English

This course examines the world of the bustling and controversial theaters of the Anglo-Atlantic Eighteenth Century. Taking a dramaturgical approach to a number of dramatic texts produced in this important period in the history of popular entertainment, this course will examine key developments in literary innovation such as character development and the rise of interiority from within the context of new theatrical technology, the rise of new forms of media, the growing power of government censorship, an emerging imperial identity, nationalism, and increased social mobility. We will also focus on the rise of celebrity culture in the period and examine the development of popular obsession with “stars” within the broader social contexts of shifting gender norms, new regimes of sexual expression, and the rise of consumer culture. We will also examine plays alongside other forms of texts such as published gossip, celebrity memoirs, newspaper advertisements, playbills, and acting manuals, making use of existing databases hosted at the Folger, Huntington, and the British Libraries. This course also aims to serve as a general introduction on how to read literary texts historically, and how the study of literature can benefit from an interdisciplinary approach.

This course is designed for students interested in real estate industry and exposes the students to concepts, theories, and industry practice in real estate finance. The course also introduces valuation and appraisal methods used for real estate finance and investment decision making. The main objective is to help students acquire the knowledge and develop the analytical skills of real estate finance, including the institutions and instruments used for finance residential and commercial real estate. The topics covered includes valuation methods, financial leverage, mortgage products, and commercial real estate finance. This course also introduces countless ways investors can invest in real estate, including purchasing properties directly as an individual or with other investors, or investing in publicly traded property company stocks and REITs.

This course provides a global and international overview of the history of psychology and recent developments in the field, including a focus on open science and the reproducibility crisis. It instructs on major schools of thought and trends in psychology as well as recent developments in psychological science and research methodology, including open science and reproducibility in psychological research.

The course aims to:

1) Provide an understanding of the history of psychology and major schools of thought from a global and international perspective.

2) Identify and analyze key figures and their contributions to the field from diverse cultural and historical perspectives.

3) Understand the scientific method and its role in psychological research, and the importance of recognizing and addressing issues related to post-colonialism and ontological diversity in psychological research.

4) Analyze current trends and developments in psychology, including open science and the reproducibility crisis.

This course examines the rapidly changing notions of gender and family against the historical and cultural transformations of East Asian societies. It focuses on the changing forms of families in East Asia and how families and relationships are portrayed in films and dramas.

This course examines the work of the director in film and digital media, focusing on the development of aesthetic values, cinematic languages and advanced interpretative cinematographic skills. It focuses on directorial decision-making, visual storytelling, plot development, scene continuity, dramatic interpretation and use of narrative structures. It also explores the role of the director as a team leader in pre-production, production and post-production.

This course examines conceptions and experiences of the body, health, illness and healing from the ancient world to the early modern period. It will focus on the historical development of western medicine in relation to religion, politics, science and culture. Topics covered include changing views of male and female bodies; the meanings of health, illness, disease, and disability; the evolving status of healers and medical practitioners; the role of religion, magic and natural philosophy in this world; and the rise of medical institutions such as hospitals, asylums, pharmacies, universities and anatomy theaters. 

Musicology Workshop provides a forum for discussion of musicological work, and the opportunity to gain a broad perspective on the discipline. Many Musicology Workshop activities are built around the Conservatorium's fortnightly Musicology Colloquium Series lectures, presented by SCM staff and visiting national and international scholars speaking on a wide range of topics. Other class activities explore areas such as research and writing skills, music criticism, controversies in recent music literature, visits to local libraries or archives, and conference attendance and reporting. Students are expected occasionally to attend other musicological activities such as the Conservatorium's Alfred Hook lecture series. During classes students also have the opportunity to present and gain feedback on their own research topics.

This course examines the international environment for business and offers theoretical and practical knowledge in implementing international strategies, marketing for successfully penetrating international markets, managing international firms, and potential risks for operating internationally. The content of this course is divided into four parts. The first part covers the international business environment that firms are currently facing, and the opportunity that a firm can have while it expands internationally. The second part offers a basic but systematic knowledge about different modes of international business operations (e.g. export, international marketing, license trade, strategic alliance, direct investment), and the advantages and disadvantages of each mode. The third part focuses on the management of major functions of business operation in an international context, such as how to design an organizational structure for international business; how to manage global production, logistics, and supply chain; and how to manage corporate finance, and international human resources. The last part is dedicated to the influential factors of international business operations: politics and culture, two major factors that impact on and bring potential risks to international business operation. 

The course shows how the tools of classical and molecular genetics can be applied to understanding the regulation of gene expression, cell differentiation, and patterning in bacteria and eukaryotes. Concepts covered include gene mapping, forward and reverse genetics; microbial genetics, including regulation of the lac operon; CRISPR/ Cas9 gene editing and DNA repair; alternative splicing and sex-determination; epigenetic mechanisms used in dosage compensation; the genetic analysis of cell cycle regulation; stem cell technology and axis determination in Drosophila. Tests and assignments count 40%; practicals count 10%; one three-hour paper written in November counts 50%.