English

This course focuses on Chinese art and visual culture from the late imperial period to the 21st century against the backdrop of major socio-political and economic changes in China and the world. Through the study of material forms and the contexts in which they were created, the course looks at the ways in which art, artists, and their audiences responded to the challenges of modernity, reform, revolution, war, marketization, and globalization. The phenomenon of Chinese contemporary art, its collection, and connoisseurship, and the role of art schools, museums, bienniales, galleries, and auction houses is also examined.

This course gives an introduction to the principles behind effective operational quality systems in these complex food production chains. Major theoretical topics of the course include the relationship between food properties and quality attributes in the food production chain; traceability of food products in the food production chain; basic principles of operations management; principles of major technological tools, methods, and techniques in quality control and inspection; and introduction to major quality assurance standards. The course contains assignments related to these 4 topics. The assignments serve as a basis for critical analysis of factors influencing the actual operation of the implemented quality system.

The course critically examines the construction of the 'development' concept, tracing its ties to capitalism and its roots in colonialism and mercantilism. It questions the outcomes, focusing on the reproduction of social inequalities and environmental consequences globally, nationally, and locally. Divided into parts, it covers critical development theories, explores development as a "globalization project," and reviews systematic alternatives and critiques of the sustainable project. Key concepts are illustrated through case studies and an Approach Based on Projects (ABP).

This course covers a variety of environmental issues and how international law addresses them. Students will understand different treaties and customs and how States interact regarding environmental issues. The course utilizes lectures, discussion of case studies, and presentations to consider the extent to which environmental law is effective, current challenges, and the future of environmental protection. 

This course focuses on the biological foundations of information processing within the body (such as the autonomic nervous system and the central nervous system) to deepen understanding of how human psychological processes are involved in physiological activities. Additionally, students will learn an overview of physiological methods used in psychology and their respective characteristics.

The course uses experiential learning to develop the skills most critical to success in today's business landscape: designing and planning innovative business models. The course offers an industry focus on fashion, luxury, and retail, and integrates key topics such as sustainability and digitalization. This course explores how to design innovative business models with the support of a proprietary simulation software that allows to develop a practical approach integrating creative ideas with competitive and financial dimensions. Students can see the immediate consequences of their decisions and learn what it’s truly like to juggle competing priorities amidst a constant influx of information provided by the professors. The learning process is enhanced by the collaboration of external guest speakers and a start-up accelerator.

This course reviews the fundamental theories and contemporary practices of innovation and entrepreneurship, with students learning how to identify innovation and entrepreneurship opportunities; how to develop a business plan, how to acquire resources for their ventures and create and capture value from the ventures.

This course offers an in-depth introduction to the complex historical and conceptual reality of the central role played by Constitutions in the legal systems of present day democratic societies. It explores the evolution of constitutions and constitutional thought from their medieval origin to the gradual building and consolidation of the essential defining notions and principles of the new model of the State established as a result of liberal revolutions, such as sovereignty, legality, separation of powers, or recognition and protection of individual and collective rights. This course analyzes and compares important historical constitutional texts, including the current Spanish Constitution, and the particular political, economic and social circumstances at the moment of their writing.

Students taking this course learn about the history, theory, and practice of decolonization. This includes a critical look at decolonization versus decolonial thinking in practice, including the institutionalization of calls to ‘decolonize’ which seek finalized end points rather than ongoing modes of decolonial critique. Students undertake specialized study through examples and case studies which may include topics such as decolonizing history, heritage, public history and museums, decolonizing universities, curricula and education, decolonizing environmental activism, art and art history, literature and public spaces.

This course examines the nexus between literature and intercultural communication and analyzes fundamental concepts and principles in the academic field of intercultural communication. The course features excerpts from various books, short stories, and social science articles that treat themes most broadly addressed in intercultural communication research such as identity; the benefits and pitfalls of intercultural contact; personal transformation; discrimination, and cultural change.