Pompeu Fabra University

This course aims to reflect on ideology, the construction of identities, and the representations of facts and languages ​​that emerge in hegemonic neoliberal discourses (focusing on multiple areas of society: health, culture, interpersonal relationships, labor relations, digital communications, etc.) It also seeks to develop critical intercultural competence, focusing on a key question: what is culture? Clichés, cultural misunderstandings, stereotypes, and prejudices surrounding identities are examined. This course is taught in Spanish and a minimum level of B2 Spanish language background is required.

This course examines the rich and complex history of Catalonia, from the Middle Ages to the present day. Students explore the formation and evolution of Catalonia, beginning with its medieval origins and the development of a distinct Catalan identity. Key historical milestones, such as the War of the Spanish Succession, the rise of Catalan nationalism, and the impact of the Spanish Civil War, are analyzed to understand their enduring influence on contemporary Catalan society and politics. 

Additional topics include the relationship between Catalonia and the broader Spanish state, significant political movements and cultural developments, including the Renaixença (Catalan Renaissance), the establishment of the Generalitat (Catalan Government), and the recent push for independence. Through a multidisciplinary approach, incorporating history, political science, and cultural studies, students gain a comprehensive understanding of Catalonia's socio-political landscape. The course also addresses contemporary issues such as language policy, regional autonomy, and the economic challenges facing Catalonia within the European Union.

This course covers 1000-1500 in premodern Spain. Through a selection of poems, chronicles, and legal works, students examine the ideological and social development of the peninsula through the eyes of those who witnessed it. The aim of this approach is to better grasp the interplay between ideas and writing from multiple perspectives. The selected texts demonstrate the depiction and role of women, Muslims, Jews, conversos (recent Jewish converts to Christianity), nobles, knights, and kings during the time period, giving a better insight into the way written media shaped the views and ideals of those who lived then, as well as the current understanding of the era. Themes include heroes and villains; the description of women; marginalized groups (e.g., Muslims); and the power of entertainment as a moral, persuasive, and educational tool. Through these thematic axes, students understand the development of history and ideas, as well as the diversity of perspectives and people from the Middle Ages.

This course provides an overview of how clinical research is conducted, from the identification of molecules with potential therapeutic interest to their approval by regulatory entities and the publication/dissemination of results to the scientific community. Through lectures, practical sessions, and practical problem-based learning, the various phases of clinical trials are explained in detail, using real examples. 

This course explores both the theoretical and practical components of Self-Portrait as a genre. Students learn to observe and reflect on how they see themselves and how others see them. Students explore personal identity using mixed media and film diaries of everyday lives. The course includes three small projects, one for each genre topic and students analyze both classic and contemporary works throughout the course.

In this course, students analyze and discuss the different cultural forms (literature, film, art, philosophy, etc.) of the last 200 years that have influenced Western tradition, from Goethe to Miyazaki. The course aims to be a theoretical, practical, and experiential journey that helps students question and reflect on the humanities and their current relationship with nature, creating a baseline for analyzing any other discipline with ecological thought. This course is taught in Spanish and requires level B2 Spanish language background.

This course addresses the political and cultural dimensions of artificial intelligence and network technologies in a range of global contexts. Through an interdisciplinary approach that incorporates the fields of media and communication studies, critical theory, and the philosophy of technology, the course examines the technical and conceptual elements of machine learning, digital automation, and online communication in order to develop an understanding of their social impacts and historical consequences. Topics include: the structure of neural networks and online protocols; the rise of cybernetics as a political logic and technical form; the history of digital logistics and automation; ethical issues surrounding the widespread installation of these technologies across different sectors of society. 

The course explores how the regional Catalan cinema (Catalan language productions), which encounters a disadvantage in the broader market dominated by Spanish-speaking audiovisuals, achieves distinctiveness, with a focus on the representation of women, social inequality, diverse minorities, and sustainability. Emphasizing the intersection of these issues, the course delves into the complexities of current Catalan social struggles on and off the screen. The course is divided into lectures, screenings, readings, discussions, group presentations, creative work in groups and field trips to filming locations and Catalan production firms.

This course dives into the complexity of globalization. It explores in-depth fundamental concepts such as multiculturalism, diversity, inter-culturalism, and superdiversity, highlighting their dynamic evolution and their profound impact on the business fabric. It offers a comprehensive analysis of disparities between countries, addressing crucial aspects such as political economy, country risks and diverse cultural and social heterogeneities. Class sessions introduce essential debates related to cultural construction, formal and informal institutions, economic development, and regional integrations.

This course is also referred to as International Dynamics and Cross-Cultural Negotiation: Global Environment.