English

This course introduces the concept of "the family" through both a demographic lens and a sociological perspective. This allows for a macro-micro approach in understanding what structures shape family configurations, processes leading to family formation and dissolution, family practices and transitions during different parts of the life course. Looking first historically at changes to family structures and policies, the course then zooms in onto key debates with the study of families today. Drawing on concepts, theory, and research designs used in population studies and family sociology to study the phenomenon of "the family," students engage in a multi-disciplinary analysis of the various topics introduced through the course.

This course provides critical insights into counterculture, graffiti, street art, underground, punk, hip-hop, political art collectives, etc. Perspectives of anthropology and culture studies are explored. Seminal readings on subcultures, protests, and new social movements are used to discuss the practices of "alternative" urban lives in post-industrial society and certain trends of artistic production. The focus is on the political interpretation of youth subversion and disclosures of power mechanisms. Visuals and field trips to graffiti and other subcultural sites are a part of this course.  

This course consults readings drawn from the social sciences, humanities, and the law; specifically, foundational texts in cultural and moral psychology, philosophical texts on value pluralism, and legal cases from psychological, anthropological, and sociological perspectives. These readings serve as an entry point into class discussions related to provocative cultural practices (polygamy, education quotas, circumcision, minarets, inequalities, honor killings). Each week, different students present assigned readings and have in-depth discussions based on the material. The course involves group work, debates, as well as final presentations, based on students emerging viewpoints.

This course is taught by researchers belonging to the Sections of Functional Genomics and of Biomolecular Science and provides a broad overview of both the fundamental knowledge and the rapidly developing and exciting topics in molecular microbiology. Emphasis is placed on the molecular mechanisms underlying bacterial stress physiology, which is essential for bacterial survival in the environment, and thereby tolerance and resistance to antibiotics. The course involves lectures as well as theoretical excises (colloquium) where in-depth discussion of recent research articles are presented by the students with guidance from the instructors. Finally, in the laboratory exercise part, relevant critical and cutting-edge techniques are used to investigate research problems that are currently being studied in the laboratory. This comprehensive course thus provides a strong platform for students who wish to pursue or already are pursuing a research career in molecular microbiology and also in areas connected with general microbiology.

This course covers the nature of digital logic and numbering systems. Topics include: Basic gates, Boolean algebra, Karnaugh maps, memory elements, latches, flip-flops, design of combinational and sequential circuits, integrated circuits and logic families, shift registers, counters, multiplexers, demultiplexers, decoders, encoders, and parity circuits, Number systems, 1’s and 2’s complements, arithmetic circuits, fixed-point and floating-point representations, memory types, design of circuits using ROMs and PLAs. The course involves exposure to logic design automation software and an introduction to FPGAs and HDL. Prerequisite: fundamentals of computing. 

This course provides an introductory survey of religion and politics in Islam, from its inception to the modern period. It introduces students to basic concepts and topics in Islamic Studies and societies, such as Islamic law, theology, governance, and politics.

This course familiarizes students with aspects of mathematics which are of importance for Physics and Research Skills. Students learn how certain mathematical techniques can be applied. After completion of the course, the student is able to: solve simple differential equations; use several basis mathematical techniques, particularly: exponential- and square root functions, algebra, solving equations, functions, goniometry, linear algebra, differentiating and integrating; use numerical integration techniques to solve differential equations; use the basics of system analysis as a tool to solve environmental problems; formulate mathematical models for simple real-world applications; operationalize and analyze mathematical models by doing computer simulations; and qualitatively analyze and construct a model independently.

This course introduces and discusses some of the key areas of media sociology. It looks at important figures of the field and their representative work. The point is to get an overview of the complex relationships between media and society. The course pays particular attention to social aspects of journalism and new media.

This course, through the study of representative figures from the history of philosophy and its contemporary discourse, introduces the basic methods and aims of philosophical inquiry and develops the skills required for critical thinking. It opens the broad field of philosophical questions; but, more fundamentally, it is a course in questioning as such, as it cultivates the basic human desire to know. It is also about learning how to understand and how to be understood; it teaches students to listen to what others say, methodologically interpret what others have written, and take responsibility for their own words. This is accomplished through the close reading of texts of great intellectual distinction, patiently practicing the art of interpretation without easy answers, and carrying out a sustained effort to write thoughtfully. This course, thus, encourages students to think independently, responsibly, and critically. Prerequisites: first year writing course. 

Literature is a cultural and aesthetic phenomenon that takes on many different forms in different periods, regions, and languages. In all of these forms, literature reflects in one way or another the society from which it emerges. This course focuses on the complex relations between literature and society and to write and speak about them in an academic way. The course considers the characteristics of narrative, interpretation, poetics, and textuality, and place literary texts and analyses in specific historical and cultural contexts. In this course students consider key literary debates via the analysis of different texts from a number of different perspectives in literary studies. Students learn to see literature as a cultural phenomenon and are able to reflect academically on ethical and aesthetic aspects of literature; become familiar with different theoretical and critical movements; know a number of case studies, in which literary texts have influenced ethical debates; are able to write and speak about these kinds of issues in an academic way; acquire a supra-lingual perspective on literature.