AGSY 420 - Political Ecology of Agriculture & Nat Resources

Credits: 5
LEC hours per week: 5
This course will provide an overview of the political, social, economic, regulatory and administrative systems that affect the use, development, and management of water and land resources. Students will be introduced to past, present and future themes that influence natural resources governance including sustainable development, integrated water resource management, water rights, and land management. These themes will be explored at the local, state and national levels to provide students with a broad understanding of water and natural resources governance issues. Formerly: SAS 420.
Course Outcomes:

Identify basic sources of authority for water and natural resources law, administration and management (i.e., constitutional, statutory, administrative, common law).
Summarize the sources and uses of water in Washington and describe the technologies that allow individuals and entities to obtain, move, distribute, treat, reuse and dispose of water and wastewater.
Explain the root sources of difference in water allocation schemes, including historical and institutional roots, in other U.S. states and regions.
Compare and contrast the administrative, legislative, judicial, public outreach processes, planning, financing and market mechanisms used to allocate surface and groundwater and natural resources in Washington among users.
Collaboratively develop strategies promoting sustainable water management solutions and explain and defend these plans in a professional environment.
Evaluate and discuss the assumptions, strengths and weaknesses of various existing water and natural resources policies as well as potential reform measures and their obstacles.

Course Topics:

Social systems that impact water & natural resources use
Economic systems that impact resources use
Political systems that impact resources use
Regulatory & administrative systems that impact resources use