This intensive introduction to key concepts in architecture consists of architectural history and theory, as well as a “virtual studio” in which students learn through independent design. Participants are familiarized with the fundamental vocabulary employed to describe architectural ideas. The course covers how to analyze a building visually and formally, and introduces a spectrum of significant historical and recent designs while instilling an understanding of how the built environment is generated and transformed. Through discussions of challenging readings that encompass the political, social, technological, and economic aspects of the field, students are introduced to selected architectural themes. Class discussions are supplemented with digital architectural tours. The "virtual studio", conducted online as a creative workshop, introduces participants to the conceptual skills employed by architectural designers. Instructors provide students with training in rudimentary technical drawing and introduce them to the process of conceptualizing and developing architectural ideas. The course includes asynchronous work, which students are expected to complete between class sessions.
Climate change is one of the world’s most critical challenges, and though quite prominent in today’s news it remains a complex and multifaceted issue. What is the current understanding of the anthropogenic impacts on global climate, ecosystems, and biodiversity? How are different economic sectors, geographic regions, and countries contributing to this? How are these impacts predicted to affect future global economic growth prospects, agricultural productivity, poverty, and society at large? Who bears the potential costs and benefits? What can be done?
Using climate change as a unifying focus, this course examines the role of public policy in managing human impacts on the environment. Students are introduced to the theories and concepts of environmental economics, and using these they explore, discuss, and analyze current national and global environmental challenges. They learn the public policy approaches being used to address these challenges, and how these policies influence and interact with the role of the private sector and international frameworks such as the Paris Agreement.
Students gain an understanding of the complex nature of global environmental change and the importance of human-based activities in driving it. Case studies lead to the introduction of sector-based issues (e.g. promoting renewable energy and organic agriculture), innovative policy approaches (e.g. environmental trading schemes, mitigation banking, carbon taxes), and key terms used by the global conservation community to frame and promote discussion of these issues (e.g. ecosystem services, natural capital, water-energy-food nexus). The course includes asynchronous work, which students are expected to complete between class sessions.
This is a course designed for students interested in law, government, politics, and philosophy. It examines a wide range of contemporary issues subject to constitutional interpretation, introducing students to the constitution, the fundamental concepts of constitutional law, the role of the courts, and the legal limitations on governmental policy making.
Students discuss and analyze topics including separation of powers, federalism, freedom of speech, religious freedoms, the death penalty, criminal procedure, equal protection and civil rights. They are exposed to current constitutional challenges and given the opportunity to explore the relationship between law and society.
Students develop skills that enable them to read and interpret Supreme Court decisions, which serve as the basis for class discussion. Debates and policy memos call on students to develop persuasive arguments in defense of their positions, thereby sharpening reasoning and analytical skills.
In this course, participants use their personal cameras (iPhones, iPads, or DSLR’s) to create strong, visually-driven short films and video exercises with an emphasis on the foundations of narrative storytelling. They learn a wide range of elementary film production techniques and build a technical and aesthetic foundation structured around film grammar, story development, script writing, sound, and editing.
For the final film, students work sequentially through the stages of production: initial concept, synopsis, treatment, script, storyboards, and final shooting and editing. During pre-production they learn how to plan for and realize a short film from concept to shooting script. During production, they coordinate and shoot their script. In post-production, they edit and polish their projects collaboratively, sharing feedback on scripts and cuts. The instructor provides guidance throughout the process, emphasizing the students’ responsibility for carrying the project from inception to completion.
Classes include both lectures and workshops, in which students thoughtfully critique and learn from each other’s work. Course instructors provide, in addition to guidance on film production, practical information regarding the film industry, film schools, and career paths. The course includes asynchronous work, which students are expected to complete between class sessions.
The completed films can potentially be used for submission to short film festivals and as portfolio pieces for film or art school applications.
Why are some political advertisements more effective than others? Are race-based affirmative action admissions policies important tools for achieving diversity under the constitution or a type of discrimination that a commitment to equality under the law should prohibit? How is public opinion measured, and to what extent should policy makers consider public opinion when making decisions? Why does the United States use the Electoral College system and should it be changed? What do members of Congress really do, how is the legislative process supposed to work and why is it so dysfunctional so often? What powers does (and should) a President of the United States have? How does someone get to be a Justice on the Supreme Court of the United States, how does the Court decide cases, and what role should courts play in our society? What exactly is gerrymandering, how does it work, and how does it shape American politics and policy? What is lobbying? How do lobbyists work and is what they do unethical?
If you have ever thought about or had a passionate opinion about any of these questions, wished you had a better understanding of the issues and of the institutions surrounding them, or are simply curious to learn more about the intricacies of government and policy-making, this course is for you.
We approach these topics through a combination of lectures, case studies, and class discussions. Lectures will be supplemented by a series of guest speakers, featuring professionals from the worlds of government, politics and public policy who will provide students with an insider’s view of how government really works.
Students will have the ability to engage meaningfully with the course material, which will include hands-on research, active participation with guest speakers, and the opportunity to develop leadership skills for a future in government and politics.
This course is ideal for students interested in pursuing a career or major in government or political science.
What are the drivers of GDP and what differentiates growth rates between countries? What is the role of the market in shaping the economy and can the government address market failure to benefit more citizens? What are the unintended consequences of poorly designed government policies? How do current policies on trade and foreign investment impact globalization and economic development? How will economic sanctions, aid, and cyber be used as a policy tool? What are the geopolitics and geoeconomics of oil and is U.S. energy independence achievable or even desirable? Does economic development necessarily entail a negative impact on the natural environment? How will COVID-19 shape world geopolitics and geoeconomics? This course provides students with an understanding of current macroeconomic debates and the reasoning behind significant global policy decisions. We focus on the contentious nature of each of the topics covered so as to ensure a comprehensive understanding of each issue. Participants are introduced to concepts such as growth theory, monetary and fiscal policy, trade policy, globalization, balance of payments, economic statecraft, development, international aid and sovereign debt, and climate change. Additionally, we will discuss the geopolitical and economic effects of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic. Case studies, readings, in-class discussions, debates, and student presentations provide an interactive and analytical but non-technical overview on macroeconomic concepts. The course includes asynchronous work, which students are expected to complete between class sessions.
This course is designed to teach students the ins-and-outs of novel writing, from conception to outlining to the writing itself. Whether interests lie in literary fiction, young adult, fantasy, or any other genre, we focus on how to structure and plot a successful novel. We also touch on establishing conflict, world-building, character work, pacing, and how to create an effective scene.
Course participants share their writing in a workshop setting and receive in-depth feedback from both their peers and the instructor. The course includes asynchronous work, which students are expected to complete between class sessions. Not only does this course impart a greater understanding of what it means to craft a long-form work of fiction, it will also help students become stronger and more confident in their overall writing skills.
Courses in creative writing are offered in conjunction with the Writing Program at Columbia University’s School of the Arts. Overseen by Chair of Creative Writing Lis Harris, Professor Alan Ziegler, and Director of Creative Writing for Pre-College Programs Christina Rumpf, the creative writing courses are designed to challenge and engage students interested in literary creation, providing them with a substantial foundation for further exploration of their creative work.
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The central Lenape idea of Lankuntuwakan comprises relationship, kinship, peace and a deeper understanding of well-being: We are made of the Earth, the sun, and each other; we exist through our composition of these parts. These aspects of ourselves are essential to our existence, both as individuals and organized societies, and our relation to them determines our well-being. Lankuntuwakan is the ancient Lenape way of life which still informs culture and actions for wellbeing. Two contemporary streams of thinking and actions, that of living Land acknowledgment (as restorative practice and restorative justice) and (re)generative cultures are largely aligned with Lankuntuwakan. In our time of globalization, climate change, indigenous resurgence and concentration camps, Lankuntuwakan is all the more relevant as a means to inform solutions. The goal for the course is for students to emerge as connected, informed, courageous, more compassionate individuals with unique capabilities realized to better support both Indigenous and nonindigenous peoples and Earth. The following themes are largely the result our work with Lenape Center. The articles and books assigned are complimentary to the themes and serve to emphasize primary source knowing. Each theme will be explained with historical context and contemporary examples. These themes are not mutually exclusive, but on the contrary, are interwoven and interconnected.