Water Resources and Sustainability in the Middle East: Conditions, Strategies and Societal Adaptations
This course examines sustainability and development in a changing world, with a particular focus on water and climate issues, green energy as opposed to oil and gas, and the future financial and trade policy strategies of the Middle East and North Africa in relation to the wider world.
The Middle East and North Africa region is characterised by scarce water resources, which are usually transboundary and often located in disputed or conflict-ridden areas. At the same time, the region’s population is growing rapidly and water availability is expected to be adversely affected by ongoing climate and land-use changes. Unless there is a reversal of this trend, future water resources will not be sufficient to meet the region’s growing needs, and the risk of conflict is high. The region’s economy, trade, politics and development are thus closely linked to its water resources and how they are utilised.
The course covers sustainability from a systems perspective, incorporating both a theoretical approach and practical application through case study analyses within the Middle East and North Africa. Case studies are used to illustrate the dynamics between the region’s changing conditions and the utilisation of these resources, with a particular focus on water resources, their predominantly transboundary nature and the fact that they are often linked to disputed or conflict-ridden areas. Furthermore, as mentioned above, the focus is also on climate issues, green energy as opposed to oil and gas, and the future financial and trade policy strategies of the Middle East and North Africa in relation to the wider world. Development aid, which can be linked to natural resources and migration, is also addressed. The aim of the course is therefore to give students the opportunity to study sustainability from a systems perspective, employing both a theoretical and a more practical approach. In the latter case, students will have the opportunity to work with material that reflects current issues.
Modules
Case study, 10 credits: As part of this module, students undertake a short case study with the aim of analysing sustainability and water resources from a systems perspective.
Theory, 2.5 credits: In this module, students will acquire relevant theoretical knowledge that can be applied to an analysis of the Middle East region’s water resources, the region’s green transition and energy policy adaptation, and possible solutions to the problems facing the region.
State of Research, 2.5 credits: In this module, students study previous research concerning the Middle East’s water resources, the region’s green transition and energy policy adaptation, possible solutions and potential obstacles.
Teaching Format
Teaching consists of lectures and seminars. The course includes a project in the form of a short case study. Students will receive supervision whilst working on the study. Attendance at all seminars is compulsory.
Assessment
The ‘Case Study’ module (10 credits) is assessed through a written assignment in the form of a case study.The assessment takes place in groups. The case study must also be presented orally at a seminar, and the students’ work must be documented in a diary.
The modules ‘Theory’ (2.5 credits) and ‘Current Research’ (2.5 credits) are assessed through written seminar assignments and a digital exam consisting of multiple-choice questions.
The principles for weighting the individual assessment tasks are set out in the grading criteria.
Assessment is conducted in English.
The course is run in collaboration with the Department of Physical Geography.
Student Counselling:
exp.asien@su.se
Director of Studies, Middle Eastern languages and cultures:
Martin Säfström
Phone: 08-16 29 43
