English

This course reviews the basic theory and understanding of the most important molecular genetic methods used in modern ecological and evolutionary research projects. The course is mainly based on practical learning through wet labs (DNA extraction, PCR, DNA sequencing) and computer exercises (editing of DNA sequences that you obtain during the course, phylogeny, and various programs for analysis of DNA sequences) and leads to mastery of different methods used to detect and analyze variation at gene, genome and protein levels within and between individuals, populations, and species. Emphasis is also placed on improving one's ability to assimilate and critically review scientific articles based on molecular genetic data and analyses. The course ends with a research project that is carried out in small groups.

This course is about political, social, cultural, and economic change in the Benelux-countries (Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg) from the inter-war period to the present. Among the themes covered are the crisis of democracy in the 1930s; collaboration, resistance and accommodation during the German occupation of World War II; decolonization; Dutch, Belgian, and Luxembourgian post-war politics; the Cold War and European integration; development of the modern welfare state; cultural revolution and new social movements in the 1960s; linguistic and inter-communal tensions and federalization of Belgium; immigration, the polder-model, the "crisis of multiculturalism," and the recent rise of populism in the Netherlands.

This course enables students to understand how money and finance, and processes of global political economy more broadly, enable, shape, and condition the way development, environmental governance, and conservation are practiced in sub-Saharan Africa. The course draws on economic geography, but also social, financial, and cultural geography, anthropology, development studies, and work on society and environment relations. Although the course will have a major reference to sub-Saharan Africa - including Uganda, Kenya, Madagascar, Zimbabwe and South Africa - it also includes examples of financialization, conservation, and eco-system services from the UK, the Caribbean, and Asia. 

This course examines Pacific Studies and the worlds of Te Moana-nui-ā-Kiwa (The Pacific). Through the study of taonga or cultural treasures drawn from specific cultures and societies, insights into Indigenous Pacific knowledges and practices are developed. Spanning deep history and the contemporary moment, this course provides a critical understanding of change in the Pacific over time and space.

This course examines the political relationship between Indigenous and Non-Indigenous peoples of Australia as an instance of wider global relations among indigenous societies, colonial powers and contemporary national and international regimes and institutions. Students will gain an understanding of government policies and the responses to these practices by Indigenous peoples by critically evaluating the political frameworks and policy responses used to deal with Indigenous-settler relations. The course will consider - among other topics - land, citizenship and identity, self-determination, constitutional recognition, and the governance of Indigenous organizations.

This course is designed to delve into the world of early childhood curriculum, exploring its definition, philosophical and theoretical foundations, and practical implementation. Throughout the semester, students develop knowledge and skills in planning and interpreting curriculum, observing classroom practices, and understanding teacher roles. In addition, students gain deeper understanding of various early childhood curriculum models as well as current trends in the field. The goal is to understand the concept of early childhood curriculum and its core components; to understand how philosophical and theoretical backgrounds are associated with early childhood curriculum; to develop skills in planning, developing, and implementing early childhood curriculum; and to analyze current trends and the future of early childhood curriculum.

Prerequisites: majoring in Child and Family Studies

The history of modern China is deeply intertwined with international law. Starting from the early 19th century, the European-originated international law made its way to the China-centered East Asian tributary system through military conquests and treaties. Over the past two centuries, international law has profoundly shaped the transformation of China in terms of building of a modern state and the national identity. The more recent decades have seen China’s increasingly active engagement with international law in terms of dispute settlement and treaty negotiation. Yet international law is still underappreciated in understanding China’s foreign relations, often being reduced to no more than legalistic cover for realpolitik by international relations scholars. Academic research on China’s foreign policy is largely devoid of serious legal analysis into China’s engagement with international law. This course sits at the intersection of international law and international relations and bears four goals in mind. First of all, the course prepares the students for understanding the fundamental concepts of international law. The second objective is to examine China’s initial encounter with the Eurocentric concepts and practices of international law and its lingering legacy. Third, it aims for surveying China’s contemporary engagement with various international legal regimes in a historical and contextualized way. Rather than highlighting China’s uniqueness in the international legal system, the course encourages comparative inquiries into China’s position on and practices of international law. Last, the course invites the students to empirically re-examine popular impressionistic discourses about China and international law by making extensive use of primary sources and incorporating competing perspectives.

This course examines marine system quantitative ecology including soft shores, rocky and coral reefs. It emphasizes quantitative methods including design, statistical analysis and interpretation of field experiments and observational studies.

This course introduces international marketing. The lectures cover the nature of international marketing, the international environment, market segmentation, market entry strategies, product strategies, pricing strategies, promotion strategies, structure of international physical distribution, some important markets, and organization of international marketing activities. The course is focused primarily on the international marketing decisions and management processes. 

The course analyses various depictions of "heroic women" in different cultural contexts and historical times. It explores the notion of female heroism in contrast to male heroism, indicating major differences and similarities. It also deals with women writers’ responses to male writers’ depictions of female protagonists. This course introduces students to certain major representative works of literature/topics from different cultural milieux and thereby develops their literary awareness and sensitivity, with a particular emphasis on the theme of heroic women in literature across a range of cultures and periods; engages students imaginatively in the process of reading and analyzing selected culturally different texts; develops an awareness of intercultural issues by presenting set texts not only individually, but also in relation to each other.