Fall Semester Elective 2027
12 - 15 credits
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Jump toThe birth of cinema transformed the way we understand artistic creation. Film is a mechanically reproduced artwork without the aura of uniqueness that characterizes classical pieces (Benjamin, 1935). It emerges as a mechanical extension of the human body, an artificial eye. Film production is also automated: it is a paradigm of creative industry (Howkins, 2001). In many ways, cinema appears at the intersection of the joint creative effort of human talent, industry, science & technology. This course will study various aspects of creativity and authorship in examples from Spanish cinematography. Early theoretical and practical approaches to filmic creation, the development of new artistic professions and creative labor organization in the film industry will be studied through Spanish silent cinema and the growth of CIFESA studios (1932-1961).There will be an introduction to the debates over the status of films leading creators, looking at producers, directors, and writers from this period. The political dimension will be presented through the creative ways in which filmmakers eluded Francos censorship. Since the 1960s and the rise of modern cinema, the highly influential French auteur theory favors the director as a films main creator. The course will introduce Spanish auteurs from the modern period (Camus, Picazo) and present critiques of the directors importance, implicit in works of postmodern filmmakers (Almodovar, Medem). The challenges faced by contemporary auteurs (Lacuesta, Sorogoyen) at the side of recent ideas sharply opposed to the auteur theory that consider films as a result of collective creation (Sellors, 2007) or the audience as a creative force (Mayne, 2002). The work of Spanish experimental filmmaking platforms like Authorless Cinema Collective, as well as the creative design of contemporary Spanish cinematographys cultural policies and initiatives that foster female creativity will be considered. This course will also have a creative component: students will make short films as group projects.
This course provides a dynamic, multi-disciplinary introduction to Contemporary Art in Spain. A background on this specified field is not required. For this reason not only the main artistic events will be covered, but also some political, historical and cultural issues that might be relevant. Although this course is manly based on lectures and class debate, four visits to art centers and exhibitions will be also part of the course requirements. These visits will be made during class time and are equivalent to a usual in-class lecture. We will discuss recent classics as well as emerging artists, and we will cover a wide range of artistic practices, from photography to afterpop music, including installation art, performance art and comic art. Although the course offers several relevant clues to understand the historical context and particular conditions in Spain, it is also intended as a more general insight into contemporary artistic strategies and topics.
Although globalization and sustainability have become familiar terms, they are at cross purposes. The way globalization has been conducted with an emphasis on the economic sphere, international trade and cross-border investment flows, has created a series of crises that threaten the ethical values and beliefs of a sustainable society. The primary goal of a business is usually seen as making a profit, however, the path towards achieving this goal can, in many instances, create dilemmas regarding justice, equity and honesty.
European football (soccer) has become a major cultural vehicle in the global world, both in terms of economical impact and social influence. This course focuses on how this sport shapes the social, economical and cultural realms, and tries to interpret the different links between the game itself and the dimensions surrounding it: media coverage, aesthetic value, political targeting, public and corporate policies… In that context, FC Barcelona remains a unique case, studied in business schools as an example of global market branding, while passionately lived by millions of fans all over the world. Moreover, Barcelona city offers a privileged standpoint to better understand football as a growing issue within contemporary culture.
This course builds on the idea that ethical-religious, philosophical, and scientific imagination is vitally important in the development of human societies. It focuses on key religious, ethical-political, and scientific innovative ideas that have revolutionized and shaped society from antiquity to modern times. The course deals not only with understanding the context of the emergence of these ideas, but also their impact on the contemporary world and mentality. It will begin with the Axial Age (Karl Jaspers), characterized by a series of ethical-religious, scientific and philosophical innovations from China to Ancient Greece, and move chronologically to the Renaissance, Enlightenment and the current digital and robot revolution.
The course is an approach to the reality of the Arab world, often distorted by topics and prejudices. The approach is carried out in three directions: politics, new social actors and the Arab world relationship with the western world. Special emphasis is placed on the role played by young people, on the situation of women and on the permanent tension between tradition and modernity, the first challenge for the Arab community because it will be decisive in the immediate future, characterized by the development of new technologies and the global economy. Finally, the objective is to establish what image the Arab world projects towards the outside and what perception one has the Arab world in the West. Faced with the belief that the Arab world is a monolithic and homogeneous space, the reality of a highly diversified cultural area prevails in which, at the same time, three constants weigh heavily: language, religion and political blockade. In other words, the tension between tradition and modernity is a reality in a very plural social settings. Such variety of social realities is barely perceived by the western world in general and Europe in particular. Something that is still quite a contradictory element with history, with the legacy of Arab culture in Spain and Portugal -in language, architecture, agriculture, folklore, etc.- and with a permanent economic relationship with the European countries, especially since the colonial period until today
Once labeled by Newsweek magazine as the “coolest city in Europe” Barcelona enjoys the reputation of a cosmopolitan city with a great international projection. Like all places, however, it is not without its complexities and contradictions. Behind a glossy and tourist-friendly facade, the city has a complex history.This course introduces the student to the city of Barcelona by studying its past and analyzing its present. This interdisciplinary course covers subject in history, geography, art, architecture, and urban planning. Materials include images, maps, academic and literary texts, videos, field studies, and documentaries. We will also discuss issues relevant to people living within the city of Barcelona today.
The course proposes an itinerary through he rich cultural heritage of Hispanic Jews to present day along with interpretative elements to understand the recovery of that heritage and to manage it by analyzing the history of the Jewish people in the Hispanic lands and the interrelations, connections and influences between the Hispanic societies and Judaism, from the Middle Ages to present day. This is a course of history with a distinct interdisciplinary approach. A general contextual overview and an itinerary through the history of the Jews in Spain frame the discussions to follow.The aim is to delve around a series of selected themes to better understand the boundaries between Spanish Jews and Spanish gentiles from multiple perspectives and across time. Based on the in-class commentary and analysis of primary sources, film debates and case studies, specific topics will be examined: the perception of the self and the perception of the other; the shaping of a Jewish identity in the Hispanic lands versus the creation of the Sephardic cultural construct; the representations of Jews and Judaism; the role played by archetypes in the views on Judaism and Spanish anti-Semitism; and in Modern and contemporary times, the reconfiguration of Jewish identity from Modern Crypto-Judaism to the rising phenomenon of the Sephardic Benei Anusim.
The course aims to give the students a general overview of the core legal institutions, while introducing the students to the main legal problems attached to the new technologies. The reading assignments and the classroom discussions will illustrate how technology changes traditional legal concepts and the way in which the legal rules are applied. A basic introduction to contracts, property, torts from a comparative perspective will be followed by an explanation of the relevant technologies and their implications in the legal understanding of the core legal topics.
We live in a new era characterized by globalization and the digital revolution, and by the emergence of new global challenges and threats that require global, collective and effective solutions. These global challenges and threats include climate emergency, global health, nuclear security, global inequality, migratory movements, tax evasion, global terrorism, digital security and privacy, etc. All these challenges are global, complex, and interrelated. They need a response that is also global, intelligent and effective.This course will study how global institutions, as well as nation states, cities and other actors, can face global challenges like those mentioned above. This is why this course will focus on the new ways in which collective intelligence, crowdsourcing methods and public involvement in decision making in general can enhance the quality of global responses to these challenges. Students will be exposed to some successful practical examples of collective intelligence enhanced through new technologies, like the idea of Crowdlaw, which might combine data analysis, machine learning, AI, Blockchain and even virtual reality with the aim of improving public decision making.The course will also focus on the conditions under which international organizations, states and cities can make or contribute to making international legal decisions which might provide solutions to these problems in a way that preserves democratic legitimacy and justice. For that purpose, the course will combine the study of global governance, and new technologies with political philosophy, legal philosophy, international law and international relations.
How globalization redefines wealth and opportunities around the world? Is globalization a force for good or does it create opportunities only for a small minority? Inequalities have increased and cooperation has proved not to be very effective. Indeed, after having spent in the last five decades more than 2,3 trillion dollars, the path towards sustainable human development seems to be still full of obstacles and constraints. The course aims at introducing students to the most salient aspects of the debate around globalization, development and international cooperation. Classical views on development will be contrasted with more contemporary approaches such as: the Agenda 2030 framework, no-one living behind principle, whole-of-society-approach, multilevel governance and multi-stakeholder participation. The course combines analytical tools and categories stemming from political science, international relations, economic geography, European Integration studies, public policies and development economics. By applying interactive and participatory teaching methodologies, the course will stimulate students active involvement and participation all across the sessions.
This course aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated view of the European market. The course is structured into two sections: the first offers a global view of Europe (historical background, evolution of the E.U., its institutional structure, and its domestic and foreign policies). The second analyzes the European business environment, paying special attention to differences in managerial and consumer behavior in order to understand and identify economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of the E.U. that might represent opportunities for business development in the region.
Concepts and tools of intercultural communication and cross cultural management that make sense of a globalizing word: Multiculturalism and inter-culturalism, diversity and super-diversity in the business environment. Culture convergence and cross-cultural connections.
This course aims to provide a comprehensive and integrated view of the European market. The course is structured into two sections:
The first offers a global view of Europe (historical background, evolution of the E.U., its institutional structure, and its domestic and foreign policies).
The second analyzes the European business environment, paying special attention to differences in managerial and consumer behavior in order to understand and identify economic, political, social, and cultural dimensions of the E.U. that might represent opportunities for business development in the region.
Financial risks: currency risk exposure, interest rate risk, price volatility risk, among others. Hedging financial risk with varios risk management concepts, tools and techniques held by the derivative products: Futures, Forwards, Options and Swaps.Discussion on the design and implementation of risk management practices. Realize and understand various state-of-the art risk management theories and practices (such as loss control, loss financing, and internal risk reduction mechanisms) as well as their advancement in the future.
This course aims to provide students with a good understanding of the international financial markets and their impact on financial decisions and management at international firms. The course covers a range of topics related to the international monetary system, the foreign exchange and derivatives markets, the financing of international firms, foreign investment operations, and foreign exchange risk management.
Recommended prerequisite: Business Organization
Globalization has created new opportunities for businesses worldwide. This course is designed to prepare students to better analyze and understand the challenges and chances that companies face when expanding their activities internationally. Special attention will be placed upon the different tools and analytical skills available to and required for various specialized managerial roles when businesses are competing internationally.
Neuro-marketing. Social Responsibility in Marketing. Last trends in giving services through innovation.To be able to develop the marketing-mix strategy, define the brand extension as well as the communication strategies and distribution alternatives, striving to look towards the future and provide insights for a successful relationship with customers and clients.
The strategic role of branding. Designing an effective brand strategy. Developing a brand value proposition that engages customers. Brand architecture and dynamics (brand porfolios, brand repositioning brand extensions and cobranding). Building lifestyle and premium brands. Brand ethics and social responsibility.Building enduring brands in competitive markets and creation of market value. Developing managerial perspective regarding strategic brand management in a global framework
Students take a placement test upon arrival to determine their Spanish language level.
UPF offers the following levels of Spanish language:
- Inicial – Beginning Spanish
- Preintermedio
- Intermedio
- Avanzado
- Superior
- Espanol Para Hispanohablantes
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
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