English

In this course we are surveying ideas and theories on the human being and on core aspects of human life across diverse religious and philosophical traditions, including more recent scientific accounts. We consider classic discussions involving issues such as the body and the soul, the relationship of humans with the world, notions of time and history, freedom and determinism, gender, the tension between the society and the individual, human religiosity, human knowledge, human morality and the value of humans. For this purpose, we make use of a selection of the greatest classic and modern texts, including literary and artistic works, and samples of popular discourses on the topics considered. The course aims at providing insights on implicit conceptions that underpin many contemporary discussions, discourses and narratives about different aspects of human existence.

This course explores theories of justice. It does this by engaging in a discussion with one of the most rewarding authors on how to interpret and understand theories of justice: Michael J. Sandel. In JUSTICE. WHAT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO? he introduces a selective number of theories of justice, from classical to modern and contemporary thinkers that can be used to better understand contested issues such as surrogate motherhood, equal rights, obligations regarding poverty eradication, and all kinds of everyday ethical dilemmas. The book of Sandel is supplemented with texts that highlight, criticize, or complement elements of the ethical theories as presented by Sandel. The course exists of a series of lectures as well as a series of seminars, meant to discuss and reflect upon the themes discussed in the book and the additional texts.

Strategic management forms an integral part of everyday business life. The course focuses on concepts, theories, and frameworks that help us to identify, analyze, and make strategic decisions at the firm and the corporate level. This course offers a mixture of lectures and case discussion based on team presentations and individual participations. The lectures are designed to introduce the key theoretical concepts, frameworks, and empirical findings of strategic management. Topics include competitive advantage, external environment analysis, internal resources and activity analysis, business-level strategy, corporate-level strategy

This course explores the transformations of East-Central Europe after the fall of state socialism in 1989. Rather than providing a simple transition story of marketization and democratization, the course looks at multiple and ambiguous paths taken, understanding the history of neoliberalism and postsocialist transformation as global, intertwined phenomena. From the dominance of the markets and persisting inequalities to the rise of illiberal politics, racism, and nationalist tensions, these transformations have shaped the whole of Europe and the world. The course examines several issues of contemporary East-Central Europe and the world, including the region's position towards the West, the legacy of Communism, memory and decolonization, the formation of capitalism and its impacts, human rights, the links between nation and race, and the fate of liberal democracies.

"Made in Italy" may have been coined in the twentieth century, but the relationship between excellence in craftsmanship and the visual, performing, and decorative arts goes back centuries. Outstanding Italian quality, style, and know-how in a range of artistic traditions from architecture and fashion, to music, and theater have long been recognized internationally. This course examines the intersection between the Arts and Italy's reputation for luxury and high quality through a series of case studies beginning with the fifteenth century. It was Renaissance culture that first fueled the prosperity of the luxury sector in a time where the production and patronage of art was trendsetting. The course investigates how trans-Mediterranean trade inspired local craft industries like metal and stone work; the development of theatre and costume design and the theatrical influence on urban spaces and architecture across European capitals, and the effect of luxury goods on politics and economy. The course provides students the opportunity to interview local artists and artisans, and investigate and present on areas of interest of local excellence in craftsmanship and its connection with the Arts. The course visits the spaces, workshops, and ateliers in Rome that bear witness to this ongoing conversation.