English

This course examines how life arose and evolved into the myriad of forms it takes today. The course introduces the principles of evolution and explores the tree of life, highlighting the major evolutionary advances that have enabled organisms to exploit every habitat on Earth. The major living groups of microbes, plants and animals are presented and the key features of their biology are discussed and illustrated. A wide range of examples are given, spanning microbial parasites, plants, fungi, jellyfish and corals, worms, insects, crustaceans, fish, birds, mammals. The course examines how they feed, survive and reproduce, and, importantly, how they impact our daily lives.

This course examines the intersections between international and domestic policy making. It explores the role of international governmental organizations and treaties, multinational corporations and transnational advocacy in shaping policy decisions. The course reflects critically on the scholarly debate around globalization and the state, and the extent to which national governments retain the capacity to determine their own policy directions. It considers the diffusion of policy ideas internationally and the transfer of policies and programs from one country to another. It covers the factors that interfere with intergovernmental cooperation and coordination and evaluate the ways in which policy makers respond to global policy challenges.

The overarching goal of the course is for the students to acquire basic knowledge of linear algebra which is necessary for further studies in mathematics and natural sciences. Special emphasis is placed on developing the mathematical theory for vector spaces in a systematic way that contributes to strengthening the students' ability to absorb mathematical text, to conduct mathematical reasoning, to solve problems of both theoretical and applied nature and to communicate mathematics. The course covers Matrices; Determinants; Linear spaces; Euclidean spaces; Linear mappings; Spectral theory; Systems of linear ordinary differential equations; and Quadratic forms.

This course examines satellite systems, describing their main applications and providing a detailed introduction into the principles of orbital mechanics. It focuses on orbital mechanics, covering orbit description and analysis, perturbations, orbital manoeuvres, interplanetary transfers and launch systems.

The course introduces students to the phenomenon of historical and contemporary diasporic literature and literatures of migration. Topics covered include: the ways in which literary works reflect on the experience of migration; how narratives and poems contribute to the imagination of cultural and political collectives; and how exile and displacement trigger efforts to imagine cultural belonging outside of national confines. In the wake of globalization, the world has become increasingly interconnected, and the course studies how different literary texts respond to this new situation, offering students insights into how literature reflects on cross-cultural encounters and contributes to our understanding of experiences of displacement and diaspora. This is the second course of the specialization Literature Across Borders.

Organizations are facing a wide range of unexpected challenges of crises, requiring them to develop strategic thinking in order to prepare for, mitigate, respond to, and recover from unexpected occurrences. The aim of this course is to develop strategic skills in mitigating issues and managing crises that organizations encounter. This course places crisis communication in organizational, social, and global contexts. The course emphasizes real-world application of crisis communication concepts, theories, and principles. Thematically, the course covers the foundational of crisis communication, three phases of crisis management, internal and external crisis communication, media and stakeholder relations, and issues and trends in crisis communication.

This course involves studying the works of a number of poets, whose work reflects the variety of techniques used in modern and postmodern poetry. Students are asked to focus on, for example, the imagery, structure, prosody and diction used in these poems, and to experiment with these elements in their own poetry writing. Students undertake a series of writing exercises that allow them to explore these techniques and concerns.

This course offers an in-depth critical analysis of right-wing populism, emphasizing its theoretical foundations, historical evolution, and contemporary empirical manifestations. Students explore the ideological underpinnings of right-wing populism, its intersections with nationalism and authoritarian tendencies, and its broader implications for democratic governance. Through interdisciplinary scholarly literature, critical media analyses, and collaborative discussions, the course examines how right-wing populist movements emerge, sustain, and transform within diverse political systems and cultural contexts, focusing particularly on case studies from Europe and North America. Special attention is also given to the relationship between right-wing populism and pressing global issues such as climate change, fostering awareness of how environmental concerns are framed, instrumentalized, or denied within populist rhetoric. Upon completion of this course, students can clearly define and differentiate between key concepts including right-wing populism, radical right, and extreme right. They are capable of analyzing and critiquing the core ideological dimensions of populism and identifying the underlying factors that drive the emergence and rise of right-wing populist movements. Additionally, students evaluate the impact of digital communication technologies on populist rhetoric and political mobilization. They are also equipped to conduct comparative analyses of right-wing populist phenomena across different national contexts and critically assess the consequences of right-wing populism on democratic institutions, civil society, civic norms, and environmental discourse.

This introductory course covers theories and research findings in the area of intercultural communication, providing a basic understanding of intercultural communication theories and their relevant issues in global society.  

Topics include Cultural identity and categorization, High vs low-context communication, Verbal codes and intercultural communication, nonverbal codes, Communication accommodation, Intercultural conflict and negotiation, Acculturation and adaptation, Intercultural competence and development, Intercultural relationships and dialog, Group dynamics, Ethics and power in intercultural work, Digital media and global dialog.  

Students can take this course without a prerequisite, but preferably students have taken an Intro to Media course before or while taking this course.