This course engages students in one of the critical environmental issues of the 21st century: freshwater scarcity. It is an issue that intersects with other environmental, economic and political issues such as food, biodiversity, trade, international security, global justice. Questions are raised concerning international cooperation, local-global interactions, collective action, sustainability, development, trade, North-South relations, equity, and diplomatic practice. The first part of the course deals with substance--water use and misuse--and the processes of reaching agreement--negotiation. Water includes the biophysical conditions and the social determinants of increasing scarcity. Negotiations include theory (from game theory to legal to interpersonal and diplomatic) and practice (one-on-one negotiating, mediating, multilateral, diplomacy). The second part of the course is a multiparty negotiation where students and staff are entirely in role. The course combines features of a seminar (readings and discussion), a lecture, and a lab (simulation).

Intended audience: Primarily juniors and seniors with a background in environmental policy and international relations.

Course Requirements: Active participation; several quizzes, mid-term, and take-home final; team research and poster presentation.