Course Syllabus
Contact Information
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Professor Mark Meo Professor Emeritus Civil Engineering & Environmental Science Geography and Environmental Sustainability |
Email: mmeo@ou.edu Campus Office: Room 684-B in the Sarkeys Energy Center
Live Session: Thursdays, 7:00-8:30 p.m. Central Time (5-minute break at 7:45) Zoom link: HERE https://oklahoma.zoom.us/j/97223749322?pwd=VE03WmJZeGZ2aU5tNFBLNSs1ZFV3UT09 Meeting ID: 972 2374 9322 Password: 22371914
Areas of Interests and Expertise
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Course Details
Course Purpose
In recent years innovations in water technology and water policy have become key issues for water professionals, political leaders, and the growing public. In contrast to other technical systems, water innovation has been marked by a very slow pace of change, due largely to the fragmented character of the water supply and distribution systems, its relatively long-lived infrastructure, and the absence of a strong market demand for, or adequate investment in, new water technologies. Nevertheless, in the U.S. and elsewhere there exists considerable interest in the research, development, and deployment of new water technologies such as desalination and recycling. In light of water’s multiple functions in nature and society, water technologies are often guided by water policies which also share the fragmented characteristics of water systems more generally. With numerous agency and utility oversights and responsibilities, the absence of a coherent approach to mapping out a rational future for water development that meets the growing needs of domestic and international communities has become a pressing social challenge.
This course addresses the key issues in water innovation that are inclusive of the major elements central to understanding the innovation processes that determine how new water systems are designed, developed, and delivered. This approach aligns with calls for a more integrated perspective on technology, policy, and organizations. Presented in three substantive sections, the course encompasses water technologies and their extended innovation processes. A basic understanding of technological innovation frameworks precedes discussion of water systems so that students can become better familiarized with the terminology used in the journal articles they will read. The second section addresses water policy in general as well as specific cases of policy innovation. The final section covers organizations and how they can become more innovative with respect to water systems. Emerging approaches that stimulate organizational innovation, such as Design Thinking, are described and discussed with students to give them a clear sense of how water agencies can improve their capacity to develop needed improvements in water applications in places where they work and elsewhere.
Course Prerequisites
This course is offered to both graduate students enrolled in the Hydrology and Water Security (HWS) program (Section 997) and undergraduate students (Section 995) who have an interest in water innovation.
Students do not need to have a social science or policy background to do well in this course.
Course Materials
These books are available through the OU Bookstore or through online bookstores. Note, the Steelman book is available online through the OU Libraries.
Required Texts - (2)
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- Implementing innovation: fostering enduring change in environmental and natural resource governance
by Toddi A. Steelman ©2010
- Implementing innovation: fostering enduring change in environmental and natural resource governance
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- Innovation by Design: How Any Organization Can Leverage Design Thinking to Produce Change, Drive New Ideas, and Deliver Meaningful Solutions – 2018
by Thomas Lockwood and Edgar Papke
- Innovation by Design: How Any Organization Can Leverage Design Thinking to Produce Change, Drive New Ideas, and Deliver Meaningful Solutions – 2018
Additional reading materials will be provided in the weekly Modules area, on the RESOURCES: Course Materials page, and on this Syllabus page in the Course Components section.
Grades
Breakdown
| Activity | Description | Points/Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment 1 | Written analysis of readings, lectures, and live sessions. | 30% |
| Written Assignment 2 | Written analysis of readings, lectures, and live sessions. | 30% |
| Written Assignment 3 | Written analysis of readings, lectures, and live sessions. | 30% |
| Homework 1 | Critical evaluation of course reference websites | 5% |
| Homework 2 | Critical evaluation of course reference websites | 5% |
| Class Participation | Strongly encouraged but not allocated credit | 0% |
| Total | 100% |
Scale
| Percentage | Letter Grade |
|---|---|
| 90–100% | A |
| 80–89% | B |
| 70–79% | C |
| 60–69% | D |
| Below 60% | F |
Course Components
| WEEK | READINGS AND RESEARCH | REFERENCE | ASSIGNMENT |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unit 1 Week 1 - Course Introduction |
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Think About Water Blog | |
| Unit 2: Technological Innovation and Water | |||
| Week 2: The (Modified) Innovation Process |
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Isaacson, W. (2012). The real leadership lessons of Steve Jobs. Harvard business review, 90(4), 92-102. | |
| Week 3 – Water Technological Innovation Projects | Kalundborg Symbiosis Website | Homework 1 Due | |
| Week 4 - Water Innovation Research 1 |
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| Week 5 – Water Innovation Research 2 |
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| Week 6 – Water Innovation Research 3 |
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Written Assignment 1 Due | |
| Unit 3: Policy Innovation | |||
| Week 7 - Policy Innovation Research 1 |
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| Week 8 - Policy Innovation Research 2 |
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| Week 9 – Spring Break (March 11-19) | |||
| Week 10 - Policy Innovation Research 3 |
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| Week 11 - Policy Innovation Research 4 |
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Written Assignment 2 Due | |
| Unit 4 - Organizational Innovation | |||
| Week 12 - Organizational Innovation Research 1 |
From the book On Design Thinking, HBR’S 10 Must Reads, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston, MA. 2020.
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| Week 13 - Organizational Innovation Research 2 |
From the book On Design Thinking, HBR’S 10 Must Reads, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston, MA. 2020.
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Homework 2 Due | |
| Week 14 - Organizational Innovation Research 3 |
From the book On Design Thinking, HBR’S 10 Must Reads, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston, MA. 2020.
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| Week 15 - Organizational Innovation Research 4 |
From the book On Design Thinking, HBR’S 10 Must Reads, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston, MA. 2020.
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| Week 16 - Organizational Innovation Research 5 |
From the book On Design Thinking, HBR’S 10 Must Reads, Harvard Business Review Press, Boston, MA. 2020.
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Written Assignment 3 Due | |
Course Activities
Live Sessions via Zoom
🟡Held each week on Thursdays from 7:00 pm – 8:30 pm, with a short break from 7:45 to 7:50 pm.
Students are expected to attend the weekly live session and be prepared to participate in class discussions about the assigned readings. Every student is expected to participate. Do not worry about participating in every class, but routine discussion is expected.
You will be able to view a recording of the live sessions if you can not participate during the sessions.
If rescheduling is necessary, an announcement will be made in Canvas.
Written Assignments (3)
One of the criticisms made about students in technical fields is their relatively weak skills in written communication. These course assignments are designed to help students improve their writing talent and their overall ability to communicate the course material.
🟡Each of the three written assignments is due on the day of the live session. The first two assignments are due 1 week after they are given to students. The third assignment is due after 2 weeks. Students will be given a detailed set of guidelines to follow for the completion of each assignment and should not be at a disadvantage in drafting a coherent paper.
Homework Assignments (2)
The homework assignments are intended to aid students skills in critical thinking and evaluation.
Assignment Schedule
| Assignment | Available During | Due During |
|---|---|---|
| Written Assignment 1 | Week 5 | Week 6 |
| Written Assignment 2 | Week 10 | Week 11 |
| Written Assignment 3 | Week 14 | Week 16 |
| Homework 1 | Week 2 | Week 3 |
| Homework 2 | Week 12 | Week 13 |
Final Exam
There is no scheduled final exam for the course. Student grades are based on the assigned writing and homework assignments. Class participation is encouraged but is not factored into the course grade.
Course Policies
Communication Plan
All email sent to you by your instructor (important announcements, grade information, etc. will be sent to the email registered in your name at the University of Oklahoma. If you use a different Internet Service Provider for email, you need to notify OU or you will not receive emails from your instructor. You can easily change your account email by going to account.ou.edu or calling the OU IT department (405-325-4636).
Since this course is offered online through Zoom, students who wish to speak with the instructor in confidence should email him (mmeo@ou.edu) to arrange a telephone call. Otherwise, there will be time to speak with the instructor during class. You may also set up an in-person office visit; contact me first by email for more information.
For technical support with Canvas or other University systems, call 405-325-4636.
Late Policy
If students know in advance that he/she will miss a deadline, it is the student’s responsibility to make arrangements with the instructor prior to that deadline. Students missing a deadline without prior arrangement or a legitimate emergency will receive a 5% deduction per day. The grade will be reduced for late work without exception, unless special exception has been granted in writing by your instructor and/or course facilitator due to documented extraordinary circumstances.
Pre-Approved Absences
The instructor shall have the authority to grant “pre-approved absences”, provided the student provides any requested documentation regarding the absence. If a student is granted pre-approved absences for unavoidable and necessary issues, the student will be able to work ahead in their classes. Pre-Approved Absences for online courses will not be granted for business travel or vacations, as students are expected to take laptops, texts, and materials with them to continue their studies.
For Students with Disabilities
Any student in this course who has a disability that may prevent them from fully demonstrating their abilities should contact me personally as soon as possible so we can discuss accommodation necessary to ensure full participation and facilitate your educational opportunities.
Basic Principle of Academic Integrity
Academic integrity means honesty and responsibility in scholarship. Academic assignments exist to help students learn; grades exist to show how fully this goal is attained. Therefore, all work and all grades should result from the student's own understanding and effort.
University Academic Policies and Student Support
Course Catalog
Search the OU Course Catalog.
Student Handbook
Please familiarize yourself with the OU Student Handbook.
Student Support Services
OU offers a variety of services to support students. For more information, please refer to the Student Support Module in your Orientation course.
Online Library
Access digital materials and other resources at OU Libraries.
Land Acknowledgement
Long before the University of Oklahoma was established, the land on which the University now resides was the traditional home of the “Hasinais” Caddo Nation and “Kirikirʔi:s” Wichita & Affiliated Tribes.
We acknowledge this territory once also served as a hunting ground, trade exchange point, and migration route for the Apache, Comanche, Kiowa and Osage nations. Today, 39 tribal nations dwell in the state of Oklahoma as a result of settler and colonial policies that were designed to assimilate Native people.
The University of Oklahoma recognizes the historical connection our university has with its indigenous community. We acknowledge, honor and respect the diverse Indigenous peoples connected to this land. We fully recognize, support and advocate for the sovereign rights of all of Oklahoma’s 39 tribal nations. This acknowledgment is aligned with our university’s core value of creating a diverse and inclusive community. It is an institutional responsibility to recognize and acknowledge the people, culture and history that make up our entire OU Community.
Copyright Statement and Privacy Information
Sessions of this course may be recorded or live-streamed. These recordings are the intellectual property of the individual faculty member and may not be shared or reproduced without the explicit, written consent of the faculty member. In addition, privacy rights of others such as students, guest lecturers, and providers of copyrighted material displayed in the recording may be of concern. Students may not share any course recordings with individuals not enrolled in the class or upload them to any other online environment.
Academic Integrity
As a member of the OU community, it is your responsibility to protect your educational investment by knowing and following the rules. The Student Code is available from the Office of the Vice President for Student Affairs, and is contained in the Student's Guide to Academic Integrity.
Academic honesty is incredibly important within this course. Cheating is strictly prohibited at the University of Oklahoma, because it devalues the degree you are working hard to get. Should you know of someone else engaging in academic misconduct, please report it to your instructor or directly to the Office of Academic Integrity. Your instructor has a professional obligation to report academic misconduct.
In addition to the course conduct policies outlined by your professor in the Course Syllabus in the online classroom, please review the Graduate Student Handbook.
Religious Observance
It is the policy of the University to excuse the absences of students that result from religious observances and to reschedule examinations and additional required classwork that may fall on religious holidays, without penalty. [See Faculty Handbook 3.15.2].
Reasonable Accommodation for Disabilities
The Accessibility and Disability Resource Center (ADRC) is committed to supporting students with disabilities to ensure that they are able to enjoy equal access to all components of their education. This includes your academics, housing, and community events. Please review OU's Accessibility Policy.
If you are experiencing a disability, a mental/medical health condition that has a significant impact on one or more life functions, you can receive accommodations to provide equal access. Possible disabilities include but are not limited to learning disabilities, AD(H)D, mental health, and chronic health. Additionally, we support students with temporary medical conditions (broken wrist, shoulder surgery, etc.) and pregnancy.
To discuss potential accommodations, please contact the ADRC at 730 College Avenue, (phone) 405-325-3852, or adrc@ou.edu.
Title IX Resources
Anyone who has been impacted by gender-based violence, including dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment, and sexual assault, deserves access to resources so that they are supported personally and academically.
The University of Oklahoma is committed to offering resources to those impacted, including: speaking with someone confidentially about your options, medical attention, counseling, reporting, academic support, and safety plans. If you would like to speak with someone confidentially, please contact OU Advocates (available 24/7 at 405-615-0013) or another confidential resource (see "Can I make an anonymous report?").
You may also choose to report gender-based violence and discrimination through other means, including by contacting the Institutional Equity Office (ieo@ou.edu, 405-325-3546) or the police (911).
Because the University of Oklahoma is committed to the safety of you and other students, I, as well as other faculty, Graduate Assistants, and Teaching Assistants, are mandatory reporters. This means that we are obligated to report gender-based violence that has been disclosed to us to the Institutional Equity Office. This includes disclosures that occur in class discussions, writing assignments, discussion boards, emails, and during Student/Office Hours.
For more information, please visit the Institutional Equity Office.
Adjustments for Pregnancy/Childbirth Related Issues
Should you need modifications or adjustments to your course requirements because of documented pregnancy-related or childbirth-related issues, please contact me as soon as possible to discuss your options. Generally, modifications will be made where medically necessary and similar in scope to accommodations based on temporary disability. Learn more about the rights of pregnant and parenting students by consulting the FAQ sheets provided by the Institutional Equity Office.
Mental Health Support Services
If you are experiencing any mental health issues that are impacting your academic performance, counseling is available at the University Counseling Center (UCC). The Center is located on the second floor of the Goddard Health Center, at 620 Elm Rm. 201, Norman, OK 73019. To schedule an appointment, call 405-325-2911. For more information, please visit the University Counseling Center.
Final Exam Preparation Period
Pre-finals week will be defined as the seven calendar days before the first day of finals. Faculty may cover new course material throughout this week. For specific provisions of the policy please refer to OU's Final Exam Preparation Period policy.
Required Policies for Students On Campus
Emergency Protocol
During an emergency, there are official university procedures that will maximize your safety.
Severe Weather: If you receive an OU Alert to seek refuge or hear a tornado siren that signals severe weather:
- Look for severe weather refuge location maps located inside most OU buildings near the entrances
- Seek refuge inside a building. Do not leave one building to seek shelter in another building that you deem safer. If outside, get into the nearest building.
- Go to the building’s severe weather refuge location. If you do not know where that is, go to the lowest level possible and seek refuge in an innermost room. Avoid outside doors and windows.
- Get in, Get Down, Cover Up.
- Wait for official notice to resume normal activities.
Additional Weather Safety Information is available through the Department of Campus Safety.
Severe Weather Preparedness Video
Armed Subject/Campus Intruder
If you receive an OU Alert to shelter-in-place due to an active shooter or armed intruder situation or you hear what you perceive to be gunshots:
- Avoid: If you believe you can get out of the area without encountering the armed individual, move quickly towards the nearest building exit, move away from the building, and call 911.
- Deny: If you cannot flee, move to an area that can be locked or barricaded, turn off lights, silence devices, spread out, and formulate a plan of attack if the shooter enters the room.
- Defend: As a last resort fight to defend yourself. For more information, visit:
OU's Emergency Preparedness site
Shots Fire on Campus Procedure
Fire Alarm/General Emergency
If you receive an OU Alert that there is danger inside or near the building, or the fire alarm inside the building activates:
- Leave the building. Do not use the elevators.
- Know at least two building exits
- Assist those that may need help
- Proceed to the emergency assembly area
- Once safely outside, Notify first responders of anyone that may still be inside the building due to mobility issues.
- Wait for official notice before attempting to re-enter the building.