Water Governance and Conflict Resolution

Snapshot

Overview

This programme is focussed on Water and Governance, and is organised by two institutions with complementary specialisations: UNESCO Centre for Water Law, Policy and Science, University of Dundee, UK (UNESCO-Dundee); and UNESCO-IHE Institute for Higher Education, Delft, the Netherlands (UNESCO-IHE). Within the broad topic of water governance, students will develop a deep understanding of the legal, policy, managerial and scientific issues surrounding how water is governed at the local, national, regional and international level. Students will also be exposed to two University campuses: Dundee and Delft, thus enriching their learning experience.

This degree programme is unique throughout the world in the fact that it allows students to study the related disciplines of law, management, policy and science. Given the interdisciplinary nature of water – encompassing a range of economic, social and environmental aspects – it is being increasingly recognised that water resource experts from industry, government, international organisations, NGO's and academia must be familiar with a range of disciplines relevant to water. It is also the first degree programme to be offered collaboratively between UNESCO Centres and UNESCO Headquarters.

An alternative, MSc in Water Management (specialisation Water Conflict Management) route also exists, where students study only at UNESCO-IHE, for more information visit the course webpage on the UNESCO-IHE website.

Aims of the LLM Programme

This programme aims to equip existing and potential water experts with the knowledge and skills to address future world water challenges. Under the broad discipline of governance, students will develop knowledge and understanding in the areas of law, policy, management, science, institutions, alternative dispute resolution and leadership.

Programme Content

LLM students are required to complete 10 core modules and a dissertation within 15 months of full-time study (regulations permit a maximum of 24 months).

The first semester, October to May, will be delivered at UNESCO-IHE, where the students will take the following core modules:

• Principles of Integrated Water Resources Management
• The Water Resources System
• Introduction to Water and Governance
• Research and Management Skills
• Critical Institutional Analysis
• Fundamentals in Water Law
• Alternative Dispute Resolution

The second semester, June to December, will be delivered at UNESCO-Dundee, students will be required to complete the following modules:

• International Law of Water Resources
• National Water Law and Regulation
• Governance of Public and Private Water Services Provision
• Dissertation

The dissertation topic is selected by the student on the basis of a moderation process with an approved supervisor and will be in a subject area directly related to the topics available in the programme. This offers students an opportunity to conduct advanced research in a subject of their choosing.

Methods of Teaching & Assessment

The taught modules in this programme are delivered in a seminar based environment on the basis of directed reading and advance preparation by students. The participation of students in the seminar in this programme is a crucial element of the learning and teaching process. Students will be expected to make presentations and engage in sub-divided groups for consideration of the material outlined in the reading for each seminar. Formative assessment techniques will be used to assist students in their learning and extensive use will be made of the University's highly developed virtual learning environment, My Dundee.

Entry Requirements

Students will be expected to have an undergraduate degree in relevant discipline, for example, law, political science, geography, hydrology, and engineering, and preferably several years of relevant working experience.

If your first language is not English, then you need to demonstrate that you have a good command of the English language. Please check our Language Requirements page for full details, including University of Dundee English Language courses.

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