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Prof Dale Whittington
and
Dr Duncan Thomas
Our course explores what can be done to solve the complex problem that half a billion people worldwide do not have improved water supplies and two billion do not have improved sanitation. We look forward to you joining us. We want to help you develop the skills you need to address this major global challenge of the 21st century.
Read more
Our course explores what can be done to solve the complex problem that half a billion people worldwide do not have improved water supplies and two billion do not have improved sanitation. We look forward to you joining us. We want to help you develop the skills you need to address this major global challenge of the 21st century.
Read more
Our course explores what can be done to solve the complex problem that half a billion people worldwide do not have improved water supplies and two billion do not have improved sanitation. We look forward to you joining us. We want to help you develop the skills you need to address this major global challenge of the 21st century.
Our course has informative video lectures and guest interviews with leading water policy scholars and practitioners. We will provide you with discussion forum topic prompts, which will invite you to engage with other learners from around the globe. Our MOOC will also ask you to attempt weekly quizzes and a challenging assignment that tackles a real water and sanitation problem in a difficult setting.
Please watch this trailer: https://youtu.be/Q-HmaCZNd0k
Register for this course and see more details by visiting:
OpenCourser.com/course/mszdpe/water
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What's inside
Syllabus
Introducing Key Facts about Water and Sanitation Services
Understanding the Political Economy of Water
Supply-Side Costs of Water and Sanitation Services
Read more
Syllabus
Introducing Key Facts about Water and Sanitation Services
Understanding the Political Economy of Water
Supply-Side Costs of Water and Sanitation Services
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores best practices to enhance global water and sanitation initiatives
Provides diverse perspectives from experts in the water and sanitation field
Instructors are experienced professionals in water and sanitation policy
Engages learners with interactive quizzes and practical assignments
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Reviews summary
Understanding global water policy problems
According to learners, this course provides a positive and comprehensive overview of the complex challenges in global water supply and sanitation policy, particularly in developing countries. Students highlight the insightful video lectures and the inclusion of expert guest interviews as significant strengths. The challenging assignment, which simulates a real-world problem, is frequently mentioned as a valuable learning experience, helping learners apply concepts. While the course covers a broad range of topics, some reviewers feel it serves best as a foundational introduction and might require further study for deep expertise. The forum discussions are noted as contributing to a global perspective.
Covers many topics, provides overview.
"This course gives a great broad introduction to the topic areas."
"It provides a solid foundation, touching upon various aspects of water policy."
"I got a good overview of the political economy, health links, and financing issues."
Explores multifaceted global issues.
"The course effectively frames water and sanitation as complex, interconnected problems."
"It helped me understand the many layers involved in water policy in different contexts."
"Really underscores the 'complex problems' mentioned in the title, covering political, economic, and social angles."
Prompts encourage diverse perspectives.
"The discussion prompts were thought-provoking and led to interesting exchanges with learners worldwide."
"I learned a lot from reading the perspectives of others in different countries."
"Engaging with peers in the forums added another dimension to the learning."
Video lectures and guests are insightful.
"The video lectures were clear, well-structured, and easy to follow."
"Guest speakers added a lot of real-world perspective and made the content richer."
"I found the presentations by the main instructors and the guests very informative and engaging."
Tackles real-world water problems.
"The final assignment was difficult but incredibly useful for applying what I learned."
"Working on the case study really solidified my understanding of the practical challenges."
"I appreciated having to think through a realistic water policy scenario for the assignment."
Better for breadth than deep dives.
"While broad, I sometimes wished for more depth on specific policy mechanisms or financing models."
"It's a great introduction, but don't expect to become an expert in one specific area."
"The course gives you the lay of the land, but for deeper knowledge, you'd need further study."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems with these
activities:
Review selected sections of college physics and engineering
Show steps
Review key concepts from college physics and engineering to strengthen foundational knowledge in support of this water and sanitation course.
Show steps
-
Review the principles of fluid mechanics, including buoyancy, pressure, and flow.
-
Revisit the concepts of water treatment processes, including filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection.
-
Refresh your understanding of water distribution systems, including pipe networks and pumps.
Read 'Water and Sanitation for the 21st Century'
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the global water and sanitation crisis, its causes, and potential solutions.
View
The World's Water 2006-2007: The Biennial...
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the introduction and opening chapters to gain an overview of the book's main arguments.
-
Review the sections on water scarcity, sanitation challenges, and health impacts.
-
Explore the proposed solutions, including technological advancements and policy frameworks.
Create a multimedia presentation on the importance of water conservation
Show steps
Engage in a creative exercise that combines research and communication skills to raise awareness about water conservation.
Browse courses on
Water Conservation
Show steps
-
Gather information on the importance of water conservation.
-
Develop visually appealing and informative slides or videos.
-
Practice presenting your message clearly and concisely.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a workshop on water and sanitation technologies
Show steps
Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and practical applications in the field of water and sanitation.
Browse courses on
Sanitation Technologies
Show steps
-
Identify workshops organized by reputable institutions or industry leaders.
-
Attend the workshop(s) and engage actively in discussions and demonstrations.
-
Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers to continue learning.
Develop a water and sanitation project proposal
Show steps
Apply the principles learned in the course to design a project that addresses water and sanitation challenges in a real-world context.
Show steps
-
Identify a specific water or sanitation issue in a community.
-
Research and analyze the root causes and contributing factors.
-
Develop a project plan outlining the proposed intervention, implementation strategy, and monitoring framework.
Design a rainwater harvesting system for a community
Show steps
Put your understanding of water supply and sanitation into practice by designing a sustainable solution for a community's water needs.
Show steps
-
Assess the community's water needs and available rainfall data.
-
Design the rainwater harvesting system, including the collection, storage, and distribution components.
-
Estimate the system's capacity and potential impact on water availability.
Contribute to open-source water monitoring projects
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience in water monitoring techniques and data analysis while contributing to a real-world community effort.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
-
Identify open-source water monitoring projects aligned with your interests.
-
Join the community and learn about the project's goals and methods.
-
Contribute to data collection, analysis, or visualization tasks.
Review selected sections of college physics and engineering
Show steps
Review key concepts from college physics and engineering to strengthen foundational knowledge in support of this water and sanitation course.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review the principles of fluid mechanics, including buoyancy, pressure, and flow.
- Revisit the concepts of water treatment processes, including filtration, sedimentation, and disinfection.
- Refresh your understanding of water distribution systems, including pipe networks and pumps.
Read 'Water and Sanitation for the 21st Century'
Show steps
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the global water and sanitation crisis, its causes, and potential solutions.
View
The World's Water 2006-2007: The Biennial...
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the introduction and opening chapters to gain an overview of the book's main arguments.
- Review the sections on water scarcity, sanitation challenges, and health impacts.
- Explore the proposed solutions, including technological advancements and policy frameworks.
Create a multimedia presentation on the importance of water conservation
Show steps
Engage in a creative exercise that combines research and communication skills to raise awareness about water conservation.
Browse courses on
Water Conservation
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Gather information on the importance of water conservation.
- Develop visually appealing and informative slides or videos.
- Practice presenting your message clearly and concisely.
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Attend a workshop on water and sanitation technologies
Show steps
Gain exposure to cutting-edge technologies and practical applications in the field of water and sanitation.
Browse courses on
Sanitation Technologies
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify workshops organized by reputable institutions or industry leaders.
- Attend the workshop(s) and engage actively in discussions and demonstrations.
- Follow up with the workshop organizers or speakers to continue learning.
Develop a water and sanitation project proposal
Show steps
Apply the principles learned in the course to design a project that addresses water and sanitation challenges in a real-world context.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify a specific water or sanitation issue in a community.
- Research and analyze the root causes and contributing factors.
- Develop a project plan outlining the proposed intervention, implementation strategy, and monitoring framework.
Design a rainwater harvesting system for a community
Show steps
Put your understanding of water supply and sanitation into practice by designing a sustainable solution for a community's water needs.
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Assess the community's water needs and available rainfall data.
- Design the rainwater harvesting system, including the collection, storage, and distribution components.
- Estimate the system's capacity and potential impact on water availability.
Contribute to open-source water monitoring projects
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience in water monitoring techniques and data analysis while contributing to a real-world community effort.
Browse courses on
Open Source
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify open-source water monitoring projects aligned with your interests.
- Join the community and learn about the project's goals and methods.
- Contribute to data collection, analysis, or visualization tasks.
Career center
Learners who complete Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Water Resource Manager
Water Resource Manager
You may also consider becoming a Water Resource Manager. Water Resource Managers design and implement programs to protect and manage water resources. This course will give you an overview of water and sanitation supply chains and the challenges that developing nations face. It could help you build your understanding of the field.
Civil Engineer
Civil Engineer
The course will also be helpful if you wish to become a Civil Engineer. Civil Engineers work on infrastructure projects, including water and sanitation projects. This course could help you understand the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, which can help you better understand the scope of Civil Engineering.
Water Policy Analyst
Water Policy Analyst
If you are interested in a career as a Water Policy Analyst, this course could help you build a foundation. Water Policy Analysts study and evaluate water policies and regulations. This course covers water supply and sanitation policy in developing countries, which will give you an introduction to the field.
Sanitation Engineer
Sanitation Engineer
Those who wish to become Sanitation Engineers may also find this course useful. Sanitation Engineers design and build sanitation systems. The course covers water and sanitation supply chains, sanitation design, and environmental health engineering. This will give you an introduction to the field and the work that you would do as a Sanitation Engineer.
Water Supply Engineer
Water Supply Engineer
If you want to be a Water Supply Engineer, this course can provide a foundation. Water Supply Engineers design and build water supply systems. This course introduces water supply and sanitation policy in developing countries, which will give you an understanding of the challenges of working in the field.
Environmental Engineer
Environmental Engineer
If you want to be an Environmental Engineer, this course can help you build a foundation. As an Environmental Engineer, you will be working on implementing solutions to environmental problems. The course covers water supply and sanitation, which are examples of global environmental problems. This course will allow you to connect theoretical knowledge to real-world problems.
Water Economist
Water Economist
You may want to consider Water Economist if you enjoy Economics. Water Economists analyze the economic aspects of water resources. This course will help you understand water supply and sanitation in developing countries, which can help you understand how water economics might work in the field.
Environmental Consultant
Environmental Consultant
This course may be useful to those interested in becoming an Environmental Consultant. Environmental Consultants work with businesses and governments to help them understand and comply with environmental regulations. They also provide advice and guidance on environmental issues. This course will give you an understanding of water and sanitation policy in developing countries, which may be of interest to potential employers.
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Water Treatment Plant Operator
Individuals interested in working as a Water Treatment Plant Operator may also benefit from this course. Water Treatment Plant Operators monitor and maintain water treatment facilities. This course will provide you with a basic understanding of the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, as well as the fundamentals of water treatment.
Hydrologist
Hydrologist
This course could be useful for building a career as a Hydrologist. A Hydrologist studies the movement of water on, above, and below the surface of the Earth. A basic understanding of water supply and sanitation is useful for any Hydrologist and this course can provide you with a foundation for further study.
Water Resources Planner
Water Resources Planner
This could be a useful course for those who want to be Water Resources Planners. Water Resources Planners develop and implement plans to protect and manage water resources. This course will introduce you to the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, as well as the fundamentals of water resources management.
Water Conservation Specialist
Water Conservation Specialist
This course may be a good choice if you are interested in becoming a Water Conservation Specialist. Water Conservation Specialists develop and implement programs to conserve water resources. This course can help you gain an understanding of the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, as well as the fundamentals of water conservation.
Water Quality Manager
Water Quality Manager
Water Quality Managers may find this course helpful. Water Quality Managers oversee the quality of water resources. This course can provide you with an introduction to the challenges of water supply and sanitation in developing countries, which will give you an understanding of the field.
Water Quality Scientist
Water Quality Scientist
If you are interested in the quality of water, you can pursue a career as a Water Quality Scientist. Water Quality Scientists conduct research on water quality and environmental health. This course will give you an introduction to the issues of water supply and sanitation faced by developing nations, and will introduce you to the fundamentals of sanitation and water treatment.
Geologist
Geologist
This Water Supply and Sanitation Policy course can provide a useful foundation for a career in Geology. Geologists study the Earth's materials, and often specialize in water resources. A deep understanding of water supply and sanitation is necessary for a Geologist who specializes in water resources. This course can give you an introduction to these concepts.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/mszdpe/water
Reading list
We've selected seven books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
Water Supply and Sanitation Policy in Developing Countries Part 1: Understanding Complex Problems.
Examines the political economy of water management in developing countries and provides policy recommendations for improving the efficiency and equity of water use.
Provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the water, sanitation, and hygiene (WASH) sector and for developing and implementing WASH programs.
Provides a comprehensive overview of the state of the world's water resources and offers recommendations for sustainable water management.
Save
Examines the global water crisis and its implications for security and stability.
Examines the challenges facing water management in the 21st century.
Provides an overview of the relationship between water and the environment.
Save
Provides a historical overview of water management and its impact on human civilization.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/mszdpe/water
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Effort
1-3 hours per week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Manchester
Instructors
Prof Dale Whittington
Dr Duncan Thomas
Language
English
Transcripts
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پښتو
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