English

This course provides the conceptual tools needed to understand, analyze, and critically and constructively engage with ongoing societal transformations induced by climate change, biodiversity, and other ecological crises, colloquially known as green transition. It builds on scholarship and meso-level theories founded in environmental and climate sociology, branching also into other literatures to ask foundational questions about society-wide change towards sustainability: how much of it is currently happening across societal sectors, domains, and levels; how it has or is currently being brought about; and what shapes, conditions, or hampers more of it. The course begins by reviewing debates on two contrasting diagnoses: the risk society diagnosis of Ulrich Beck and the ecological modernization diagnosis of Maarten Hajer, John Dryzek, and others. At stake is the question of the place of environmental concern, policy, and practice in reworking (late) modernity. From here, the course delves into the main institutional vectors of green social change, covering in turn questions of socio-technical change (green technological innovation, changing infrastructures); political-economic change (shifting modes of governance and politics, new circular market models); mobilization-driven change (environmental social movements, urban green communities); changing North-South relations (new globalized inequalities, climate justice activism); everyday practice change (emerging consumptions habits, new social distinctions and divisions); and cultural value change (continuity and change in moral valuations of ‘nature’ in the Anthropocene). Throughout, the focus is on understanding present-day green social change in light of historical experience and meso-level sociological theory, with a view to taking stock of what near-future changes lie ahead. Alongside examining the various substantive dimensions of green transition, it also discusses adequate methodological strategies affiliated with the different problem complexes and vectors of social change. Throughout, students work on aligning analytical and methodological strategies via case analyses.

The course covers various aspects of the changing international business environment, and their impact upon business operations and strategy. It gives students an appreciation of the business difficulties faced; the variety of factors influencing the choices and compromises that have to be made in international businesses, and the implications of those for the future viability and effectiveness of the organizations concerned.

This course explores microbiological concepts relevant to agricultural, environmental, and food applications. Examples relate microbiological theory to the production and spoilage of foods and fodders, water quality, microbiological regulation of nutrient cycles, animal and plant health, and biotechnology. Students are introduced to common microorganisms and consider growth, classification, genetics, survival, and control by sterilization, disinfection, immunization, and antibiotics. As part of the theoretical and practical aspects of the course students gain experience with microbiological laboratory methodologies such as microscopy, sterile technique, and the isolation and identification of pure cultures.

Castles remain the most impressive physical reminders of Scotland's medieval past. The great royal fortresses of Edinburgh and Stirling provide symbols of Scotland's past nationhood; the ruined walls and towers of baronial castles demonstrate the power and pretensions of the great lords of the middle ages. As military strongholds, centers of government and lordship, and residences of royal and aristocratic households, these castles give access to the main themes of medieval Scottish politics and society. This course studies the castle in its context: the changing needs of military and domestic architecture in response to the needs of war and peace; the siting of castles and their use in wider structures of authority from Lothian and the marches to the Hebrides; and their role in warfare, as places of refuge and as bases for garrisons. Architectural and archaeological evidence is combined with descriptions of the Scottish castle in chronicles and record sources to obtain a full understanding of the buildings and their functions.

Evolving management practices and the proliferation of an online, interconnected, global business world have led to greater interaction between employees, management, clients, and the public at a global and intercultural level. These include written correspondence with clients; messages targeting mass public audiences; critical business and product presentations, and event self-presentation. It is no surprise that Business Communications skills are listed as a top workplace skill by employers and recruiters. This course aims to develop written and spoken communication proficiency for various scenarios in the business setting.