English

This course offers a broad overview on the fossil record of plants with special emphasis on evolution and biodiversity changes since the Palaeozoic. In this course basic principles of plant evolution from the Palaeozoic to present-day are discussed. The major steps of terrestrialization are placed into a comprehensive overview on feedbacks between large-scale geosphere processes such as plate tectonics, atmosphere-biosphere interactions, and the global carbon cycle through time. The second goal is to critically reflect on natural dynamics of biodiversity versus modern biodiversity loss, the human induced “mass-extinction” of the 21st century. The course includes assignments such as rock and fossil labs, computer aided labs, and a one day practical held in the botanical garden.

This course focuses on contemporary international institutions aimed at addressing matters of pressing global concern. It is, most of all, concerned with the practical policy challenges of governance: what should be done to reduce violence and promote peace, justice, and human rights, and how can these goals be achieved in a world of finite resources and competing interests? The course begins by introducing the range of actors in global governance. Students then reflect on major theoretical approaches concerning the origins and efficacy of global institutions, asking 'when do institutions matter, and how?' The second half of the module applies these analytic lenses to case studies including disarmament, humanitarian intervention, the International Criminal Court, and the human rights regime. 

This course explores the ways the two Koreas, North and South, have coped with the dictate of international politics since the national division. It examines this question by highlighting and explaining the defining characteristics of the both systems in the context of their respective political change, economic development, national security, human rights and response to globalization as results of their respective choices of national survival, political development and economic prosperity.

Prerequisite: Introductory course on Korean politics

Just as much as the city is a physical reality we all deal with in our daily lives, it is, and always has been, an idea. From ancient history onwards, planned cities (Caliph Al-Mansur's legendary Round City of Baghdad, Brasília) were thought up before they were built, and many cities of the imagination, such as Jonathan Swift's magnetic island of Laputa, were never built at all. While the biblical New Jerusalem was meant to inspire awe and glorify God, and Renaissance utopias illustrated a particular type of social organization, the modern imaginary cities that can be found in experimental urban planning, in literature and film offer a critique of contemporary urban life or serve as models for change. This course explores the history of the imaginary city from ancient times to the present, highlights a number of historical futuristic concepts such as Constant's New Babylon, and explores ideas ranging from a "velotopia" to the libertarian dream of seasteading. Student presentations round out the discussion by "visiting" imaginary cities in literature, film, land art, and gaming.

This course is part of the LM degree program and is intended for advanced level students. Enrollment is by consent of the instructor. The course is organized into two highly interactive modules which discuss how to address business communication challenges and develop crucial skills to effectively navigate the workplace environment. These include (but are not limited to) such skills as: team building, public speaking, management of team dynamics, and professional business writing. This course is graded pass/no pass only.