Course Name: Intercultural Communication in a Globalized World

Credits: 3 ECTS

Lecturer: Deniz Atalayer

Course Description:

This course bring together culture and neuroscience -the most interesting and researched subject of today`s scientific era. The main goal in these lectures is help students gain an understanding of the formation of culture from a molecular perspective of behavior to the global aspects of social cognition. Students will learn how the brain operates to govern human cognition and behavior and redefine what they traditionally call "psychology" and from there will build up an insight on intercultural communication.

Various interesting subjects will be utilized as examples for connecting the brain -the micro level, to the culture -the macro level. These examples include but not limited to how brain processes affect human perception, how marketing strategies influence human decision making and psychology and how these will shape national preferences, and how national preferences become the cultural norms and how they then will be disseminated and conveyed across cultures in today`s world.  The lectures will touch base with basic concepts of social psychology in terms of individualism and collectivism in societies, as well as basic human psychology, cognition and neuroscience concepts. 

Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, the students will be able to

- learn how brain operates

- how the brain learns and `unlearns`

- understand how the behavior is produced

- how communication and culture are formed/shaped

- tools of intercultural communication 

Who can participate: The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in social sciences, biological sciences, humanities, arts, communication, political sciences, philology, journalism, business, marketing. 

Prerequisites:  The students have already studied elementary elements of culture, psychology, communication, and cross-cultural interaction, sociology, philosophy

Participation Limit: 20 students

Course Name: Project Management

Credits: 3 ECTS

Lecturer: Semih Yön, Assistant Professor Ph.D. (Istanbul Technical University)

Course Description:

This course guides students through fundamental project management concepts and behavioral skills needed to successfully launch and lead benefits from projects. Successful project managers manage their resources, schedules, risks, and scope to produce a desired outcome. In this course, students explore project management with a practical, hands-on approach through case studies and class exercises. Special attention is given to critical success factors required to overcome resistance to change.

This course intends to make the students familiar with the necessary information about the concepts of management as well as leadership. It will be reviewed causes of project failure and how to mitigate risks through proper planning in the early phases of a new initiative. Also students will concentrate on the issue of runnig a business enterprise.

Many Project management tools will be covered like Gantt Chart and network diagrams of CPM and PERT including competitive calculations. Uncertain activity durations affect the Project completion times and Project managers should get ready for production and service management systems to meet the deadlines by applying these tools.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, the students will be able to;

• Explain business and management concepts and definitions.
• Use project management tools, techniques, and skills
• Assign critical resources for effective project implementation
• Employ strategies to address the success factors
• Understand the implications, challenges, and opportunities of organizational dynamics in project management
• Understand project management design, development, and deployment
• Identify and use key performance metrics for project success
• Understand how to manage project cost, quality, and delivery
• Engage and lead effective project management teams in the organization

Who can participate: The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in social sciences, mathematical sciences, all engineering fields, humanities, arts, communication, political sciences, business and marketing. This course focuses on project management methodology that will allow you to initiate and manage projects efficiently and effectively. You will learn key project management skills and strategies, and you will have the opportunity to apply this knowledge through assignments.

Prerequisites:  The students should have at least intermediate level of English.

Course Materials: -

• Notes provided by the instructor,
• Fundamentals of Project Management, James P. Lewis, 2007, Third Edition

Participation Limit: 20 students

Weekly plan

Course Name: Industry 4.0

Credits: 3 ECTS

Lecturer: Cem Savas Aydin, Assistant Professor Ph.D.

Course Description:

This course is designed to offer learners an introduction to Industry 4.0, its applications in the business world. Learners will gain deep insights into how smartness is being harnessed from data and appreciate what needs to be done in order to overcome some of the challenges.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, the students will be able to;

• Understand the drivers and enablers of Industry 4.0
• Appreciate the smartness in Smart Factories, Smart cities, smart products and smart services
• Able to outline the various systems used in a manufacturing plant and their role in an

Industry 4.0 world

Appreciate the power of Cloud Computing in a networked economy

Understand the opportunities, challenges brought about by Industry 4.0 and how

organisations and individuals should prepare to reap the benefits

Who can participate: The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in industrial, mechanical, electrical, mechatronics, computer and software engineering.

Prerequisites: No prior technical background is required.  

Course Materials: -

Participation Limit: 20 students

Weekly plan

Course Name: Genetics: Working with DNA

Credits: 3 ECTS

Lecturer: Arta Fejzullahu (Istanbul Aydin University)

Course Description:

The course aims to give a general understanding of basic principles of medical genetics and teach students the current applications operated in molecular genetics research field. During the course the concept of medical genetics and its connections with human diseases will be covered systematically from the central dogma "DNA-RNA-PROTEIN", and then generalizing with the recent applications used in the diagnosis of genetic diseases. The course is designed in two parts which will provide students the opportunity to learn not only the theoretical part of the course but also apply the practical part in our laboratories by using DNA Isolation Procedures, Polymerase Chain Reaction (PCR), RFLP, Agarose Gel Electrophoresis, Sequencing and Bioinformatics Tools.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, the students will be able to;

• Understand Basic Concepts of Medical Genetics
• Understand Life Sciences, Cell Function and Hereditary Material Characteristics
• Know Human Chromosome and Gene Properties and Abnormalities
• Learn Specific Techniques Used in the Diagnosis of Genetics Diseases

Who can participate: Medical School, Genetic Engineering and Science & Arts Faculty undergraduate and graduate students.

Prerequisites:  Basic Genetics and Computer Skills

Course Materials: Lecture Notes, Lab Files and Research Articles.

Participation Limit: 10 students

Special Event: Laboratory Applications

Course Name: Exploration of the Turkish Art via Museums

Credits: 3 ECTS

Lecturer: Mehmet Resat Basar, Professor (Istanbul Aydın University), Mesut Batuhan Cankir, Lecturer (Istanbul Aydın University)

Course Description:

Istanbul, one of the oldest cities in the world, the city which located on two continents, the biggest city of Turkey. Also the new center of modern and contemporary art with its historical and cultural roots. In this beautiful city, we would like to show Anatolian Civilizations and Arts, Traditional and Contemporary Turkish Arts by visiting museums in an interactive manner.  Within the two weeks, students will learn quite a few information about Anatolian and Turkish art by presentations in classrooms then they will prove this information in museums experimentally. The Course contain Hittite, Phrygian, Lydian arts, traditional arts; calligraphy, miniature, tiles, the best works of contemporary Turkish artists and many more.  The museums that will be visited are Istanbul Archeological Museums, Topkapı Museum, Sakıp Sabancı Museum, Pera Museum, Proje 4L Museum and Istanbul Modern Museum.

Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, the students will be able to;

• Identify Anatolian and Traditional and Contemporary Turkish art
• See and discover Istanbul's museums
• Understand differences between art disciplines also movements

Who can participate: The course is open to all undergraduate and graduate students.

Prerequisites:  -

Course Materials:  -

Participation Limit: 20  students

Weekly plan

Course Name: The Taste of Istanbul and Anatolian Food Culture

Instructors: Tolgahan Tabak

A big part of traveling and experiencing a new culture is exploring the local cuisine. In the case of Turkey, there is a rich variety of tastes and influences. Turkish cuisine is largely the heritage of Ottoman cuisine, which can be described as a fusion and refinement of Central Asian, Middle Eastern and Balkan cuisines. Turkish cuisine has in turn influenced other cuisines in the region and beyond.

Course Description: This course provides an introduction to the rich Turkish Culinary Culture by way of theoretical information, practical lessons in the state-of-the art kitchens of Istanbul Aydin University's Gastronomy Department and tasting trips in Istanbul.

Course Objectives/ Learning Outcomes: Upon succesful completion of this course, students will be able to identify different staples of Turkish food culture with its history and cultural influences; know the ingredients, preparation techniques, and serving methods of various food groups and be able to cook some popular Turkish dishes.

Requirements/ Prerequisites: Interest in Gastronomy and Culinary Arts.

Who Can Participate: Anyone who wants to know Turkish Cuisine better

Participation Limit: 20 students

Special Event: Four different types of tasting trips

Additional Cost: Students must pay for their food on the tasting trips. (Around 80 USD)

Weekly plan

Course Name: Civic Engagement and Socail Entrepernership

Instructors: Hiba Iqbal Zakai, Lahore University of Managment Sciences (LUMS)

This course provides students with a foundation for understanding the role of public scholarship, community engagement, and social action. In this course, students will examine key theories and research that underlie contemporary thinking about community engagement through service learning, as an introduction to civic and community engagement. Students will examine and critique strategies for social and environmental change. Students will become familiar with the expectations and responsibilities for successful service learning through the application of social entrepreneurship and formulating a tools for measuring the impact. The course includes lectures, discussions, a group presentation, placement at a community service site, readings, and participation in social change service-learning project(s).

Learning Outcomes: Upon successfully completing the course, the students will be able to;

·         Understand the theory and history of civic engagement and service learning in the context of developing nations, and develop critical perspectives on the role of service through social entrepreneurship.

·         Understand how individuals and groups create and sustain change.

·         Deepen your understanding of social and environmental problems and of the role of multiple stakeholders in addressing these problems.

·         Develop skills for success working in community settings.

·         Learn to work effectively as members of a diverse team.

·         Develop your own interests and commitment to community engagement and service.

Who can participate: The course is open to undergraduate and graduate students in social sciences, humanities, arts, communication, political sciences, philology, journalism, business and marketing.

Prerequisites:   Desire to enhance personal and professional leadership skills; service-orientated; and Passion for community service, social justice, and the desire to bring positive change in the society.

Course Materials: Poster / chart papers and markers

Participation Limit: 20 students

Weekly plan