This sample class examines how, in an age of increasing mobility and mixture, societies formed around ethnic and religious identity seek to dissolve social anxieties catalyzed by complex change through othering and scapegoating. Enforcing the singularity of nation and culture has become - across Asia, Europe, the Americas and Middle East - a repeated solution to intolerable complexity. This class describes the tensions between flux and stability, and how societies diagnose their predicament by fixating on in-between and mobile populations. 
 

Through recent real-world examples, we’ll uncover how seemingly straightforward data can be misleading and how understanding some key concepts of statistical reasoning is crucial for making informed decisions about complex social problems. We will discuss some concrete tips that will help you recognize when data may be deceiving and how to interpret it correctly. The best part - no prior knowledge of statistics is necessary.

Besides the use of military force, states typically employ two broad strategies vis-à-vis their enemies: coercive and non-coercive diplomacy. The former entails state A using threats, sanctions, or limited force with the aim of producing involuntary compliance on the part of state B. The latter entails state A using promises, appeasement, or negotiations with the aim of either producing voluntary compliance on the part of state B or transforming the underlying conflict altogether. This seminar will critically discuss the limitations of coercive diplomacy and reappraise the potential of non-coercive diplomacy.

• Are you an accepted student? You are welcome to join both the morning and the afternoon programme.
• Not (yet) accepted? You are welcome to register for the morning programme. If you have applied for LUC and are accepted in the coming weeks, before April 11, you can change your registration to include the afternoon programme.

We understand that parents and caregives play a key role in the University Exploration process. Parents are welcome to join the experience day in the morning, and are able to join most programme elements. However, parents & caregivers will be offered an alternative information session during the small scale sample class. The sample class will mimic a real university setting as much as possible, and you will therefore join without your parents. 

Please note: The afternoon programme is only for accepted students. If your son/daughter has been accepted to LUC and will attend both programme elements, you are welcome to join the morning. After lunch, we will continue the programme only with accepted students.