Fall Semester Elective 2027
12 - 15 credits
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Jump toEl principal objetivo de este curso es proporcionar herramientas conceptuales para comprender las creaciones artisticas de diferentes momentos historicos en el arte espanol. Empezando el recorrido del arte espanol desde el legado griego y llegando a la posmodernidad, valoraremos sus caractersticas formales y su significado. Analizaremos las conexiones de los fenmenos artsticos con otras manifestaciones culturales, asi como con la poltica, la sociedad, la filosofa, la religion y la economia para tener una amplia vision de todo el contexto.
The course is designed for photography enthusiasts who want to take control of their camera and start to explore the beauty and diversity of photography.The course is divided in 2 parts.In part 1 ( technical ) students will get in-depth knowledge of digital cameras, learn the basic of composition , retouch images and learn about and get inspiration from some of the historical masters of photography.In part 2 ( project ) students will apply what they learned in part 1 and use their skills to work on an individual photography project. The task of part 2 is to conceptualize, edit a photographic essay and learn the ability to work independently on photographic subjects.
Modernism is the most idiosyncratic, creative and original of all European Art Nouveau movements. It also gives Barcelona its distinctive image and brings to mind the name of Gaudi. But a general overview of this style will always be slightly misleading just because in Modernism the art is in the detail, and details are what general overviews leave out . This course offers the opportunity to discover the master works of Barcelona’s Art Nouveau architecture and the marvels of design contained in them. The history and cultural context of Modernism will be explained in the classroom. But this course will give special emphasis to the outdoors practice. Students will do sketches in front of the buildings and in the museum discovering and appreciating the often hidden qualities of the flowing Art Nouveau lines. The approach will be much more personal and accurate than if given in the strictly academic fashion.
This course gives an overall view of the art history of Spain from prehistoric times to the present, dealing in more detail with the Baroque period, Modernism and 20th century art. There will be regular visits to museums in order to keep the course as close to real artistic practice as possible. However, this course also has a special focus on the theory aspects of Art History, which we will develop throughout the in-class sessions. Attendance to class and oral participation is very important, and all students are expected to contribute to the class development with their questions and commentaries, and preparing beforehand reading assignments and visits to exhibitions. These tasks will be discussed in class.
The course provides an introduction to Spanish contemporary art, it examines the concepts behind the work and the evolution of Spanish art in relation to similar movements in Europe and the United States The course is complimented by visits to relevant exhibitions in Barcelona and talks by professional artists.
This programme has been designed to teach students about the great art collections preserved in the most important Spanish museums. We study the origin and formation of these collections as well as the way they are in display today. Along the course, the student will be also able to recognize the most important masterpieces of the Spanish art, know the reasons that account for their unanimous positive appraisal, and analyze their artistic characteristics and their social and historical implications. The methods of instruction will include lectures, oral presentations by the students and at least one field visit with the professor. Other field trips will be proposed to be done by the students individually.
This program has been designed to teach students about the cultural diversity and richness of the Spanish Heritage. They will study the most representative buildings of each period that have been included in the Unesco’s World Heritage List for having outstanding universal value. Along the course, students will be also able to recognize the most important masterpieces of the Spanish architecture, know the reasons that account for their unanimous positive appraisal, and analyze their artistic characteristics and their social and historical implications. The methods of instruction will include lectures and field visits.
This course focuses on how Public Art, Graffiti and Urban Interventions have an important cultural value to a forever developing city. Urban environments with a strong public art expression give communities a stronger sense of place and identity. In the first part of the course, students will develop an understanding of the fundamental elements which help us look at and observe painting and sculpture. This foundation will then be used in order to further analyze the content and intentions of Spanish and International artists’ work that contribute to a local cultural sense of identity.The second part of the program looks specifically at Public works of art as Urban Interventions with reference to the cityscape of Barcelona (world renowned for its development of urban spaces). In order to maintain the course as close to real artistic practice, there will be scheduled visits to various museums and public spaces.
This course focuses on analyzing and understanding how European businesses operate with a very practical focus. It does this by providing the opportunity to directly analyze the strategies and operational activities of today’s European framework, and more specifically, how these are applied to Catalan and Spanish businesses.Students will establish direct contact with Barcelona’s business world, where, with the assistance of the professor, they will gain hands-on experience seeing, observing, asking, interacting and analyzing different companies. Direct personal interviews with Business Managers are conducted to get to students a first-hand highly valuable testimonial related to managerial experiences, competitive advantages and daily operations.
This course aims to enable students to find their place in the labor market by developing the appropriate competencies and promoting the right attitudes and behavior at work. This ongoing process embraces some subprocesses such as self-awareness, career exploration, career planning, continuous learning, and managing networking.The program takes a holistic view of the individual within a dynamic economy. Managing life trajectories in a global world demands agility, creativity, tech-savvy, teamwork, emotional intelligence, cultural awareness, flexibility, analytical skills, and critical thinking. Those are some of the competencies which will be developed along this course.In the context of Business, students will work on their personal marketing plan and their blogs. Therefore, participants will learn how to make a marketing plan to place themselves into the labor market through efficient personal branding techniques.The methodology promotes introspection, analytical and critical thinking, giving and receiving feedback from classmates and the professor, and teamwork. This is a course all students should take to clarify their career choices and to develop their resources to accomplish both their personal and professional goals.
In an increasingly global world, managers must be able to handle diversity effectively.The aim of this module is therefore: 1. To increase the awareness of the impact of national cultures on business. 2. To provide the students with theoretical and practical tools in order to improve their productivity when working and doing business with people from other cultures. 3. To make the students more aware of their personal orientations.
Emerging economies account for about 120 of a total of 160 countries recognized by the United Nations. In todays global environment, as companies seek sustainable competitive advantage, they need to develop effective strategies to deal with emerging markets. This course is centered on the challenges and opportunities associated with organizational management and business strategy in emerging economies. Business cases in emerging economies from diverse geographical regions such as Asia, Latin America, Middle East and Eastern Europe will be discussed.
In a rapidly changing world IT is having more of a permanent and far-reaching effect than any other technology in the history of humanity. This course examines major concepts behind E-Commerce, including its technological foundation, business models and strategies, digital marketing and advertising, as well as the related ethical and legal issues.Using a combination of lectures, readings, case studies and experiential learning through group projects, this course has been designed to give the student a hands-on experience.
The purpose of this course is to explore business creation and growth as a multidimensional phenomenon in both independent and corporate (intrapreneurship) settings. By linking theory and practice the course aims to provide students an entrepreneurial perspective and a hands-on experience in the development of new business ventures.
El Marketing de productos y servicios es un fenomeno fascinante, trascendiendo las fronteras politicas y geograficas. Este curso se centra en la estrategia de marketing y gestion en el contexto de los mercados internacionales. Introduce la compleja realidad de la comercializacion internacional que esta en constante evolucion. Evalua como las diferencias culturales, sociales, legales y economicas se relacionan con el marketing.Su objetivo es mejorar las competencias del estudiante en el desarrollo y aplicacion de estrategias de comercializacion y la toma de decisiones en el contexto internacional.
Although international business has been important for decades, its impact on our lives has been more visible in the recent years. I am presently typing this syllabus in a computer manufactured by an American corporation (H-P), many of whose components are produced in Taiwan or mainland China. The computer was assembled in the Czech Republic and purchased to the Spanish HP subsidiary in an Internet Auction conducted by an American firm (Ebay). A few minutes ago, a courier delivered me the latest International Business book I ordered a week ago from a UK Internet-bookstore.We will begin the course focusing on the economic foundations of internationalbusiness. Next we will consider the main forces that shape business across countries:political, economic, cultural and legal forces. The last part of the course will analyze theinternal aspects of a firm oriented towards international business.
This course extends the principles of finance to the international context. Topics include exchange rate determination, foreign exchange markets, currency derivatives (forwards, futures, swaps, options and money market), and exposure (translation, transaction and economic)
The main aim of this course is to become familiar with different marketing strategies within the context of international markets. You will explore all the challenges faced in international markets (cultural differences, economic systems, financial markets, governments, and legal systems), and work on the notion of building a knowledge base through international marketing research. You will gain insight into modes of entry into foreign markets and how to apply the 4Ps of marketing to different sectors of business.Case studies of different market sectors and countries are used to link theory with practice.
This course will help you develop managerial competencies required to succeed in a global business environment. Develop your own style within a diverse, multicultural context while identifying and adopting the key characteristics of successful leaders.Problem solving and decision-making are practiced in self-directed collaborative teams, with reflection and feedback as part of the learning process to help you internalize the main concepts. The instructor is a psychologist and executive coach with vast experience in leading and inspiring international teams.
The service business industry has positioned itself like one of the main economic engines of the first world countries (mainly in Europe and the US). Due to this fact, it is really important analyse deeply the drivers that impact in the service business.This course presents a deep analysis in terms of interrelations which exist between marketing processes, operations, logistics and human resources in the services industry.The course will analyse many differences in the concept of efficiency, quality, personal touch and other variables between the US, Europe and Asia. The international perspective will evaluate the most important issues to take into account in the services industry in different countries and clusters.
Nowadays almost everything can be replicated except the value of the human capital of an organization. And it is precisely this which makes a company exceptional and competitive. People management, talent management or previously called human resources management can be defined as the effective use of human capital in an organization through the management of people-related activities. The old Personnel Department has evolved into the modern concept of People or Talent Department which means not only a change in the label but also a shift from a bureaucratic department into a strategic one. Besides, the workforce costs may represent from 50 to 80% of the total company budget. The aim of this course is to familiarize students with the processes, principles, and techniques of workforce management. The program takes a practical view that integrates the last theories of People Management and Organization Development with the practice in the real world. And, although not everyone who takes this course will become a Head of People, as executives and managers they will be involved in managing their teams and work as People Partners. Effectively, the modern conceptions of Talent Management consider the Managers to be the real Head of People of their teams, being the Talent or People Department, a facilitator. People management involves planning, organizational structure, equity and diversity, staffing, induction, training & development, performance management, work climate, labor relations, managing compensation and benefits, health& safety, and employees separations. All those processes significantly influence the corporate culture. The role of the People Manager pivots around two axes: people and business; and it is based on competencies as David Ulrich et al. (2007) states in his HR competency model. Therefore, the approach to People Management on this course will go around competencies.
The main objective of this course is to equip students with current knowledge and practical skills in strategic management. This is especially important in order to provide up-to-date applied knowledge of fundamental strategic issues, their pitfalls, and how to read between-the-lines of strategic management. This will be very useful for your career as a consultant, business analyst, corporate director, etc. We will discuss up-to- date and hot topics that companies face today.
This course will reflect on the importance of the media in the production, reproduction and perpetuation (or change) of gender roles. We will investigate how socially constructed gender categories inform our daily lives as citizens, consumers and creators of public discourse. We will also explore the dynamic relationship between gender and other identity categories (race, religion, class, sexuality, nationality, etc.). Finally, this course will analyse the contents of the press, radio, television, TV series, movies and Internet from a gender perspective.
In a global world successful communication between international colleagues is key to developing successful business and personal relationships. This course explores the skills and knowledge that will increase your understanding and awareness of the impact of culture on communication.Increase your self-awareness by recognizing your own cultural values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors. Develop your cultural knowledge and other-awareness to observe and identify the roles, behaviors, attitudes, and cultural orientations of your counterparts and work on strategies to maximize your intercultural competence.
This course takes soccer as an illustration of theories and empirical evidence related to economic incentives and behaviour. Soccer is widely followed and generates a great amount of information. This knowledge is used in a systematic way to explore the validity of economic theories and to empirically test predictions generated by these theories.
Econometrics presents basic tools for the empirical analysis of relationships between economic variables. The course begins with the simple regression model, and continues with multiple regression, including both quantitative and qualitative regressors. The goal of this course is for students to learn to extract information from economic data using basic regression analysis, being able to rigorously assess the advantages and limitations of this tool. Major emphasis shall be placed on understanding the intuition behind the general theoretical aspects of econometric analysis. Throughout the course numerous applications using real data and econometric software will be presented to help students learn to value the empirical applications of the tools introduced.
Geopolitics is the art and practice of using political power over a given territory. Traditionally, the term has applied primarily to the impact of geography on politics, but its usage has evolved over the past century to encompass a wider connotation. In academic circles, the study of Geopolitics involves the analysis of geography, history and social science with reference to spatial politics and patterns at various scales (ranging from the level of the state to international). The term was coined by Rudolf Kjellen, a Swedish political scientist, at the beginning of the 20th century. Kjellen was inspired by the German geographer Friedrich Ratzel, who published his book Politische Geographie (political geography) in 1897, popularized in English by American diplomat Robert Strausz-Hupe, a faculty member of the University of Pennsylvania. Halford Mackinder greatly pioneered the field also, though he did not coin the term of geopolitics.
Inequality defines the world we live in. At the turn of the 21st century, the richest five percent of people received one-third of total global income, the next 15 percent richer got another third while the poorest 80 percent of the population had to share the remaining third. In this course we will study the development of international and global inequality, inequality within nations, gender inequality and poverty in the long run. The main questions that the student will be able to discuss are: has inequality increased over time?, does globalisation make the world more unequal?, what policies have been implemented in order to reduce inequality and how effective have they been?, and why should we care about poverty?
International economics is divided into two broad subfields: international trade and international money. International trade focuses on real transactions in the international economy, that is, on those transactions that involve a physical movement of goods. On the other hand, international money focuses on financial transactions and refers to the monetary side of the international economy. This course deals with the first aspect of international economics, i.e. the real transactions and focuses on two main aspects of it: international trade theory and evidence and international trade policy.
Crypto economy and decentralized finance (DeFi) will increasingly be part of our lives. This course is designed to understand the basic principles and mechanics behind cryptocurrencies, digital assets and blockchain technologies. It covers how decentralized finance systems work, such as exchanges or smart contracts, how DeFi platforms are used to invest and trade digital assets, cryptocurrencies or crypto projects, and how blockchain technology is the basis for innovation and new business models. You’ll also learn about the potential risks to navigate this new world. The course incorporates concepts like justice, equity, diversity, and inclusion, ensuring that participants not only understand the technicalities but also the broader social implications of crypto economy and decentralized finance. Therefore, it emphasizes the potential of these technologies and a financial framework to foster a more inclusive and fair world
This is an introductory course to the politics of development from a comparative perspective. We will be addressing development issues across different points in time and across different world regions. Two main topics/concepts will be analyzed throughout the semester: development and the state. We will study Latin America, Africa, and Asia, which form part of what is known as the developing world or Third World, which in fact we will make a problem out of this labeling. We will as well present a comparative overview of the Latin American, African, and Asian regions in general; and address and familiarize ourselves with the debates surrounding the virtues & vices of market economies (and globalization). In addition, we will seek to answer part of this course title’s premise/question, why did Francisco Pizarro (Spanish conquistador) won over Atahualpa (Inca Emperor)? throughout the semester. A cultural component, a film or play (related to development politics), will be part of this course by the end of the semester.
This course examines the main changes in Politics, Economics and War since 1914 focusing in the different academic schools that tried to explain the major changes that affected Humans during the 20th century. Also important will be the study of all these theories that tried to organise how Humans live. These theories embrace Economics, Politics and Sociology.One important element to be studied in this course is war, understanding this element as the last tool used by the State to achieve goals or stability.
This course in designed as a brief introduction to individual decision making. Its main objective is to provide the students with decision theory and game theory tools that can be useful not only in business environments but also in everyday life. We begin with an experiment including several basic decision problems and games. The second and the third part of the course are the core of the subject where the student actually learns how to solve and analyse decision problems and games. Once the basic theory is learned, we proceed to some critiques and alternative approaches.
The purpose of the course is to make the students aware of the crucial role of creativity and innovation in 21st century and provide them with tools to be effective actors of change in their organizations in the future.The course has the following main learning objectives: 1. Understand the importance of creativity and innovation for the companies in the 21st century. 2. Be aware of the impact of national cultures on creativity and innovation. 3. Hear experiences from creative people to learn from them. 4. Encourage the students to think “out of the box” 5. Provide the students with tools to improve their creativity. 6. Know the big trends for the future and where to find information about. 7. Gain knowledge on the online tools available to help them in the innovation process
This course aims to deepen student knowledge of the institutional functioning of the EU as well as its most important economic policies. The course will briefly review the history of the EU and its most important economic institutions. Then we will examine both the main differences in the member state’s economies and the EU’s budget in an effort to understand the ongoing budgetary debate in the Union. We will also review three important EU policies namely, the agricultural policy with an emphasis on possible future reforms, the EU’s regional policy in the light of the increasing competitiveness brought on by each successive step in European integration and the EU’s trade policy which includes a discussion of the most important economic accords between the EU and third countries. We will also consider the implications for the EU of the adoption of the Single Market and the European Monetary Union as well as carefully consider the relationship of the latter with labor markets in Europe.
This course is aimed at students who want to improve Spanish language, focused primarily in the field of Business. After completing this course, students will have the language skills needed to navigate the scope of the Hispanic business world.
Upon successful completion of the Introduction to Catalan Language course, students are able to cope linguistically in a range of limited but basic survival situations which require a very predictable use of language. They can:- Give simple personal details about themselves, such as where they live, who they know, what they like and what they have.- Express basic needs. Ask for and give specific information using common, everyday expressions and very simple phrases.- Understand short texts, expressed in simple language, directed at the general public.- Identify the central topic of longer messages and extract the main relevant points.- Write short, simple notes and texts and complete forms with personal details.Methodology: Teachers use a communicative approach to language teaching where activities designed to develop listening and speaking skills form a major part of the course. Students are also encouraged to develop strategies for learning that will help them to study the language independently.
Students will be placed automatically depending upon language level.
Students will be placed automatically depending upon language level.
The goal of this course is to offer an in-depth introduction to a fundamental geostrategic area since the end of World War II, that is, the Middle East. The course will cover region by region but always trying to keep the global picture behind the specific region.The title of this course makes reference to both, Carter Doctrine (1980) and George W. Bush’s Greater Middle East and North Africa Initiative (2004), by which the Middle East region is studied with North Africa, the Horn of Africa and Central Asia, covering the Area of Influence of the Central Command.
Discover the fascinating history behind Catalonias capital city through the eyes of a local historian. The study of Barcelonas urban planning and architecture is set in a historical, political and social framework starting from the citys origins in Roman times to its present-day status as an innovative, world-famous metropolis.This course includes virtual tours of the fascinating city of Barcelona.
Este curso da un extenso repaso a la historia de Espana examinando su evolucion desde la prehistoria hasta el presente. Estudiaremos las diversas culturas de Espana, prestando una especial atencion al lenguaje, la nacionalidad y las implicaciones polticas.
This course explains the concepts of Nation, Nationalism and State using the Catalan Case and the evolution of such ideas in the West. At the end of this semester students will be able to understand the main characteristics of different ideas of Nationalism and the main evolution of the Catalan identity as well as the tensions in the Basque Country.
This course wants to offers a wide introduction to the History of the Mediterranean Basin since the emergence of civilization to the present day situation studying the most important changes in the political andsocial scenario. At the same time, students will study the development of the most important cultures of the Mediterranean Ancient Greece, Rome, the Renaissance and also the most important Mediterranean religions the polytheist, the henotheist and the monotheist.At the end of the semester students will be able to deal with documents and events of the major civilizations that shaped the Mediterranean as well as the World since the Neolithic Revolution.
This course explores the elements, figures and characters that shaped the Mediterranean Political scenario since the French Revolution (1789) to the Barcelona Process or the Euro-Mediterranean Policy (EMP). The main goals of this course, then, are the understanding of the main processes that built the Mediterranean as it is today giving special relevance to: the French Revolution, the emergence of Modernity and Liberalism in the Mediterranean, the Italian Unification, the European Imperialism in North Africa and the Middle East, the dictatorships in the Mediterranean (Benito Mussolini, Primo de Rivera, Kemal Ataturk, Metaxas), the two World conflicts and the Cold War in the Mediterranean.The last part of the course will cover, region by region, that is, Western Mediterranean, North Africa, Balkans, Middle East, since the collapse of Fascism in Italy and more specially the oil crisis and the formation of a new global economy.
This course provides a wide view of Spanish history and its cultural and artistic evolution from prehistory to the present, culminating in an in-depth examination of the current sociological and political situation. You will learn how Spain changed from being a polarized country in constant distress to becoming a fully modern, westernized country. This course draws on History, Sociology, Anthropology and Politics to foster a true understanding of Spanish culture.
This course aims to explain the evolution of Spain since 1898. The areas of study will be Politics, Society, Family and Economics. At the end of the semester students will be able to understand the major changes that took place in Spain since the Spanish defeat in Cuba in 1898, their effects in internal and external affairs and their interrelations with worldwide history.
After the Olympic Games of 1992, Barcelona became an international tourist destination; but a short visit cannot account for the cultural complexities of the Catalan capital. In order to know any city, to dwell in it, we need to become familiar with its oral history, paintings, architecture, sculpture, and literary texts. More specifically, the more we learn about the literature of Barcelona, the more we shall know about its culture, past and present.This course will explore the city through the eyes of artists and writers. We shall start in the nineteenth century with the rise of the modern metropolis that we know today and finish with the post-Olympic urban reality of the twenty-first century. Students will encounter a wide variety of materials (poetry, novel, theater and essay) and will be expected to study them with a critical eye, applying additional historical, cultural and theoretical readings. Our goal will be to arrive at a greater knowledge of the city and its context, as well as the literature surrounding it.
Emotions are automatic responses that regulate our behaviour. Emotional responses impact decision making, our learning, and our physical and mental health. One of the emotional responses that has received much interest in scientific research is the stress response. Chronic stress is a factor that can increase vulnerability to the development of cardiovascular, brain and immune diseases.On the other hand, self-regulation capacity is a higher cognitive function, which is part of the executive processes, and which allows us to manage and modify our behaviour and our emotions to better adapt to the environment, improve our quality of life and prevent alterations in our mental health. In this sense, understanding the scientific bases and the main self-regulation strategies can increase the development of said ability to improve our health, our well-being, as well as our relationships with our environment. The course will be conducted respecting psychological diversity and aims to be inclusive.The objectives of the course are: Understanding the main components of emotions. Acquiring an expert knowledge of stress and its relationship with health. Knowing how to identify contextual and individual triggers of the stress process. Gaining skills for assessing stress and its impact on wellbeing and health.Knowing how to classify different types of coping strategies and analyse their efficiency indifferent contexts. Developing skills for stress and emotions self-regulation. Having the ability to assess positive versus negative attitudes towards stress and health.
This course adopts an interdisciplinary approach that merges fields such as psychology, education, sociology, politics, history, philosophy, and environmental studies to provide a comprehensive understanding of sports. By integrating these disciplines, students will critically analyze the impact of sports on various aspects of human life, developing transferable professional skills that can be applied across multiple industries. In today’s world, sports transcend physical activity; they represent a powerful social, educational, cultural, and political force. This course allows students to explore how sports intersect with key societal elements, deepening their understanding of its role in shaping modern life. Through this exploration, students will engage with complex issues and controversial debates, enhancing their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. Barcelona and Catalonia, with their rich sports culture and reputation as centers for sports research, provide an ideal backdrop for this course. The region’s long-standing commitment to sports, along with access to leading professionals and academics, offers unique opportunities for students to engage directly with experts. A key objective of this course is to facilitate these connections, enabling students to conduct research that reflects diverse perspectives and specialized knowledge within the realm of sports. Through this course, students will develop the ability to evaluate different perspectives on sports and their role in society, preparing them to be informed, engaged citizens and professionals in an increasingly complex and interconnected world.
Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona
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