Yonsei University

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. 

Health psychology is the study of how biological, psychological, and social factors influence health, illness, and healthcare. This course aims to (1) understand the field of health psychology, (2) examine the biopsychosocial model in health promotion and risk behaviors, (3) integrate biological, psychological, and social approaches to prevention and treatment, and (4) analyze how behaviors and psychosocial factors like stress impact physical and mental health. Topics include The systems of the body, Stress, Coping, resilience and social support, Health behaviors, Health promoting behaviors, Health compromising behaviors, The management of pain and discomfort, Management of chronic health disorders, Psychological issues in terminal illness, Heart disease, hypertension, stroke, and Type II Diabetes, Psychoneuroimmunology and immune-related disorders, and Using health services / Patients, providers, and treatments. 

This course covers Social Psychology, which is the scientific study of behavior and cognition in social situations and the examination of causation factors. Hence, the course psychologically explores major social phenomena in contemporary society, and reviews relevant studies on psychological undertones of such phenomena.   

The course examines human characteristics in the context of Social Psychology in order to understand contemporary social issues. Topics include the influence of others, relations with others, evaluation of others and social phenomenon, social phenomenon happening in social groups, and more. Students will gain an enhanced understanding of themselves, others, and society at large by exploring how social phenomena, social issues, and daily experiences can be interpreted through theories of social psychology. The course goal is to increase understanding of how people perceive others and the social environments around them, how people respond to these social stimuli, and how they are affected by these factors.