English

This is a calculus-based physics course with a laboratory component for international summer students. This is the first of a two-course sequence. This intensive course introduces fundamental concepts of physics in the areas of: dynamics & relativity; fluids, waves & sound; heat & thermodynamics; and geometrical & wave optics as a foundation for more advanced studies in Physics and applications in other areas of science. Competence in calculus as well as algebra, geometry, and trigonometry is essential.  This course provides a solid understanding of main physics topics and introduces methods of experimental physics. It provides a good foundation of basic physics for aspiring Physicists as well as being applicable to other areas of science and technology. 

At the end of the 20th century, the official reinvention of the city for the 1992 Olympic games placed Barcelona on the map for the rest of the world. The dramatic changes in the cityscape post-1992, as well as the clever marketing campaigns, rapidly turned Barcelona into the place to be. In the wave of that international renown, Ferran Adrià’s worldwide fame influenced and revolutionized not only the work of many chefs, but also the ways in which we all understand the creative process behind transforming food into cooking and cuisine. The city and industry would never again be the same, but thirty years later and with the UN Sustainable Development Goal 2 on the horizon, Barcelona is now looking at the significant tensions that this transformation involved in terms of gentrification, food insecurity, and social inequalities. This course explores the clash between the celebrated innovation of cuisine that transformed Barcelona and the complex challenges of the resulting 21st century global city, thus deconstructing the myths of food and celebrity.

This course covers advanced topics in plant molecular genetics. Emphasis is given to how modern molecular genetics tools have been applied to study various plant biology topics. Topics include forward and reverse genetics, functional genomics, epigenetics, and plant pathogen interaction. Lectures are combined with literature reading, student presentations and discussion. Towards the end of the semester, each student is also required to write a research proposal/review. Assessment: homework, paper presentation, research proposal/review article, and discussion participation.

This course introduces the world of intelligence; both the theoretical and practical concepts, as well as how it works in both the public sector (government agencies) and the private sector (corporations and intelligence vendors). It provides an understanding of concepts such as the Intelligence Cycle, intelligence analysis, intelligence collection methods (human intelligence, open-source intelligence, signals intelligence) and briefing techniques. The ethics of intelligence and the differences in the public and private sector are introduced, as well as career options in intelligence. This course uses case studies of intelligence operations in both government and corporate environments to expose real world applications of intelligence tradecraft.

This course explores the 18th century's fascination with the body and constructions of the self by considering literary representations of the body. Ideals of beauty are examined, as well as anxieties surrounding sexuality and the roles of both men and women, as masculinities and femininities are debated with regards to cultural production. The course also investigates material considerations, reflecting on clothing and disguise, as well as considering the body in relation to discourses of travel and the military. Slavery, incarceration, and the body in pain are particular concerns in writing from this period, and theories engaging with class and race inform our analysis of various relationships and power structures. Students also investigate how authors consider the physical and emotional response of their readers in achieving their aims, and engage with disability studies in considering these authors and their characters in terms of 18th-century concepts of defectiveness. This course explores the 18th-century body across a range of genres, engaging with novels, poetry, and a play, as well as discussing examples of life writing, including letters and biography.

This course presents the social, political and cultural characteristics of the Nordic countries and how the modern Nordic countries and societies – taken as a whole – can be distinguished from other social, political and cultural systems. Examining the 'Nordic model’ and its sustainability, each lecture explores a specific theme, ranging from macro-historical comparisons, through decentralization policies, changes and challenges to the welfare state, its multiculturalism, family policies, welfare governance, higher education, and health policies. The course explores the rich sociocultural aspects of Nordic societies, covering also themes such as sustainable development and Nordic sustainability experiences, and developments in the aquaculture sector.

This course examines the relationship between science, policy and society. It explores how different knowledge traditions – the scientific method, post-positivist science, Indigenous and local knowledges, citizen science, and the knowledge-industrial complex – converge or collide in real policy arenas. It focuses on translation and impact: how evidence informs legislation, markets and multilateral agreements; how scientists and communities communicate more effectively with policymakers; and how non-expert knowledge can reframe agendas. Learning is interactive, combining lectures, class discussions and practical activities to critique “truth” claims and better understand evidence-informed action.