Spring 2018
Contemporary International Issues
(AGR 202)
(2nd Term) 2017_2018
Course Description:
This course examines the global challenges affecting food production, focusing on current issues (Food Security) that illustrate these challenges. Students will investigate a range of topics including water, energy, and environmental aspects, regional disparities in the ability to meet basic human needs, and protection of the natural environment in an attempt to help students to appreciate the natural resources, to provide them with some historical perspective on the present status of the planetary environment; to give students opportunities to analyze specific environmental quality issues and to familiarize them with the ideas and practices of managing resources and environments according to the principles of sustainable development.
Grading
Mid Term Exam (April 4, 2018)
.................................................... 15%
Term paper and class
activity....................................................... 15% (How
to write term paper)
Oral Exam (May 2, 2018).............................................................. 10%
Final Exam ................................................................................ ... 60%
Course Content (Class Notes in pdf)
1. Water Issues:
1.1 Water Security
1.1.1 Introduction and global water balance .......................... (ppt in pdf)
1.1.2 Water resources in Africa ............................................. (ppt in pdf)
1.1.3 Water resources in the Arab World .............
1.1.4 Nile water, Water resources in Egypt and High Dam .. (ppt in pdf)
1.1.5 Water pollution ........................................................ (ppt in pdf)
1.1.6 Water challenges in Ethiopia
1.2 Transboundary Rivers (Nile River)
1.2.1 Ethiopian water sources ............................................ (ppt in pdf)
1.2.2 Equatorial water sources
1.2.3 Southern Sudan
1.3 Ethiopian Renaissance Dam .................................................... (ppt in pdf)
2. Energy Resources issues: (ppt in pdf)
2.1 Non-renewable energy resources (fossil oil, natural gas, coal, uranium).
2.2 Renewable energy resources (solar, wind, geothermal, hydroelectricity, biomass, biofuels, nuclear
power).
4. Desertification issues: (ppt in pdf)
4.1 Drought, Potential Evapotranspiration, deforestation, overgrazing, urbanization.
4.2 Sand dune encroachment.
Last updated in April 18, 2018