Netherlands

This is a foundation course in Cell Biology. The first part of the course focuses on the molecules that serve as building blocks for cellular components and the chemical reactions by which these molecules are formed or broken down. Special attention is given to proteins, since these molecules are so fundamental to cell function. Next, the concept and process of cell specialization in multicellular organisms is studied by examining how cells maintain, copy, transcribe and translate their genetic material. Cellular organization is studied in the second part of the course. How different cellular components are delivered to the right location and how intercellular communication and cell division take place are reviewed. In addition to acquiring knowledge about the safe handling of microorganisms and cells in laboratory settings, the relevant laws and regulations in the Netherlands about this subject are reviewed. For this purpose, 2 lectures, 2 practicals, an eLearning module, and digital end test are organized. If the end test is completed successfully, students get a certificate indicating they can work in biological laboratories (VMT-certificate).

This course discusses how typical spatial planning debates relate to wider societal challenges (i.e. planning as the “mirror of society”), but also to critically assess how spatial planning practices can therefore crystalize in very different ways from one planning context to the next. All of this is embedded in a thorough understanding of the fundamental concepts of urban and regional planning. Typical planning issues such as coordination between different spatial scales, sectoral and integrated planning approaches, dealing with scarcity, and flexibility vs. legal certainty are covered. Students are instructed through the pragmatic analytical concept of the planning triangle (object, process, context). This analytical framework helps to systematically relate the fundamental concepts of spatial planning to, on the one hand, the planning theoretical underpinnings and historical development of academic planning thought, and, on the other hand, to current planning dilemmas and practices in various planning systems (dominantly of the Netherlands, but also of other cases worldwide). Throughout the course, links are made to relevant planning methods and the role of the planner as ‘mediator’ in spatial planning processes. The course is structured around a series of lectures on basic concepts of spatial planning and putting these within the wider frame of current planning issues, theoretical debates and actual spatial planning practices and systems in the Netherlands and beyond. The lectures are supported by an academic handbook on spatial planning, that is in line with the pace and topics that are covered in the lectures. Students are encouraged to find supplementary academic and professional literature as theoretical underpinnings and empirical illustrations of their written products. The lectures and book are assessed by means of an individual written examination on the content of the course. Students work in groups on a jointly written group assignment. 

The course focuses on agroecological principles to analyze and design sustainable and productive farming systems. Agroecological principles include Recycling and efficiency; Living Soils; Biodiversity; Ecosystem services and multi-functionality; Resilience; Fair Markets; Culture & spirituality; Youth & Women; Adequate Policies & governance; Knowledge co-creation and collaboration. How agroecological farming systems are developed across the world, and how principles can be applied and translated into adaptive farming practices and management are explored There is a strong focus on methods, approaches, and indicators used to assess mechanisms that regulate the ecological functioning of farming systems. Methodologies to involve farmers and promote the dialogue between scientific and practical knowledge for the design of agroecological farming systems are learned.

This course investigates consumer and producer behavior more in-depth and modern microeconomics. Special attention is paid to situations where uncertainty plays a role, to strategic interaction (game theory) and to the consequences of adding psychologically more realistic assumptions about behavior to the mainstream microeconomic model (behavioral economics). The course studies the mechanisms that help us understand that societal and environmental problems are as diverse as nature itself, and that understanding the economics of a more regenerative society requires the study human economic activity in interaction with social, psychological, physical and biological processes. Students are expected to have knowledge of: Microeconomics, Institutions and Welfare (ECB1MI) or Principles of Microeconomics (EC1PME); Mathematics for Economists (ECB1WIS); Statistics (ECB1STAT).

This course reflects on the limits of the field of Conflict Studies to help us understand and explain the international dimensions of violent conflict and how and why advanced militaries wage war. Invigorating a field of War Studies, we will explore various definitions of war and trace how different forms of 21st century warfare impacts our understanding of what war is. Reflecting on several case studies, the course further strengthens conflict analysis skills by studying how these different forms of warfare interact and have an impact on local conflict dynamics and civilian harm.  This course includes inter- and transdisciplinary (guest) lecturers working at the forefront of academic as well as policy debates on these topics. Conflict analysts are trained to translate these academic and policy insights to a broader public through writing a review and making a podcast series. This course equips participants with the knowledge and skills to analyze the changing character of war in the 21st century.

This course offers an introductory study of ancient history, focusing on the Ancient Near East and Greco-Roman antiquity. The course explores the main political, socio-economic, and cultural developments in this epoch between ca. 800 BCE and 500 CE. The course utilizes textbooks, visuals, tutorials, ancient sources, and modern literature in order to offer insight into current scientific debates and to examine specific themes in Greek and Roman history. The course consists of lectures, seminar discussions, assignments, and group work.

The purpose of this course is to provide an overview of the various economic fields by investigating these fields in their historical and methodological context and the linkages between these different fields and to other related sciences.

In this course, aspects of quantity and quality of water are studied at the sub-catchment scale both in theory and in field and laboratory practices. Students learn to apply computational methods in hydrology and chemical & biological measuring techniques as applied in analyses of surface water systems and water quality. The course covers definitions, concepts, processes, flow equations, systems analysis, and (sub-)catchment modeling approaches, measuring methods, and quantification of elements. Specific topics are relationships between landscape morphology and water quality, hydrological cycle (precipitation, evapotranspiration, soil moisture, groundwater), the interaction of groundwater and surface water, (drainage theory, design discharge, dimensioning of drainage and discharge systems, rainfall-runoff relationships in catchments), characterization of water types and aquatic ecosystems by chemical and biological field measurements (nutrients, chloride, alkalinity, oxygen, light absorption, composition of macro-fauna), experimental analysis of eutrophication processes in the laboratory.

This course is meant for anyone interested in alternative forms of organizing in a constantly changing world. The course takes a political perspective on the phenomenon of organizing in order to make sense of both dominant bureaucratic organizations traditionally based on rationality, control and efficiency, and emerging alternative organizations that emphasize participation, democracy and autonomy. Applying a critical management approach, the course examines the contextual forces (e.g. globalization) and societal challenges (e.g. climate change) facing organizations today; the assumptions underlying current logics of organizing, taking the case of the sharing economy and questioning to what extent it can be considered an alternative are explored. Lastly, the course elaborates on the principles and practices associated with other forms of ‘alternative’ organizations and organizing, from social enterprises to cooperatives and social movements. In the second part of the course, students perform a small-scale field study with a subgroup, engaging with a so called ‘alternative’ organization/grassroots’ community/social movement to better explore their organizational functioning. This is a high intensity level 3 course. Active participation forms the backbone of this course.