English

The course examines the role of culture in shaping psychological processes, with particular focus on Māori world views, and Pacific cultural contexts.

This course explores how to balance contemporary ecological and social imperatives with the economic and aesthetic functions of cities, particularly in an unpredictable future. While there is no simple answer to this question, the course engages with various theories, technologies, and practices in urbanism and architecture to critically examine it. By reflecting on the historical development of architecture, infrastructure, and urban design, the course provides a contextual framework for analyzing the city as a complex system.  

Throughout the course, various practitioners and theorists from different design fields will be invited to discuss projects and case studies from Japan and around the world. Key topics include spatial design, urban design, design utilizing digital technology, sustainable design, landscape design, and craftsmanship.  

The course examines New Zealand’s relations with major countries, its policies in key regions, and its position on contemporary issues in international politics. It explores how a small state navigates complex global environments where optimal outcomes are not always possible. It also provides an insider’s perspective on how strategic decisions are made, drawing on conversations with senior political leaders, diplomats, and national security officials. It analyzes how New Zealand evaluates options, develops policy, and responds to global challenges in ways that safeguard its defense, economy, and societal interests.

This course unfolds the institutions, treaties, procedures and practices of intergovernmental organizations, providing perspectives on the evolving rules and normative standards defining international human rights, the actors involved, and the processes and means by which they are monitored and their implementation is promoted. Students gain knowledge about institutions and procedures, selected rights and the obligation of states; and analyze challenges and achievements of the international human rights regime through country studies.

This course examines the many categories of wearable technology, as well as closely related fields, such as wearable computing, techno fashion, electronic textiles, intelligent jewelry and smart clothes. Students research, experiment with and design wearable technology projects, from conceptual work to pragmatic solutions and applications. Topics include how technology can be used in wearable contexts as a means to complement the functions of the human body and enhance personal expression. The course offers a theoretical introduction and foundation, which is iterated through practical elements in the form of concept development and prototyping. 

This course addresses the question, "What can we/I do to create a better world?" from the perspective of Goals 10 to 17 of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN SDGs). This course analyzes various data, experiences, and information to gain a global perspective; acknowledges the current situation, and considers how to address complex issues as well as solutions and actions one can take. 

This course examines the key processes that shape Australia's biophysical environment. It explores Australia’s environmental evolution over time and provides foundational knowledge across several environmental science disciplines. The course addresses contemporary environmental issues and highlights the unique challenges facing Australia’s environment in the future. Topics include geology, climate and weather, soils, landscape evolution, water, flora, fauna, and biodiversity, with an emphasis on the interdependence of these systems. The course also investigates current issues in Australian environmental science within the context of the continent’s environmental history.

This course introduces psychological barriers to sustainable behavior, discussing, for instance, the role of social influence, attitudes and beliefs, or situational factors. The last weeks are dedicated to project work in which students use the acquired knowledge to examine specific behaviors and develop practical implications to foster sustainability in everyday life.

This course takes a thematic approach to significant historical film movements, with attention to the contexts in which they operate and the influence they continue to have on global film culture. It begins by examining the development of narrative, aesthetic, and industrial strategies in the dominant film industry of the twentieth century—Hollywood—and then explores several movements that offer alternative or complementary approaches to filmmaking, including the French New Wave, Third Cinema, Fourth Cinema, Italian Neorealism, German Expressionism, Surrealism, and Soviet Montage. The course provides historical background to these movements and introduces key theoretical and aesthetic concepts related to film history. It fosters critical awareness of the cultural, political, and artistic contexts of these periods and situates them in relation to one another.

This course examines the global condition of women and girls through a political-economic lens; specifically, the sexual politics that underpin the global economy. It canvasses different perspectives on women's place in the global economy starting in the 19th century and examines topics like the labor market; class, and waged-based exploitation that exemplify the sexual politics of the capitalist economy and the harmful results on women and girls.