English

This course provides an introduction to genetic studies on behavior, emotions, and cognition - a psychological discipline known as "behavior genetics." The course covers basic concepts in quantitative and molecular genetic sciences, and how these can be applied to study animal behavior, human traits and disorders, and socioeconomic outcomes. This includes studies of genetic and environmental contributions and how statistical models of complex traits are analyzed with computer software. The course covers development of research skills for practical implementation of quantitative genetic statistical methods applicable throughout the life sciences.

This course explores the truthfulness of AI, as a non-reliable source of information, from a linguistic angle. On the premise that AI-tools are increasingly used to provide “information” in professional and private settings, but in reality are producing ‘hallucinations’, false information, the course compares the logic and architecture behind large language models (LLM) used in AI-tools with the logic and architecture behind human cognition (including the capacity for language). It also delves into several aspects of human language that contribute to our inclination to take AI-generated output at face value.

This course introduces students to the core philosophy of science, philosophy of mind, and ethics concepts needed to build better technology and reason about its impact on the economy, civil society, and government.

This course is offered as a companion course to the course, Buddhism and Social Change in Contemporary Asia taught by the same instructor in the first half of the semester. Students are not required to take both courses, but it is recommended to do so for a fuller understanding.

This course analyzes Buddhism in Japan in a very different way – through the actions of Buddhist priests and followers-- to confront the real life problems and suffering of the people in Japan today. The course looks at issues such as:
1) human relationships in terms of: a) dying and grieving, and b) alienation and suicide; 
2) economic development in terms of: a) social and economic gaps, aging society, community breakdown and depopulation of the countryside; b) alternatives to globalization and Buddhist economics, and c) alternative energy and the environment; 
3) politics in terms of: a) nuclear power and peace, and b) Buddhist complicity with war and work for peace. 
 

The creative solutions some individual Buddhists are developing in response to these problems mark an attempt to revive Japanese Buddhism, which has been primarily associated with funerals and tourism. These efforts are trying to remake the temple as a center of community in an increasingly alienated society.
 

A variety of teaching methods are employed - from homework, readings, group processes, in-class videos, and guest speakers and this course will aim to be interactive. Students should be ready to reflect on the issues personally as they experience them as residents of Japan, and to express these reflections not only intellectually but emotionally as well. Field trips will be offered on the key issues above so as to deepen appreciation and understanding. 

This course examines major issues related to new topics in Spanish media. It is divided into two parts. Part one focuses on the representation of Spain through both traditional and new media. The second part explores how fiction, whether on television, cinema, or social media, is capable of describing in detail the reality of Spain.

The course introduces the scientific study of stars, the physical properties of stars, the measurements of these properties, and the relevant laws of physics. The course includes the relationship among stellar physical properties as a step towards understanding star formation and stellar evolution. Students learn advanced topics, including variable stars, supernovae, and black holes. The course requires students to take prerequisites.

This course introduces the culture of Japanese gardens, focusing on the main philosophical values, styles, aesthetics, and landscape design principles through history. By doing specific activities, writing assignments and oral presentations, the course increases knowledge and the meaning of what has been learned from interactions and shared experiences. Comparisons with historical gardens examples in other cultures and a study-tour to relevant Japanese gardens located inside or around Kyoto City are planned to strengthen final debates and discussions as well as to help the formation of group research projects for final evaluation. 

In this course, students critically review the inter-relationships between rural environments and the forms of planning intervention that take place within them; evaluate the institutional arrangements for sustainable long-term rural planning and environmental management; and explore the provision and management of recreational opportunities in rural areas.

This course provides a foundation in political theory through the thought and texts of some of the most important political theorists. It covers major political theorists from the ancient Greeks to the 20th Century. Topics include theories of human nature, the origin of government and law, man's relation to society and the state, the basis of political obligation, the idea of social contract, the idea of social progress, the critique of capitalism, and questions about race and gender. Thinkers discussed usually include Plato, Aristotle, Machiavelli, Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Kant, The Federalist, J S Mill, Marx, Nietzsche, Arendt, Fanon.

This course focuses on the Eukaryotic cell structure, its basic components, and their functions. Eukaryotic cells are characterized by membrane-bound compartments called Organelles. The class focuses on Organelles, Membrane Structure and Composition, Membrane Transport, Vesicles Trafficking, and Cell Energy, applying these basic ideas to current biological questions. For instance, the class will relate dysfunctions in various cellular processes to human diseases. Furthermore, the course covers methods utilized by researchers to uncover current information about Eukaryotic cells. 

This course is recommended to be taken after FOUNDATION OF BIOLOGY or INTRODUCTION TO BIOLOGY.