University of Edinburgh

This course introduces students to the principal findings, models, and research methods in the field of second language acquisition. The course surveys general issues such as the role of the native language, the effects on the second language on the first, universals, age, input and interaction, and processing, as well as characteristics of the acquisition of phonology, lexicon, and syntax in second language learners. The empirical component of the course provides students with experience in designing and carrying out studies in second language acquisition.

In this course, students are exposed to contemporary research on variation in a diverse range of languages, and are expected to engage with research covering some of the following topics: complex linguistic data from a range of languages (not solely English); diachronic processes of change and the social factors involved in them; patterns of synchronic, inter-dialectal variation in specific present-day languages; language-internal and language-external factors affecting variation; sound change and phonetic variation; patterns of variation and change affecting morphosyntax; and empirical methodologies including experimental research and statistical analysis techniques.

This course provides an understanding of the key determinants of economic development, inequality, and trade. It combines economic theories with empirical studies. It is divided into two halves. In the first half, students study how the economic development of different regions is interconnected through trade. Students begin by examining the patterns of international trade. They then define and use the principle of comparative advantage. They formalize the reasons why countries trade using classical theories and general equilibrium models of trade. These models highlight that trade can generate both gains and inequalities. In the second half, students begin by defining economic development and measuring the gap between poor and rich countries. They define and make use of concepts like poverty, inequality, and economic growth. They then review the classic theories of economic growth, which attempt to explain why some countries are rich and others are poor and contrast those with the contemporary models of development. Students also consider the role of political institutions and human capital in generating economic development.

This introductory course in computer graphics comprises of three parts. The first part of the course presents a bird's-eye view of the current state-of-the-art in the field. The latter two parts cover rendering, which is one of the core topics in computer graphics, in detail. The second part of the course teaches central concepts in rendering, along with the relevant mathematics. Finally, the third part of the course focusses on applications of the theory taught in the second part.

This course explores the intersection of politics and culture in early medieval Europe through the strange fate of the Carolingian kingdom of Lotharingia. The slow-motion collapse of this kingdom, linked to an extraordinary marriage scandal, is uniquely well-documented, through secret treaties, letters both confidential and public, the minutes of staged show trials, records of tense summit meetings, learned legal advice, and rich and often spiteful contemporary narratives. Drawing on these sources, students explore key themes in early medieval European history, including the contested meaning of empire, dynastic rulership, the evolution of queenship, the use of the written word, legal pluralism, the impact of the Vikings, and the changing role of the papacy.

This course provides the theory and practice of knowledge graph construction, reasoning, and question answering technologies. The students analyze case studies to construct knowledge graphs and apply reasoning services on them. The course covers the following topics: knowledge graph foundation and standards; RDF (Resource Description Framework); OWL (Web Ontology Language); SPARQL (Query Language for RDF and OWL); knowledge graph construction, embeddings, and completion
knowledge graph reasoning and querying; tableaux algorithm; tractable schema reasoning in EL; tractable query answering in DL-Lite; and semantic parsing.

This course provides an introduction to written and spoken Modern Standard Arabic for students with no previous knowledge of the language. On completion of this course, the student is able to read and write the Arabic script; has a basic knowledge of grammar and a variety of everyday vocabulary of Modern Standard Arabic; has knowledge of Arabic pronunciation; and is able to conduct simple conversations on a limited range of topics.

In this course, students develop a wide and deep understanding of contemporary Africa, drawing on the multi-disciplinary approach of African Studies. Students learn about the historical roots of modern phenomenon on the continent and situate these within a wider global context. They develop expertise about particular countries and regions as well as on particular themes, depending on the focus of the course for the year. The substantive content of the course changes each year depending on topical issues and is taught by experts on the issue itself or on particular approaches/methods from amongst permanent and postdoctoral staff. 

The course provide students with a comprehensive view of the global Christian movement in time and space. Considers the period from its Middle Eastern and European origins in theological and sociological/political terms to the Inquisition (50.CE to 1500). It looks at the origins and growth of Christianity in the Mediterranean world and beyond, from the first generation of Christians to the fall of Constantinople (50CE to 1453CE). The course covers Christianity's role in and interaction with the various cultures of the Roman and Byzantine Empires, the early and medieval Islamic states, and the emergent civilizations of medieval Europe, looking at persecution, education, mission, monasticism, piety, orthodoxy, and heresy and other major themes. 

South Asia today is not only geo-politically significant but has risen to global prominence as an important locale for burgeoning economic growth and development, cultural production and nation building. This course provides a theoretical framework and empirical illustrations to make this complex region both accessible and better understood. The teaching is multi-disciplinary, providing a unique mix of sociological and anthropological approaches to the region.