Yonsei University

This course provides an introduction to the milestones of human development from conception to childhood. It focuses on how children change as they progress through life and how differences among children come about. The content is drawn from research and theories in developmental psychology. Topics include prenatal development, perceptual and cognitive development in infancy, language development, preschool, temperament, attachment, and moral development. Text: Martha Lally and Suzanna Valentine-French, LIFESPAN DEVELOPMENT: A PSYCHOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVE. Assessment: class attendance and activities (20%), exams (80%).

This course covers literature on innovation and entrepreneurship and reviews policy options for the government from a comparative perspective. Innovation and entrepreneurship have been regarded as sources of economic vitality and growth. Recent successes of Silicon Valley and Korea are good examples. Students deepen their understanding of literature in innovation and entrepreneurship; learn to understand the effects and limits of various policies adopted by different countries; and examine the changes in the global supply chain, investigating the proper adoption of the changes.

Topics include Why Science, Technology, and Innovation Matter?, Models for R&D Policy: Technology Push & Demand Pull, Systems of Innovation, Theory of Firm Innovation, : Economic Growth and Social Capital, Innovative Region and City, Strategy for Catch-up: Korean Case, Democratizing Innovation, Role of Scientists in the S&T policy making process, How Economics Shapes Science, and Open Innovation.

This course, via an emphasis on analytical thinking rather than memorization, introduces the major developments in ancient Chinese history from early human settlements to the fall of the Han dynasty (ca. 2000 BCE–220 CE). We explore the rise of early states, the growth of bronze-age cultures, the formation of imperial government, and the spread of classical philosophies.  

The course also examines the role of nomadic societies, especially the Xiongnu and their early predecessors, in shaping the political and cultural landscape of early China. 

 Students learn to analyze both archaeological evidence and historical texts to better understand how ancient Chinese and steppe civilizations interacted and co-evolved.  

Students are encouraged to engage critically with historical sources and debates, and to focus on interpretation, context, and historical reasoning rather than factual recall. The goal is to understand the formation and structure of ancient Chinese civilization. Students gain a comprehensive understanding of the political, social, and ideological development of ancient China from the Neolithic period to the Han empire. Emphasis is placed on the formation of centralized states, classical philosophical traditions, and the institutional foundations of early empires. Students also analyze interactions between sedentary and nomadic societies. Through the case of the Xiongnu and their predecessors, students explore the dynamics between the Chinese states and the steppe world. The course emphasizes frontier politics, military confrontation, cultural exchange, and the construction of regional order in early East Asia. 

This course covers international migration and multicultural phenomena from a political perspective. International migration brings not only economic impacts but also significant political, social, and cultural challenges. These include issues such as border control, membership in the nation-state, and the social integration of immigrant groups. South Korea is no exception to these trends. Since the late 1980s, the influx of migrant workers, ethnic Koreans from China entering the domestic labor market, and the sharp rise in international marriage migration in the 2000s have presented the country with a new multicultural reality—one it had not previously experienced. Through this course, students critically examine Korea's multicultural landscape both theoretically and comparatively, drawing on case studies from other countries. 

This course is an introduction to communication technology. Students learn about the adoption, use, applications, effects, and implications of communication technologies. More specifically, we discuss communication processes and dynamics in various contexts (e.g., social media, gaming, online communities) and at different levels (e.g., intrapersonal, interpersonal, group), as well as their psychological, societal, and ethical implications. Throughout the course, we read relevant literature selected from academic journals, reports, and articles targeting the general public, and watch pertinent videos. 

This project-based learning (PBL) course examines how the literary works of Han Kang, the 2024 Nobel laureate, are transformed and reimagined through digital media. Focusing on her distinctive narrative techniques, the course explores Han’s treatment of violence, trauma, and feminist resistance, with particular attention to the Gwangju Uprising and the embodied experience of her characters. Students analyze, remix, and remediate Han’s texts using digital storytelling tools and practices enriched by meta-information such as hashtags, rankings, and user comments, while critically examining the institutions and platforms that shape these technologies to engage diverse audiences. Through close reading, creative adaptation, and critical discussion, participants gain a deeper understanding of Han Kang’s poetic and experimental style, the socio-political contexts behind her writing, and the complexities of translating her work for a global readership. The course culminates in individual and collaborative digital projects highlighting the evolving relationship between contemporary Korean literature and digital culture.

This course has two main goals. The first goal is to introduce major trends in contemporary housing and the second is to envision future living spaces. The living spaces in this course include residential, recreational, commercial, working, educational, and healthcare spaces. Students attain a global perspective in contemporary living spaces; explore current living space trends and case studies; and examine major keywords for future living spaces. The final project consists of a short research study in which students envision future living spaces for various demographics, including but not limited to the elderly, young generation, dual-income families, office workers, K-12 students, patients and healthcare providers, and people with disabilities. 

No prerequisite required, but it is recommended to take undergraduate "Creating and Understanding Spaces (HID 1101)" for any introductory interior design courses. 

The course introduces the study of genetics and focuses on understanding phenotypic variation and the mechanisms underlying inheritance. The processes that participate in converting an individual’s genotype into the phenotypes displayed by that individual are of particular interest and importance. In this course students explore the fundamental properties of genes and the various approaches to genetic analysis, as it is performed in several different model organisms. When applicable, the course examines current examples of genetics issues that
arise in the literature or in the media and link these examples to topics covered in class.

Prerequisites: General Biology

This course provides a step-by-step approach to tackle any personal, professional, or world issue imaginable. Learn techniques to clearly define problems, research solutions, weigh options, and implement plans. Gain the skills to transition from panic to possibility. This course takes an interactive, hands-on approach to building problem-solving skills. Through case studies, team projects, and simulations, students learn and practice key frameworks including defining problems, researching context and analyzing root causes, brainstorming creative solutions, evaluating options, planning implementation, and communicating and collaborating. The course provides abundant opportunities to apply problem-solving techniques to real-world issues. Students develop critical thinking, teamwork, communication, and creativity skills to become decisive, strategic problem solvers.

This course covers basic concepts in real estate finance, including basic concepts in mortgages, time value of money, income producing property taxes, and real estate investment and accounting issues. In addition, this course covers current issues in real estate finance, such as household debt or sub-prime crisis in the US. At the end of this lecture, the course briefly introduces how to manage micro-level data and calculate some statistical moments. Topics include Mortgage loan foundation: The time value of money, Fixed interest rate mortgage loan, Adjustable and floating rate mortgage loans, Mortgages: Additional concepts, analysis, and applications, Single-family housing: Pricing, Investment, and tax consideration, Underwriting and financing residential properties, Understand a toy mortgage default model (one-sided limited commitment model), Income-producing properties: Leases, rents, and the market for space, Investment analysis and taxation of income properties, Financial leverage and financing alternatives, and Risk analysis. 

Prerequisite: Macroeconomics, financial economics, econometric, and economic mathematics are recommended.