  In this set of five lectures we present a basic toolbox to discuss the
dynamics of four dimensional supersymmetric quantum field theories. In
particular we overview the program of geometrically engineering the four
dimensional supersymmetric models as compactifications of six dimensional
SCFTs. We discuss how strong coupling phenomena in four dimensions, such as
duality and emergence of symmetry, can be naturally imbedded in the geometric
constructions. The lectures mostly review results which previously appeared in
the literature but also contain some unpublished derivations.
