Information Package / Course Catalogue
UGS 503 Water Resources and International Security I
MEF University
Degree Programs
International Security and Strategic Studies (Thesis)
General Information For Students
Diploma SupplementErasmus Policy Statement
International Security and Strategic Studies (Thesis)
Master Length of the Programme: 2 Number of Credits: 120 TR-NQF-HE: Level 7 QF-EHEA: Second Cycle EQF: Level 7

ECTS Course Information Package

School/Faculty/Institute Graduate School
Course Code UGS 503
Course Title in English Water Resources and International Security I
Course Title in Turkish Su Kaynakları ve Uluslararası Güvenlik
Language of Instruction TR
Type of Course Seminar
Level of Course Advanced
Semester Fall
Contact Hours per Week
Lecture: 2 Recitation: Lab: Other:
Estimated Student Workload 149 hours per semester
Number of Credits 6 ECTS
Grading Mode Standard Letter Grade
Pre-requisites None
Co-requisites None
Expected Prior Knowledge N/A
Registration Restrictions Only graduate students
Overall Educational Objective To understand the historical-conceptual development of water resources policies and the impact of transboundary water policies on international relations.
Course Description This course addresses many dimensions of the transboundary water resources management and analyzes evolving water management paradigms. Introductory part encompasses the reasons for current water crisis in the world in general, and in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in particular. The terminology that will be extensively used during the lectures is presented (e.g., upstream, riparian, transboundary, river basin, IWRM, equitable, allocation etc.). Secondly, the course is designed to highlight why water plays such an important role in the international relations of the MENA by looking into the past and potential inter-state disputes over water with specific references to the Nile, Jordan and Euphrates-Tigris river basins. The origins and the evolution of the water disputes in these regions; historical overview of water negotiation frameworks, and the initiatives for cooperation are studied. The course culminates with the analysis of the possible situations of conflict or cooperation over the use of limited water resources of the MENA. The focus is set on the ongoing debate among scholars on the issue of utilization of the disputed waters in the region, as well as the likelihood of a conflict that would be a result of the worsening situation of water supply/demand balance as well as unfair distribution of existing scarce resources. In the debate one can delineate basically three groups of scholars whose views can be associated with either of the three influential schools of thought in the International Relations theory such as “realists,” “liberal political economists;” and “institutionalists.”

Course Learning Outcomes and Competences

Upon successful completion of the course, the learner is expected to be able to:
1) learn the historical development of global water resources policy;
2) understand the basic concepts of water resources management;
3) Analyzing transboundary water policies in the Middle East;
4) Abalyze the theoretical relationship between transboundary water policies and the discipline of International Relations.
Program Learning Outcomes/Course Learning Outcomes 1 2 3 4
1) Understanding the basic concepts of international security and strategy.
2) Ability to analyze the security and defense policies and strategies of particular states.
3) Awareness of ethical values that govern the making of foreign and security policies.
4) Extensive knowledge about global governance and international organizations that shape the world politics.
5) Ability to express opinion on the causes and consequences of world events.
6) Extensive knowledge about Turkey’s foreign and security policies.
7) Extensive knowledge about international terrorism
8) Extensive knowledge about the literature on the prominent thinkers and philosophers in the field of political science.
9) Ability to conduct research on specific cases in European security and to write papers.
10) Awareness of impact of environmental change and scarcity of natural resources on the conduct of international politics.

Relation to Program Outcomes and Competences

N None S Supportive H Highly Related
     
Program Outcomes and Competences Level Assessed by
1) Understanding the basic concepts of international security and strategy. N
2) Ability to analyze the security and defense policies and strategies of particular states. N
3) Awareness of ethical values that govern the making of foreign and security policies. N
4) Extensive knowledge about global governance and international organizations that shape the world politics. N
5) Ability to express opinion on the causes and consequences of world events. N
6) Extensive knowledge about Turkey’s foreign and security policies. N
7) Extensive knowledge about international terrorism N
8) Extensive knowledge about the literature on the prominent thinkers and philosophers in the field of political science. N
9) Ability to conduct research on specific cases in European security and to write papers. N
10) Awareness of impact of environmental change and scarcity of natural resources on the conduct of international politics. N
Prepared by and Date AYŞEGÜL KİBAROĞLU , January 2024
Course Coordinator AYŞEGÜL KİBAROĞLU
Semester Fall
Name of Instructor Prof. Dr. AYŞEGÜL KİBAROĞLU

Course Contents

Week Subject
1)
2) Evolution of global water politics
3) Transboundary Water Resources in the Middle East: Jordan/Jordan river basin
4) Transboundary Water Resources in the Middle East Nile River Basin
5) Transboundary Water Resources in the Middle East: Euphrates-Tigris river basin
6) "Water Wars" Scenarios and Realistic Approach
7) Political economy of water
8) International Water Law and Water Problems in the Middle East
9) International Relations Theories and Transboundary Water Policies
10) Presentation of Term Papers
11) Presentation of Term Papers
12) Presentation of Term Papers
13) Presentation of Term Papers
14) Presentation of Term Papers
15) Final Exam Period
16) Final Exam Period
Required/Recommended ReadingsA. Kibaroğlu, “Küresel Su Politikaları ve Havza Yönetimi” Haber Bülteni, TMMOB Jeoloji Mühendisleri Odası, Eylül 2006, ss. 46-49. A. Kibaroğlu, “Küresel İklim Değişikliğinin Sınıraşan Su politikalarına Etkileri” TMMOB 2. Su Politikaları Kongresi Bildiriler Kitabi, Cilt 2, TMMOB İnşaat Mühendisleri Odası, Mart 2008, ss. 347-57. A. Kibaroğlu ve V. Sümer, “Sınıraşan Nehirlerdeki Su Uyuşmazlıklarına Farklı Yaklaşımlar: Uluslararası İlişkiler Disiplini Ne Sunabilir?” Uluslararası İlişkiler Dergisi, Cilt 3, Sayı 12, ss. 21-48. 2007.
Teaching MethodsThe course consists of lectures by the instructor and student presentations. Students present their term papers in class. Discussions are held on these presentations with the participation of the class.
Homework and ProjectsThe course consists of lectures by the instructor and student presentations. Students present their term papers in class. Discussions are held on these presentations with the participation of the class.
Laboratory WorkN/A
Computer UseN/A
Other ActivitiesN/A
Assessment Methods
Assessment Tools Count Weight
Attendance 1 % 10
Homework Assignments 1 % 60
Presentation 1 % 30
TOTAL % 100
Course Administration aysegul.kibaroglu@mef.edu.tr
A Building
• Derslere devamlılık esastır. Ödevlerin ders izleğinde belirtilen tarihlerde teslim edilmesi gereklidir. • Akademik dürüst olmama ve intihal durumlarında YÖK Disiplin Yönetmeliği uygulanır.

ECTS Student Workload Estimation

Activity No/Weeks Hours Calculation
No/Weeks per Semester Preparing for the Activity Spent in the Activity Itself Completing the Activity Requirements
Course Hours 14 2 2 2 84
Homework Assignments 5 11 2 65
Total Workload 149
Total Workload/25 6.0
ECTS 6