Fall 2005 Course Description
Policy Research Project
| Section Title: |
Cross Border Water Management |
| Instructor(s): |
David Eaton |
| Course: |
P A 682A - Policy Research Project |
| Unique Number: |
63923 |
| Day & Time: |
Tuesdays, 2:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Room: |
SRH 3.109 |
| Waitlist Information: | For LBJ Students: UT Waitlist Information |
| Notes: |
Same as MES 381-41017 and GRG 396T-36247 |
This course fulfills requirements for the following specialization(s):
- International Affairs
- Nonprofit and Philanthropic Studies
- Urban and State Affairs
- Natural Resources and the Environment
Description: Crosslists: Environmental Sciences Institute, Jackson School of Geosciences [Note: may cross-list as GEO 491, contact Miriam Pashby, Geol. Sciences Dept.], College of Natural Sciences, Department of Middle Eastern Studies, Institute of South Asian Studies, Institute for Latin American Studies, and Department of Geography and the Environment.
This course is concerned with environmental management across three sets of borders: (a) the Mexico-Texas border; (b) the boundaries between the Palestinian Authority and Israel; and (c) the border between Pakistan and India associated with the Indian River Basin.
A. List of Water Projects
Some of the water topics to be considered by groups within the PRP and their associated clients are:
- PRP students will develop a digital video documentary for PBS (Public Broadcasting System) on the improvement of water infrastructure along the Mexico/Texas border;
- domestic water and wastewater services to the poor in the Palestinian Authority and Israel (clients: U.S. State Department, Palestinian Hydrology Group; Al Azhar University of Gaza; Ben Gurion University of the Negev; The Hebrew University of Jerusalem);
- irrigation water to farmers in Texas and Mexico within the Rio Grande/Rio Bravo (clients: North American Development Bank, Texas Water Development Board, Texas Department of Agriculture, and U.S. Agency for International Development);
- provision of domestic water and wastewater services in poor communities along the Mexico-US border (clients: North American Development Bank, Texas Water Development Board, Texas Commission on Environmental Quality, U.S. Agency for International Development, U.S. Department of Education, and U.S. Department of State);
- water resources use in the Indus River Basin (client: Stanford University); and
- water negotiations between cross-border nations, including : Mexico-US (Texas), Palestine- Israel, Pakistan-India (clients: North American Development Bank, U.S. Department of State).
B. A List of Environmental Projects
Some of the topics to be considered by groups within the PRP and their associated clients are:
- developing methods for quantifying the volume of waste oil disposed along the Mexico/Texas border and proposing procedures for the management of waste oil. This task will use data from the Juarez/El Paso region. (client: USEPA);
- developing methods for estimating the number and volume/waste tires along the border and proposing procedures for the management of tires. This case will use data from the Juarez/El Paso region (client: USEPA).
Student activities are likely to include: review of records of organizations; field investigations; interviews; mail surveys; and focus groups. Students may: (a) prepare training materials and use them; (b) write policy analyses that can be used by the clients; and (c) develop proposals for projects or investments. Students will be expected to prepare reports that are equivalent to those of professional consultants or research staff. A student?s performance in the course will be evaluated based on her/his writing (90 percent) and participation in the class activities (10 percent). Travel during the academic year is likely for those who wish to travel. Student projects may lead to summer internships in Summer 2006.
?Policy on Scholastic Dishonesty: Students who violate University rules on scholastic dishonesty are subject to disciplinary penalties, including the possibility of failure in the course and/or dismissal from the University. Since such dishonesty harms the individual, all students, and the integrity of the University, policies on scholastic dishonesty will be strictly enforced. For further information, please visit the Student Judicial Services web site at: http://deanofstudents.utexas.edu/sjs/Return to Fall 2005 Course Schedule