English

This course develops a level of competence in Python, a modern programming language currently used in many physics research labs for mathematical modelling. No prior experience is required. The course starts with a grounding in the use of Python and discusses numerical methods. The main focus is then on the ways in which Python can be used for problem solving in physics and astrophysics.

This course examine core theories and frameworks used in geography to account for the social, spatial and economic unevenness in global development. it focuses on questions relating to who are the winners and losers from contemporary patterns of global economic change. This includes the analysis of relevant conceptual approaches to understand processes of global development and inequality (including comparative advantage, global value chain theory, developmentalism, structuralism, neo-liberalism, and post-development). Then, it adopts a livelihoods approach to better understand these broader processes from the perspective of individuals, households and communities. In general, issues are tailored to themes being played out in Asia-Pacific countries. 

People seem to be increasingly concerned with security. There is a marked perception that insecurity is on the rise, and that the world has become an extremely unsafe place. Security policies like predictive policing, urban surveillance, border control, and antiterrorism have grown in technological sophistication and legitimacy, and are increasingly debated in electoral campaigns, among policy makers, and in the press. And yet, crime statistics show unequivocally that we have never been safer. How do we explain this discrepancy, and how do we analyse critically society’s concern with security and surveillance, as well as the solutions proposed by different actors to solve such concerns? This course explores what security and surveillance teach us about our society, its fears, and the way different categories of people think about and act on (in)security both online and offline. It discusses case studies such as urban insecurity, digital surveillance, border control, and citizen initiatives to increase security, and explore the causes and consequences of such practices in our society. It reflects on whose (in)security matters and why, and assesses whether practices such as predictive policing, CCTV cameras, face recognition technologies really work, for whom, and how. Students think about what it means to live in a Big Brother society – where a lot of what we do is subjected to surveillance – and explore sociological insights on surveillance and security.

This seminar introduces the methodological and epistemological underpinnings and contributions of ethnography. The class situates this within a critical and expansive overview of anthropology, including tackling crucial issues raised by feminist, postmodern, indigenous, and decolonial scholars on methods, representation, power, and ethics and how these have shaped the ethnographic practice. To further develop participants' understanding of ethnography, guest speakers share their ethnographies, be it in the form of monograph or film, to open a deeper conversation and reflection on ethnographic strategies, the methodological, ethical, affective, and theoretical challenges they faced, and the potentials and limits of ethnography in understanding, navigating, and addressing pressing issues such as racism, sexism, coloniality, and violence.

This course introduces students to theoretical debates about the complex and multi-dimensional nature of crime, and conceptual frameworks that have been developed to explain and understand it.

This course examines the historical construction of the “tropics” as both an ecological reality and an ideological concept central to Western thought. Adopting a global perspective, the course explores how European and later North American interpretations of tropical environments shaped colonial expansion, economic development, and enduring social, racial, and cultural inequalities. This course explores the multiple dimensions of this history from a global perspective, emphasizing the creation of a unified and coherent bioclimatic zones that amalgamates parts of the Americas, Africa, Asia and Oceania. After discussing the concept of ‘tropicality’ – the European gaze on non-European environments – the course covers critical aspects of that amalgamation, including colonialism, resource extractivism, and intertropical species transfer and acclimatization. The last part of the course focuses on two urgent contemporary issues, namely climate change and decolonization, seeking to discuss the future of the ‘tropics’.

This course examines how the Internet works and how everyday online activities generate data that are collected, analyzed, and monetized by digital platforms. It explores key issues related to data privacy, security, ownership, and control, addressing questions about how personal information is used and how individuals can protect themselves online. The course provides practical knowledge and tools for understanding Internet infrastructure, data tracking practices, and strategies for managing one’s digital presence with greater confidence and awareness.

Building on a comprehensive understanding of communication design, students investigate the unique characteristics of various media and move fluidly across them, developing active and creative strategies for communication. This inquiry serves as the foundation for freely experimenting with and implementing practical, hands-on projects. Topics include The domain of Communication design, The role of communication designers, Riso print workshop, Communication design issues, and Communication design and media.

Prerequisites: Completion of at least two of the following — Introduction to Communication Design, Typography Design, Brand Design, Information Design, Advertising Design

The course covers advanced topics and techniques in big data, with a focus on the algorithmic and system aspects. It provides both theoretical and hands-on experience in big data and data mining. Topics include MapReduce, textual data management, graph data management, uncertain data management, association rule mining, and state-of-the-art data mining techniques. It also covers recent developments and progress in selected areas.

In "Climate Change and Extreme Weather," students embark on an investigative journey to demystify the science behind climate change and the increasing occurrence of extreme weather events around the world. Aimed at students from a variety of academic backgrounds, this introductory undergraduate course integrates fundamental atmospheric science principles with an examination of the dynamic systems that govern Earth’s climate. Through a blend of lectures, field study, and hands-on data analysis projects, students will delve into the mechanisms of climate change, the physical processes driving extreme weather events (such as typhoons/hurricanes, droughts, floods, heatwaves, wildfires, etc.), and the methodologies scientists use to model and predict these phenomena. Emphasizing critical thinking and problem-solving, students will also investigate the role of human activity in climate change and the strategies for mitigation and adaptation. By the end of the course, students will be empowered with the knowledge and skills to navigate the complex issues surrounding climate change and extreme weather, promoting a proactive and informed approach to one of the most pressing challenges of our time.