Global Sustainable City in Madrid

This course explores the role of art as a form of resistance in contemporary Madrid, examining how artists, collectives, and cultural movements respond to social, political, and economic challenges. Through visual arts, street art, performance, music, and film, students will analyze how creative expression becomes a tool for identity formation and social change in the urban space. The course situates artistic practices within their historical and cultural context while focusing on present-day issues such as touristification, migration, gender, memory, inequality, and the use of public spaces. Students will engage with artworks, exhibitions, neighborhoods, and cultural institutions, combining critical analysis with direct observation. By the end of the course, students will have a deeper understanding of how contemporary art in Madrid reflects and shapes resistance, giving voice to marginalized perspectives and redefining the relationship between culture, power, and the city.

This course explores Madrid as a complex urban ecosystem where natural, built, and human systems interact. Students will study how biodiversity, green spaces, water systems, climate, and human activity coexist within the city and how urban development affects ecological balance and environmental health. Focusing on Madrid’s parks, rivers, streets, and surrounding landscapes, the course examines topics such as urban biodiversity, ecosystem services, climate change impacts, environmental planning, and sustainable city strategies. Students will analyze how cities can support ecological resilience while meeting social and economic needs. By the end of the course, students will gain a deeper understanding of urban ecosystems and the role cities like Madrid play in addressing environmental challenges, developing skills to critically assess and support more sustainable and ecologically integrated urban environments.

This course traces the historical development of LGBTQ+ rights in Spain, examining the social, political, and cultural forces that have shaped struggles for equality and recognition. From periods of repression and invisibility to activism, legal reform, and global leadership in LGBTQ+ rights, students will explore key moments, movements, and figures in Spanish history. The course places special emphasis on the transition to democracy, the role of grassroots activism, and landmark legal changes such as decriminalization, marriage equality, and anti-discrimination policies. It also addresses ongoing challenges, debates, and the diversity of LGBTQ+ experiences across regions and generations. By the end of the course, students will have a nuanced understanding of how LGBTQ+ rights in Spain have evolved over time and how historical memory, activism, and law continue to shape contemporary discussions of identity, citizenship, and human rights.

Expanish is committed to inclusion - we value all students.

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