English

This course discusses current "hot" technologies featured in media, such as quantum computers (computer science); batteries (chemistry), and nuclear energy (physics). 

This course offers a critical introduction to contemporary film and television. It provides the basic vocabulary for understanding the film-making process as well as narrative forms in both film and television. The course also considers key areas of film and television studies such as spectatorship, genre and realism, with examples drawn from both South Africa and abroad. Students are assessed through academic analysis and a creative assignment (a short film shot on a mobile phone, or a short script). DP requirements: All written work must be submitted by the stipulated dates. Students who miss more than two tutorials lose their DPs. Assessment: Continuous assessment (essays, projects, tests, etc.) counts 100%. Course entry requirements: None

Drawing on primary and secondary sources, history textbooks, and academic and historical texts in English (from the late nineteenth century onward), this course allows students to discuss key conceptual terminology in the field of history, as well as major developments in Japanese history and their connections to more recent social and economic issues. The topics may cover a variety of historical periods, ranging from Tokugawa period to Shōwa era, from the foundation of the modern state to the postwar long economic boom.

Preliminary knowledge of modern and contemporary Japanese history is recommended.

The course introduces the fundamental principles of sound financial management at the individual level and equips with the tools to ensure management of personal finances. Topics covered include basic financial planning, time value of money, credit management, real estate, the basics of investing, personal income tax, medical schemes and insurance, and estate and retirement planning. While the course provides a sound theoretical grounding in these topics, the focus is on practical application and real-world relevance. DP requirements: Completion and submission of at least 80% of tutorial assignments and attendance at 80% of tutorial sessions, and 40% average year mark. Assessment: Students complete a group Investment project (10%), weekly objective tests (10%, based on the best 5 of 10), two class tests (20%, weighted 10% each) and a final exam worth 60%.

This course introduces key issues and activities in South African society today. It presents how to search for and identify accurate information and relevant ideas, situating these in a social context, and outlining views around key social issues. We live in a society with deeply structured social inequalities and a range of issues and problems which people confront every day. What is actually happening to people positioned differently in society? What is changing and what is continuing? How do ordinary people deal with these issues? What forms of organization and action do they turn to as they try to meet their needs and build lives which are fulfilling and dignified? This course examines selected social processes, structures, institutions and behaviors to understand these issues and ways of dealing with them. DP requirements: Completion of all written tests, essays and assignments as set. Assessment: tests, essays and assignments (50%) final exam (50%).

This course introduces students to the foundations and practices of designing user experiences with AI-empowered software systems. It covers essential concepts in AI, machine learning, and human-computer interaction. Students will receive theoretical training on the analysis, design, and evaluation of user interfaces. Through the lens of user-centered design, students will learn the end-to-end process from requirements gathering to prototyping, including practical training with prototyping software and emerging AI-assisted design tools. Special emphasis is placed on understanding user cognition, affective design, and persuasive design theories that inform effective user experiences.

This course examines different statistical distributions and how to apply them for hypothesis testing. Students learn to solve adjustment problems with a singular design matrix, e.g. free network adjustment. The course discusses quality assessment of adjustment results with respect to precision and reliability. Students learn to detect blunders in the observations and to evaluate the geometry of adjustment problems from partial redundancies. Students are able to solve arbitrary adjustment problems with conditions and constraints, e.g. from a rigorous solution of the nonlinear Gauss-Helmert model. They study the concept of robust parameter estimation and when to apply it. They also study how to apply the concepts of statistic and adjustment calculation for analysis of stochastic processes, e.g. time series analysis. Course topics include statistical distributions and confidence intervals, hypothesis testing, least‐squares adjustment with singular design matrix A, free net adjustment, adjustment with observed unknowns, quality assessment of adjustment results, data snooping, S‐transformation, Gauss‐Helmert model, variance component estimation, and robust parameter estimation.

The course examines strategic brand management through the study of leading Spanish and Barcelona-based brands and industries. Students explore brand equity, positioning, identity, reputation, corporate and place branding, and integrated communications, while analyzing how businesses and institutions use culture, innovation, and strategic communication to build competitive advantage in global markets. Case studies span tourism, fashion, technology, culture, entertainment, food, banking, and other major sectors.

This course considers the various ways in which actions, processes and materials can shape a painting practice. It covers a range of painterly actions and a self-generated list of ‘paint-related’ verbs (to roll, to smudge, to scrape). A broad range of traditional, modern and expanded paint properties and mediums will be considered.

This course examines theoretical concepts, methods and algorithms, as well as application and implementation issues.