English

This course examines works of fiction that explain or dismiss the supernatural. Topics include David Hume’s infamous and controversial take on miracles, Sigmund Freud’s “uncanny,” Tzvetan Todorov’s “fantastic,” Alejo Carpentier’s idea of the “marvelous real,” etc. The course focuses on the historical ways of thinking about certain texts and a terminology for doing so, exploring the tension between what is real and unreal, what is natural and supernatural, in a variety of ways: for the readerly pleasures of terror and suspense; as allegories of personal or political or social trauma; as problematic racist and misogynistic symbols of feared “otherness”; and also as a site from which oppressed and marginalized communities can resist.

This course introduces students to political sociology which is broadly concerned with understanding such phenomena as power, state and society relations, and the nature and consequences of social conflict. The main topics are issues pertaining to modern society and capitalist development, referring to diverse cases from Western Europe to Southeast Asia. Students also examine the state, civil society and societal movements, including that of labor, and such contentious contemporary issues as economic globalization, US global hegemony, and terrorism.

This course explores “Mechanism Design, ”is an active research field in economic theory. Mechanism design is an emerging economic theory focused on designing institutions to effectively influence people's behavior. It serves as the foundation for social implementation by addressing social issues through the design of social rules. This course focuses on the challenges and innovations in social implementation based on this theory. Moreover, by applying mechanism design theory, the class gains insights into generating collective Intelligence through the aggregation of people’s decentralized evaluations.

Some math (like calculus) is required, while the necessary math is explained during lectures.

This course is for students with some basic knowledge and experience of the target language (TL). The course enables students to understand key information and to communicate effectively in the TL, sometimes spontaneously, in less routine situations, at a standard level, provide opportunities, across a variety of topics, for practice of understanding and communication in the TL using the four language skills of listening, reading, speaking and writing, at a standard level, consolidate and develop the range of key elements of TL language structures, vocabulary, syntax and pronunciation, to allow progression in the TL, and present the background culture and society of the TL through a variety of contextualized activities and materials, in a range of media (e.g. text, audio, audio-visual, digital).

This course investigates adaptations of Shakespeare’s plays for cinema in theory and practice. Students examine approaches to screening Shakespeare considering the playwright’s iconic status and changing cultural and social contexts around the globe. Students also watch versions of different dramas representing a full range of the adaptation/appropriation spectrum and a variety of film genres. Drawing on these explorations, students work on filming short versions of Shakespeare adaptations, focusing on acting, camera work, and original interpretation of the dramatic script. 

This course explores the principles of molecular and cellular biology and is conducted in a format similar to a qualification exam. It covers Chapters 16-20 of the textbook Essential Cell Biology.

This course has a central focus on the psychology of identities. It engages students to explore the role of psychology in examining issues of race, class, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, etc. Theoretical concepts from liberation psychology, postcolonial psychology and feminist psychology are taught and discussed in relation to current debates in South Africa, and the African diaspora around identity differences. Tutorials may include practical exercises and case presentations. DP requirements: Completion of all coursework and attendance at tutorials as required. Assessment: Coursework (Tutorial assignments, group projects and individual written assignments) counts 100%. Course entry requirements: Students must have passed PSY1004F and PSY1005S and at least one 2000-level social science course. 

The course introduces the basic principles of chemical analysis. The principles of chemical measurement, including error analysis, quality assurance and calibration, data acquisition and processing, are discussed with reference to methods of chemical analysis that are based on chemical equilibrium and stoichiometric reactions. The laboratory classes includes experiments demonstrating modern approaches of data acquisition and processing as well as chemical analysis based on chemical equilibrium. Prerequisites: Pass in CHEM1042; and Pass in CHEM1043, or already enrolled in this course.

Existentialism is an approach to philosophical questions that can be found in the writings of 19th-century authors such as Kierkegaard, Dostoyevsky, and Nietzsche, and more explicitly in 20th-century philosophers Heidegger, Sartre, and de Beauvoir. Existentialist thought focuses on the meaning—for our individual lives—of lived experience, value, freedom, responsibility, and commitment, and is often associated with an ethics of authenticity. In this course students consider a selection of writings by these authors, looking at how existentialist ideas have been represented in both philosophy and literature.

This course presents African music through practical and hands-on experience. Groups of five to six members learn a variety of indigenous musical instruments from the whole African continent. Practical music-making, which forms the mainstay of the course, serves as an introduction to a multi-faceted pan-African aesthetic experience. A theoretical component places this practical exploration in philosophical, historical, and cultural context. No prior knowledge of music or previous musical experience is needed.