Seoul National University

This course provides students with analytical frameworks to interpret and analyze food consumption behavior and characteristics from an economic perspective. The course is divided into two main parts. The first part covers fundamental economic theories related to consumer choice in the context of food and agricultural products. The second part focuses on analyzing key issues surrounding food consumption using both theoretical and empirical methodologies.  

The course focuses on the following topics and approaches: Demand theory; Characteristics of the global food market; Consumer choice theory from the perspective of utility maximization; Key issues in food consumption: information asymmetry, food safety, food labeling systems, and food assistance policies for low-income populations; Analytical methods in food consumption: household production functions and hedonic pricing models. 

Prerequisites: Students should have a basic understanding of microeconomic theories related to demand and market structure.

This physical activity course covers physical strength and the importance of physical training in modern society. Students create a physical training program suitable for themselves and cultivate the basic capacity by following the program, training each part of the body. Training and lectures will be provided so that students can apply scientific principles and exercise prescriptions for building up stamina. The course also focuses on understanding the effect of physical strength.  

This course presents the cellular basis of plant growth and development for undergraduate students in the major of Horticultural Science and Biotechnology. The course provides students with an up-to-date understanding of the plant cell cycle, cell enlargement and cell differentiation processes, which is fundamental for improving plant growth and the production of special plant products. Thorough descriptions on the plant cellular compartments, cell division, dynamic growth and specialization are presented alongside the principles of advanced molecular techniques in genetics and visualization of the plant cell. 

Topics include Molecules and membranes, Nucleus, Protein sorting and transport, Cytoskeleton and cell movement, Plasma membrane, Cell wall, Cell cycle and cytokinesis, Regulation, Stem cells and meristems, Cell differentiation, Cell death.  

This survey course examines innovation holistically, encouraging students to question the status quo and critically examine both the positive and negative impacts of innovation. 

Innovation is often hailed as the ultimate solution to many challenges, ranging from economic growth to technological advancement. However, this enthusiastic embrace of innovation frequently overlooks its significant negative effects on individuals, society, politics, and the environment. While innovation has propelled societies forward in many areas, it has also created new problems, often exacerbating inequalities and producing unforeseen consequences. 

Through lectures and debates on current case studies—such as climate change, the brain drain from poorer countries to developed nations, and the impact of artificial intelligence on individuals and society—students will explore the multifaceted nature of innovation and develop principles for a more inclusive and responsible approach. This course challenges students to think critically about who benefits from innovation and who may be disadvantaged, prompting consideration of ethical, social, and environmental dimensions alongside economic and technological ones. By engaging with diverse perspectives, students gain an appreciation for the complexity of innovation and the importance of a balanced approach. 

This survey course focuses on the political dynamics of populism in contemporary European countries. The course begins by examining how social science researchers define and conceptualize populism, with a focus on identifying its boundaries - what is and is not considered populist.  Despite the widespread use of the term populism, disagreements over its definition and usage, as well as a general lack of clarity surrounding its meaning, hinder our understanding of populist politics and their causes and consequences. The course assesses competing academic definitions, explores subtypes of populism, and evaluates the strengths and weaknesses of existing categorizations. The course addresses a number of key political dynamics and how they relate to populism, including attitudinal change, organizational formation, voting patterns, electoral performance, and protest and riot behavior.  We explore theorized causes such as economic downturns, political competition, migration, inter-cultural group tensions, global trends, and international relations.  In addition to examining its causes, the course studies the effects of populism, including its impact on democratic institutions, inter-group relations, and international relations. 

This survey course covers the ever-changing historical characteristics of Western civilization by examining various cities from ancient Athens to modern New York. Students critically analyze the urban spaces we live in from a historical perspective. It is hardly an exaggeration to say that civilizations were born in cities. The history of cities vividly portrays how broad historical transformations were experienced in the daily lives of ordinary people. Closely paralleling social, economic, cultural, and political changes in Western civilization, cities have taken a wide variety of forms, emerging and disappearing over time. By looking at the historical dynamics involved in the development and decline of the major cities of each era, we can discern the driving forces of civilization and history.  

This course examines controversial issues related to educational policies in multicultural societies. Students explore global case studies, engage with theories of equality and justice, and critically analyze how these issues intersect with multicultural education policy. Topics include religious symbols in public schools, affirmative action, language rights, and many other issues central to multicultural education. Students debate, reflect, and develop their own policy proposals to address real-world equity challenges.  

This class studies the potential of graphic design in terms of productivity and usability while also questioning what value system we can convey through design. It explores the role of promoting through visual communication and adding value to digital products.  

This class researches what potential there is in graphic-driven product design when decoupled from productivity and usefulness. What happens when we consider the ideas of design and products as “useless machines” rather than productive tools. What do products look like that encourage formal experimentation, self-reflection, meaningful interpersonal communication, and logging off? What are the value systems embedded in our interfaces and goods, and how do they perpetuate ideologies? What sort of productive opportunities can be found in being adamantly unproductive?   

This course combines academic inquiry with practical hands-on experience. Students should be comfortable using design software and producing graphic outcomes (these can range from digital outcomes like webpages or videos, to physical materials such as books, posters, textiles, etc.) 

The following activities will take place in-person and online via several platforms: Reading discussion, Topic/lecture/discussion, Project critique/discussion, Group exercises, A weekend workshop, One-on-one meetings, Group meetings.  

Students should also be prepared to complete two individual projects and a group projects and be aware that these projects may comprise up to 70% of the final assessment.