English

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. 

The course introduces students to the structure and function of molecules, including DNA and RNA, which allow genes to be expressed and be maintained from one generation to the next. Students also learn about genetic engineering, its application, and the ethical issues associated with its use.

This course builds on Stochastic Processes I and introduces an array of stochastic models with biomedical and other real world applications. Topics include Poisson process, compound Poisson process, marked Poisson process, point process, epidemic models, continuous time Markov chain, birth and death processes, martingale. The course requires students to take prerequisites.

In this foundational course, students are introduced to key concepts, approaches and perspectives in the academic and public debates on the role of digital media in contemporary culture and society. Students learn about the history of digital media from a global perspective, which enables them to qualify claims about the newness of so-called ‘new media’ and challenge universalizing claims about the impact of digital media not only on Western but also on non-Western communities. The course develops students’ understanding of the cultural, social, political, economic, and technical contexts in which digital developments emerge and helps them think about digital media holistically, from their design and production to their content and use. Historical milestones in digital transformations are highlighted, along with discussions of the very latest technological developments and their potential impact on diverse communities around the world.

This course focuses on critical debates on the political economy of Africa, with specific reference to Sub-Saharan Africa. It is anchored in the works of Archie Mafeje. DP requirements: None. Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%. Course entry requirements: Third-year status. 

This course provides an overview of the Science of Emotion with a focus on the behavioral and neurobiological processes underlying emotional experience and regulation. The course discusses how dysregulations in these processes relate to common mental disorders. In addition, the course introduces the experimental approaches and brain imaging techniques used to study emotions and provides an overview on recent progress and challenges. The course combines theoretical lectures, interactive discussions, and application in student-centered educational approaches that emphasize active learning to facilitate a deep understanding of the topic. Prerequisites: PSYC2022 or PSYC2101.

This course provides students with a critical grounding in the major psychological schools that shape the field and examines how these influence educational doctrine and practices in the ‘modern’ classroom. Throughout the course, students are introduced to different ways in which human thoughts, feelings and behaviour can be examined encouraged to consider how different perspective can be used in the context of education. With the introduction of multiple theories, critical thinking skills are developed comparing and contrasting different interpretations of the similar contexts. Potential biases and assumptions are questioned each session. The assignment is an applied case study scenario. The assignment requires students to examine a case study of an individual’s circumstances and to discuss to what extent one chosen perspective is able to explain the situation. Students can decide which perspective they want to apply and are encouraged to develop a deeper understanding of those chosen perspective, building on the introductory class

This course explores the rich musical and cultural traditions of the Silk Road, a vast network of trade routes connecting East Asia, the Mediterranean, and Europe. The course examines how the Silk Road facilitated the exchange of goods, ideas, and music, shaping world history and cultural development. Through the study of musical genres, styles, and instruments from across the region, the course investigates how music intersects with identity, power, and diplomacy across geographical and historical boundaries. The course also looks at similar cross-cultural projects happening today, such as the Yo-Yo Ma Silk Road initiative.

The course features live performances and interactive workshops, as well as instruments from different regions. No musical background is necessary.