UB Classes!

This will be a short post because it's only 12:30pm and I haven't done much yet today but go to class. However, we had a brief tutorial today about enrolling in classes at the University of Barcelona, and I have just completed choosing the classes that I will propose to take. All are taught in Spanish are are upper-division courses. If all works out, the following will be class schedule for the fall semester:

Anthropology: Origins of Human Behavior

This course is a multidisciplinary exploration of the evolution of human behavior studying geological context, the approximation of hominid behavior from an ethnoprimatological perspective, biological evolution and cultural evolution of humanity. Topics covered include human behavior, genetic inheritance, and the transmission of information through cultural mechanisms; homogeneity and heterogeneity, similarities and differences between past and present human society; social organization and human ontology; perception of the world, religions, values and morals. 

Anthropology: Anthropology of Genocide

This course examines the contribution of specific normative symbolic systems in the configuration of the politics of genocide and how the very idea of genocide is arranged in particular cultural concepts. The primary emphasis of the course is the examination of the role played by culture, together with other factors, in the configuration of genocide. Topics examined include definitions of genocide and terminological clarifications; state, culture, and genocide; culture as symbolic normative structure in genocide; extermination of indigenous peoples; case studies including the Armenian genocide, the Holocaust, and Rwanda; elements for comparison, such as political power and bureaucracy, war and genocide, the role of ideologies shaped by science and culture, processes of exclusion and dehumanization of victims, planning and execution of genocide, technology and genocide; the politics of recognizing and denying genocide; pain and the politics of memory, the situations of survivors; and literature and genocide. Assessment is based on literary and film commentaries and a final exam. 

Legal Studies: International Protection of Human Rights

This course provides a study on international human rights law. Students are familiarized with international organizations and the mechanisms involved in the protection of human rights, and in particular those with whom an individual can approach for legal action and recourse. By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to formulate legal arguments for the defence of human rights, using their knowledge of texts relating to human rights as well as international legal cases brought to human rights courts. 

Art History: Spanish Contemporary Art

This course covers the Baroque period of the 17th century and the Rennaissance through the 20th century. Students examine specific art and architectural masterpieces and are introduced to the social, political, and historical events indirectly responsible for specific artistic manifestations and movements. Topics discussed in class include cubism, surrealism, and informalism, and the works of Caravaggio, Rembrandt, Velazquez, Goya, Gaudí, Picasso, and Dali. Assessment is based on a midterm exam and a final exam.

The University of California-Illinois program offers classes through the Study Center, which still uses UB professors, but are more closely structured to the UC, UI courses in the U.S.. We are recommended to take at least one class a semester from this program, so my Art History class will be taught through the Study Center. Also I will be taking another Catalan course first semester, so I can take a few of my classes next semester in the language. I really hope these courses are approved by my program, because I think it could be a very diverse and stimulating semester. 

On an unrelated note, the weather here has really shifted. It's been much cooler the past few days, and overcast. Today it even sprinkled rain on my while I walked home from the metro. I have decided today is a good indoors day, and I am about to recruit some of my floor-mates to join me on a quest to find a welcoming cafe with comfy chairs, and churros con chocolate. Ciao!