UPF Integrated Studies Course Link
To find courses that may work for you, please click on each faculty. You will be able to download a PDF of courses that are usually offered in English or in Spanish. Classes offered during Term 1 are available to Fall students; classes offered during Term 2 are available for Spring students. API students are not eligible to take classes offered during Term 3. Students may also click on the individual “grado” (degrees) to see the full course list. After selecting a course, click “OK” to view the course timetable and language. API students should not select any course that is taught in Catalan. Not all courses will have a language of instruction assigned to them yet and timetables between different faculties may clash greatly, which is why students should have *at least* 8 options pre-approved by their home university.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
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Advanced Level Spanish/Proficiency Level Spanish
The Spanish language courses offered by the UPF Language Training Program (PEI) are organized at five different levels, from Beginner to Proficiency. The Proficiency level prepares students for the Instituto Cervantes DELE (Diploma de Español como Lengua Extranjera). More specialized courses are also available.
All courses, which have 90 contact hours, are taught using the communicative approach to language learning and have been designed according to the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR).
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Language Level Required: Intermediate
Recommended US semester credits: 6
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51601 Barcelona, la ciudad y su historia
Barcelona ha sido etiquetada por Newsweek Magazine como la “coolest city in Europe”, otorgándole a su vez la reputación de una ciudad cosmopolita con una gran proyección internacional. Sin embargo, al igual que sucede con otras ciudades, esta ciudad también presenta sus propias complejidades y contradicciones.
Este curso pretende introducir la ciudad de Barcelona al estudiante mediante el estudio de su pasado y el análisis de su presente. Este estudio interdisciplinar constituido por la historia, la geografía, el arte, la arquitectura y el urbanismo cubre los múltiples ángulos que han conformado esta ciudad. Para ello se usaran imágenes, mapas, textos académicos y literarios, videos, estudios de campo y documentales. Asimismo, también se discutirán los asuntos más relevantes para la gente que en la actualidad conforma esta ciudad.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Imágenes de España en el cine contemporáneo
El curso ofrece una introducción al cine español desde el inicio de la democracia, en los años setenta, hasta la actualidad, con una atención particular hacia aquellos cineastas que destacan tanto por su valor artístico como por su capacidad para reflejar los rasgos más destacables de la realidad y la cultura española contemporánea. Las diferentes sesiones del curso exponen el imaginario plural del cine español más reciente, a través de la obra de autores como Pedro Almodóvar, Víctor Erice, Julio Médem, Alejandro Amenábar o José Luis Guerín.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51610 Comunicación y sociedad en España y Europa
La asignatura analiza los medios de comunicación en España y Europa. El curso está muy vinculado a la actualidad informativa en Espa&ntildde;a y Europa. Los alumnos desarrollarán también un taller de radio (Workshop) en la segunda parte del curso, donde pondrán en práctica los conocimientos teóricos adquiridos.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51621 Los movimientos sociales en el siglo XXI ante la globalización, la crisis y los procesos de democratización
Este curso busca ofrecer análisis de la actuación de los movimientos sociales de diversos lugares del mundo ante fenómenos del siglo XXI como la globalización, la crisis política y económica, y los procesos de democratización. Los movimientos sociales se han configurado como actores sociales y políticos que están incidiendo en la globalización que se está construyendo, en los procesos de democratización en los países árabes y en la profundización democrática en los principales países occidentales.
Se atenderá a las propuestas, las formas de organización y acción, los debates suscitados y los impactos generados. Las principales áreas geográficas de estudio serán América, Europa, el norte de África y Oriente medio. Para el análisis se combinaran las perspectivas que nos ofrecen diferentes disciplinas académicas, destacadamente, la ciencia política, las relaciones internacionales, la sociología, la economía, la historia, la filosofía política, la investigación para la paz, la psicología social, los estudios de género y el periodismo de investigación.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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De Los Estereotipos Culturales al Diálogo Transcultural (From Cultural Stereotypes to Cross-Cultural Dialogue)
This course examines the stereotypes, prejudices and misunderstandings related to Spanish culture from the students' own cultures and applying critical thinking to examine them.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Language Level Required: Advanced
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51631 La protección internacional de los Derechos Humanos
Este curso pretende aproximar a los estudiantes al sistema de protección internacional de los derechos humanos configurado desde la Segunda Guerra Mundial. Se abordarán los mecanismos de protección de los derechos humanos bajo los auspicios de las Naciones Unidas, las instituciones encargadas de su protección a nivel regional o continental, con especial referencia al espacio europeo de protección de derechos y, finalmente, se estudiará España como ejemplo de un ordenamiento constitucional protector de derechos humanos que se interrelaciona y somete a los mecanismos de protección internacional de los derechos humanos. Asimismo, se abordarán algunos temas especialmente controvertidos en el seno de los debates de los derechos humanos. Estos temas serán abordados desde una óptica de derecho comparado, haciéndose hincapié en las similitudes y diferencias sobre la manera de abordar estos temas por parte de los ordenamientos europeos y el norteamericano. Se estudiará el alcance y los límites sobre el derecho al aborto, el reconocimiento de derechos a las personas homosexuales, la problemática de la libertad de expresión y la prohibición de partidos políticos, las consecuencias de la libertad de religión y el laicismo en aquello que hace referencia a la enseñanza de la religión y la presencia de símbolos religiosos en las escuelas y, finalmente, la problemática de los derechos humanos en la lucha contra el terrorismo y el estatus y protección de los derechos económicos, sociales y culturales en un Estado del Bienestar en crisis.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51665 Picasso, Miró, Dalí y el arte de la Modernidad
El objetivo del curso consiste en introducir al estudiante en los principales episodios del arte del siglo XX. Con un tema de fondo: las complejas relaciones entre tradición y vanguardia, clasicismo y modernidad, revolución y reacción artísticas a lo largo de todo un siglo.
Todo ello se realizará a través de la aproximación a cinco artistas catalanes o estrechamente vinculados a Cataluña, pero de indudable relevancia universal. Y, como se desprende del título del mismo, tomando como punto de partida sus obras más significativas, con un método que alejándose del discurso historiográfico o biográfico sitúa en primer plano las obras concretas y parte siempre del lenguaje plástico.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51695 “Sepharad”: History and Heritage of Jewish Spain
The course presents an itinerary around the human, historical and cultural heritage of the Spanish Jews, from the Middle Ages to present day. The first part of the course keeps a historical focus, studying the cultural history of Sepharad, from the origins to the expulsion of the Jews in 1492. The Sephardic Diaspora and the development of the Judeo-Hispanic culture, the return of the Sephardic Jews from the late 19th Century, of European Jews during the inter-war period and how the Shoah relates to Spain will also be covered. The second part of the course will focus on the cultural, architectural and human recovery of the Spanish Jewish heritage. Both the human and patrimonial aspects of such recovery will be analyzed, through the case study of different private and public initiatives aimed to develop tourism or marketing projects revolving around the “myth” of Sepharad. Students will work on individual or group projects to delve into questions such as How is Jewish heritage and history presented in Spain? What are the strategies and outcomes of such projects? What is the prevalent discourse in these cultural initiatives? How does the Spanish society today face its Jewish cultural roots?
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51600 Barcelona, the City and its History
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 façade, 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 in the city of Barcelona today.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Contemporary Spanish Art
The objective of this course is to offer a survey approach to the history of artistic developments in Spain from Goya to Barceló. A background on this specific 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. Landscape art, gender production, the Spanish take on Primitivism and the dynamics between artistic creation and finance capital are some of its more relevant aspects. Classical examples of oil painting will be combined with references to such contemporary media as performance, videoart or installation art.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Lengua y Cultura Catalanas
This course is designed for students who want to know the language and culture of the city in which they come to do their studies from a contrastive approach with Spanish and other Romance languages. This knowledge will undoubtedly allow them to better position the Catalan language and culture in relation to Spanish and European in general.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Language Level Required: Beginner
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51607 Contemporary Spanish Art
The objective of this course is to offer a survey approach to the history of artistic developments in Spain from Goya to Barceló. A background in this specific 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. Landscape art, gender production, the Spanish take on Primitivism and the dynamics of artistic creation and finance capital are some of its more relevant aspects. Classical examples of oil painting will be combined with references to such contemporary media as performance, video art or installation art. Although this course is mainly based on lectures and class debate, three visits to galleries and exhibitions plus a self-guided visit will be also part of the course requirements. These visits will be made during the class time, and are equivalent to a usual in-class session.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Literatura Española Contemporánea (Contemporary Spanish LIterature)
The objective of this course is to offer a survey approach to the history of artistic developments in Spain from Goya to Barceló. Landscape art, gender production, the Spanish take on Primitivism and the dynamics between artistic creation and finance capital are some of its more relevant aspects.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Español: técnicas de expresión oral (Spanish: Oral Expression Techniques)
This course aims to improve students Spanish speaking and listening comprehension through both a practical and instrumental approach.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Language Level Required: Intermediate
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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El laberinto árabe: de las primaveras al estado islámico (The Arab Labyrinth: From Springs to the Islamic State)
Analyze the developments that led to the Arab-Muslim world to
the current situation.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Sociedad y Política en la España Contemporánea (Society and Politics in Contemporary Spain)
This course is designed to give both political science and non-political science majors a robust overview of key features of Spanish Politics. The core of the course is the study of the nature and functioning of the Spanish democratic system established by the late seventies. It pays special attention to the main political processes, institutions, actors, belief systems and political behaviour in the country, including contemporary political violence and international immigration.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Language Level Required: Intermediate
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51713 The EU in the World
This course studies the EU and its external activities through the discussion of key issues on the EU agenda placing a comparative focus on the United States. The first part of the course analyzes the historical evolution of the European polity and the decision-making of its external action. It raises questions about the geographical and political limits of Europe, what are the main drivers of its integration and tackles the issue of Brexit. The second part of the course deals with a variety of challenges of globalization that the EU faces in world politics: trade liberalization, global warming, energy supplies or international migration are some of the issues that will be tackled separately in different sessions. Finally, the last part analyzes the relations between the EU and other states and world regions: from the neighborhood in Eastern Europe and the Middle East to the major global players such as the United States.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51693 International Business and Globalization
How does international business drive economic globalization and affect people across countries? How do international business and current domestic and international political issues affect each other? What challenges and opportunities do firms face operating internationally? The course starts with an overview of economic globalization from a historical, political and sociological perspective, focusing on its most relevant aspects associated with international business: the role of states and international institutions (e.g., World Bank, IMF, EU); socioeconomic development; inequalities within and across countries; international migration; domestic political debates referred to globalization. The second part of the course examines some key management topics associated with globalization: global corporate social responsibility; diverse national political environments; internationalization and alliance strategies; global marketing; global human resources management.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51690 España en el mundo: política exterior y diplomacia pública
¿Es realmente España una potencia media con presencia global, tal y como defienden los diplomáticos y políticos españoles? ¿En qué grado la Unión Europea ha modificado las prioridades de España en su política exterior? ¿La crisis económica y financiera, que tanto ha afectado a los españoles, ha sido también una causa de deterior de la imagen de España en el exterior? El objetivo de este curso es profundizar en el papel de España en el mundo, a partir de los instrumentos de análisis de una de las subdisciplinas de las Relaciones Internacionales, el Análisis de las Políticas Exteriores.
Language of Instruction: Spanish
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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51715 The International Politics of Latin America
How do countries in Latin America relate to each other and with the rest of world? Which institutional structures are used to promote regional cooperation and to participate in an increasingly interconnected world? This course engages students with the debates concerning the main dynamics of the Latin American international relations, with a focus on the last three decades but with attention to the legacies of earlier political, economic and social developments affecting the region. The course is structured around interactive lectures, student presentations, and class and group discussions.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Introduction to Comparative Private Law
The course will introduce students to the world’s main legal systems, their historical origins, and their most important features. The reading assignments and classroom discussions will focus on different methods of legal thinking that have led to distinct, yet equivalent legal institutions for solving problems. The course will analyze how different legal traditions have solved problems related to core issues in private law. Students will be offered an overview of contracts, property, torts and family relations, followed by a comparison of the different legal approaches to them. The course will also look at current trends toward the harmonization of different legal systems, a critical aim in today’s globalized business world, as well as the evolution and interaction of various legal traditions.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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Law, Justice, and Legitimacy
This is a multidisciplinary course that aims to
integrate the perspectives of law, political philosophy, international relations,
and political science.This course focuses on the structure, aims, and content of public law, and the main discussions about its justice and legitimacy.
Language of Instruction: English
Recommended US semester credits: 3
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