tasks that will provide opportunities for students to evaluate their understanding of module materials. Formative activities are part of the learning process on the module, and students are encouraged to keep these as a formative portfolio. Formative feedback will also be provided as part of the preparation for the end of module examination in the form of specific feedback on essay plans for the seen element in the examination.

Specify the number of contact hours attributed to each type of activity (eg lecture / lab / workshop). Total hours should equate to Contact Hours identified on page 1 of this form.

1. 10 * 2 hours lecture / workshop to introduce the core themes and engage with conceptual and case study material (20 hours)

2. 1 * 8 hours field visit to engage in field observation and discussion of the challenges of managing a specific water environment (8 hours)

3. Examination preparation and revision (72 hours)

4. Independent learning through guided reading from core texts and the use of web-based materials to develop an advanced knowledge of sustainable business practice (50 hours)

Jones, J.A.A. (2010) Water Sustainability. A Global Perspective London: Hodder Education
UNESCO (2012) Managing Water under Uncertainty and Risk World Water Development Report (WWDR4)
Hoekstra, Arjen & Chapagain, Ashok K. (2008) Globalization of Water London: Wiley-Blackwell
Newson, M. (2009) Land, Water and Development. Sustainable and adaptive management of rivers. (3rd. edition) Abingdon; Routledge.

Adequate general purpose teaching room. Facilities for audio-visual presentation. University Library,
Faculty of Sciences Learning Resource Centre, Internet & Email facilities, Blackboard or equivalent
VLE