English

This course teaches students about the wide range of ways in which archaeologists go about researching the past. Students learn about the nature of the archaeological record (formation processes, preservation conditions, etc.), different types of data collection and analyses used by archaeologists, including isotope analysis and ancient DNA analysis, dating methods, and different research foci with accompanying case-studies. Students are also given hands-on introductions to topographical and geophysical surveying equipment.

How we remember our past and imagine our future has important consequences for our psychological well-being. This course examines how psychological research has informed our understanding of this relationship and how developments in the field of mental health science are translated into clinical practice. Through class discussion of theoretical concepts, practical examples of research methodology and intervention techniques, students gain insight into the psychological processes underlying autobiographical remembering and imagining. The course focuses on how biases in autobiographical processing are altered during times of psychological distress and examines the idea that changing the way individuals think about their own life-story can lead to improvements in psychological well-being.

This course examines research philosophies and the scientific method, with special emphasis on field research. 

King Arthur and the legends surrounding him are known from medieval times throughout Western Europe, but his origin is as a Welsh folk hero. This course traces the earliest development of the Arthurian legend from its Welsh beginnings. The Celtic origin of the theme of the Holy Grail is examined also, as well as the Welsh origin of the character of Merlin. Original sources in translation form the basis of study for all these topics. Apart from one essential book, the necessary study resources are provided in class.

The course introduces students to the life and novels of Jane Austen and explores how her work has been adapted in Hollywood. Students examine the relationship between source texts and their adaptations, and analyze genre, form, and thematic concerns like feminism and class.

This course is for aspiring change agents across all sectors, including business, not-for-profit, and government, and develops practical skills to lead complex systems to create better social outcomes. It explores the issues that policymakers, industry leaders, and social service providers grapple with every day, such as inequality, place-based disadvantage, mental health, homelessness, and human rights, and introduces models for systems change and social innovation.

This course employs economic analysis to examine the interrelationships between three institutions: the state, law, and the economy. Topics covered include the nature and origin of the state, the differences between liberal and populist conceptions of the democratic state, and the dilemmas of political organization, conflict, and succession in autocratic states. The course also explores the rule of law, the relationship between political and economic order, and rent-seeking groups. Additionally, it delves into the distinctions between common law and civil law systems and the consequences of these differences. The course also investigates the modernization hypothesis, critical juncture theory, and the factors that contribute to the transition between dictatorships and democracies (and vice versa). Furthermore, it examines the role of economic, behavioral, and structural factors in these transitions, as well as the reasons why revolutions often come as surprises. The course also seeks to answer whether democracy promotes growth, the impact of inherited legal systems on growth, and the relationship between rulers, citizens, and interest groups in the pre-industrial world. Utilizing an analytic narratives approach, the course draws upon comparative case histories from various regions, including Europe, America, China, India, and the Middle East, to offer a comprehensive understanding of these topics.

This course introduces the core principles of neuroscience and translation, including the core structural and functional principles of the brain. It provides a deep-dive into neurological disease from molecular, cellular, and clinical perspectives and with clinically oriented sessions offered including cadaveric anatomy, neuroimaging, and patient-facing skill building. It offers hands-on laboratory practical experience in molecular and cellular techniques, supported by focused workshops and seminars.

This course explores the development of modern British drama from the late 19th century to the present, focusing on major playwrights and their works. We approach the history of British drama in three parts: the emergence of modern drama (Oscar Wilde & Bernard Shaw) at the turn of the twentieth century, two major trends in postwar Britain (John Osborne & Samuel Beckett), and the political and experimental theatre of the late 20th century onwards (Harold Pinter, Tom Stoppard, Sarah Kane, Caryl Churchill). Keeping in mind that dramatic texts are realized on stage, we pay attention to theatrical elements and genres, including melodrama, social realist drama, the theatre of the absurd, the comedy of menace, the play of ideas, in-yer-face theatre, and political theatre. Films and other visual materials are used to enhance students’ understanding and engagement with the plays.

This course develops students’ skills in musical improvisation through an integrated approach combining lectures and practical workshops. Lectures focus on the application of core musical materials, encouraging students to explore a broad range of stylistic and structural elements through multiple perspectives. Workshops provide opportunities for experiential learning, with an emphasis on 222 ensemble-based improvisation and real-time musical interaction. Students actively participate using their primary instrument or voice, applying concepts in a hands-on, collaborative environment that supports both individual creativity and group cohesion.