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Find individual courses here or browse the curricula of our graduate and executive programmes.
For the PhD programmes, please find more information here.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Energy economics

Course-ID: GRAD-E1378
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Lion Hirth

Abstract

Energy economics is an introduction to the technology and economics of energy systems, power markets, and electricity networks. The economics of wind and solar energy, the cornerstones of low-carbon energy systems, lie at the heart of this course.

The global energy system is undergoing the deepest transformation of its history, driven by decarbonisation, decentralisation and digitalisation: New technologies from solar photovoltaics to batteries and the Internet of things reshape how electricity is produced, transported, traded and consumed. Wind and solar energy are at the center of change. Understanding this revolution requires understanding the deep links between electricity systems and technologies, economics and markets, and regulation and policy. For the future of the global energy system, and hence the future of our climate system, understanding the technology and economics of wind and solar energy is maybe the single most crucial piece of knowledge.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Espionage and diplomacy: Strategic intelligence as a factor in IR

Course-ID: E1253
Instructors: Dr. Gil Murciano

Abstract

Intelligence and espionage affairs are often treated as intriguing yet anecdotal parts of diplomatic history. Nevertheless, a closer look at key junctures of international relations in the last two centuries exposes the central role strategic intelligence plays in international politics. The fate of nations has often been decided on the basis of their ability to gather, understand and act upon information about the international system that surrounds them. In addition, the world of strategic intelligence provides a distinctive setting for international interaction. From the joint efforts to decipher the enigma codes during the Second World War, the espionage competitions of the Cold War, to the current contexts of the “war on terror” and cyber-espionage, intelligence affairs have been both a key arena for international conflict as well as a platform for international co-operation. In the last two decades, the political importance of discussing intelligence’s role in foreign policy is underscored by the moral and practical dilemmas the practice of global espionage presents to political leaders in democratic societies. Dilemmas about the methods and scope of intelligence gathering often reflect on the delicate balance between civil liberties and national security, as well as demonstrate the strategic interface between technological capabilities and global power.

The course examines the role of strategic intelligence as a distinct component in the process of foreign policymaking by focusing on two distinct dimensions. First, it focuses on intelligence as a source of information shaping the national leadership’s policy choices. We will explore the manner in which intelligence information and assessments influence the strategic decision-making process of leaders and nations. From Pearl-Harbor, the Berlin 1961 Crisis and to the 9/11 attacks, we will analyse the interface between the intelligence analyst and the political leader and its effect on strategic choices nations make in times of conflict and peace. Second, the course investigates the political usage of intelligence as an instrument of influence in international relations. We will investigate how nations utilise covert information and intelligence capacities as active means to promote their foreign policy goals. We will examine the practices of disinformation and deception operations and allocate specific emphasis to the key developments in the field of Cyber Warfare.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

The EU in the world

Course-ID: E1160
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Markus Jachtenfuchs

Abstract

This course analyses the European Union’s role in global politics—a topic widely discussed in Brussels, across the EU’s member states, among Europe’s citizens and within NGOs. Why does the Union not respond more quickly, more coherently and more efffectively across the world’s multiple crises? This will be our key question in class where we explore the EU’s external relations, ranging from near-exclusive powers in trade to limited competences in security.

The course first introduces the conceptual and normative debate about Europe's global role; discusses the origins of the EU as a global actor; and familiarises students with the institutions, instruments, and decision making of EU foreign policy. We then analyse key issues of external governance, including trade, aid and development, crisis management and conflict resolution, as well as the external dimensions of internal policies such as justice and home affairs or digital markets. The course concludes by looking at EU enlargement, the EU's policies towards its neighbours, and the EU’s wider global role. The teaching is designed to equip students with the empirical knowledge, theoretical understanding, and analytical skills necessary to explain and critically assess the EU’s actorness, effectiveness and impact across the range of its external policies.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Global environmental politics

Course-ID: E1369
Instructors: Harry Bauer

Abstract

In this course, students will be introduced to key concepts and issues in the study of global environmental politics (GEP), with a particular focus on the political economy of environmental protection. The course will begin by examining various perspectives on why global environmental problems arise and how they can be addressed under different conditions. We will then explore the processes of international environmental governance, including problem identification, policy formulation, multilateral environmental regime design and negotiation and the implementation and enforcement of international environmental law and policy. To enhance understanding of these processes, we will use case studies drawn from the politics of climate change, ozone depletion, air pollution, whaling, hazardous wastes, mercury, deforestation and biodiversity.

The course will then turn to recent issues and debates in global environmental politics, examining examples of non-state global environmental governance, assessing the link between international trade and environmental degradation, exploring the relationship between economic development and environmental quality and examining the relationship between environmental change, violent conflict and human security. Students will develop a nuanced understanding of the complexities involved in environmental protection, including the interplay between politics, power and environmental issues at both the global and local levels.
Throughout the course, we will ask critical questions, such as: What factors contribute to successful treaty negotiations among countries? What types of rules are most effective? What role do non-state actors play in global environmental governance? How can we evaluate the effectiveness of environmental agreements? What obstacles hinder effective environmental agreements?

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Governance in areas of limited statehood

Course-ID: E1118
Instructors: Dr. Gregor Walter-Drop

Abstract

Most states are more or less far away from the "Weberian ideal type" of bureaucratic rule. Such "limited statehood" is not an exception, it is the rule and more likely than not, it is here to stay. In a nutshell, the course is exploring the consequences that this condition has for understanding and influencing governance understood as the provision of collective goods such as security, welfare, education, public health, a clean environment, etc. Most of the contemporary discourse on governance takes certain core elements of an ideal type of statehood for granted. Particularly prominent among those are an effective monopoly over the legitimate use of force and/or the ability to implement and enforce political decisions. Often overlooked by mainstream research, however, in most parts of the world these assumptions do not hold. In most developing countries and transition states and even within OECD member states, control over the use of force is at least incomplete, and/or the state’s ability to implement and enforce political decisions is limited. Under such conditions, governance faces particular challenges and works differently from standard models. The course starts by analytically separating governance from statehood, which will allow us to analyze various modes of governance within and beyond the parameters of statehood. Case-wise, we will draw on numerous examples of governance from countries of the Southern hemisphere while covering a broad range of policy problems – from education and water supply via health services to disaster relief, and peace mediation.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Inclusive organisations in the digital age

Course-ID: GRAD-E1381

Abstract

Classic organisational studies depict organisations as deeply conservative human constructs. Unless subject to strong environmental pressures, organisations tend to resist major changes in their routines, power structures and administrative cultures. This resistance manifests in the managerial configurations that organisations choose to reproduce. The influential political economy work by North, Wallis and Weingast (2009), "Violence and Social Orders", suggests that the passage from personalistic managerial practices in organisations towards more impersonal and professional management is critical in the building of democratic open societies. What are the factors that determine this passage? Which tensions are created along the way and how should these be managed?

This course seeks to explore how organisations deal with contemporary pressures to embrace greater openness on several fronts. In particular, the course focuses on the management of workforce heterogeneity and how this affects organisational outcomes in a globalised and digital era. It draws insights from political science, sociology and organisational studies in order to unravel the challenges and opportunities that the management of societal diversity poses. The course covers four relevant themes. First, it provides a succinct overview of how democratic theories on equity, representation and inclusiveness are reflected at the organisational level. Second, it discusses how demographic changes and other environmental factors (legislation, cultural shifts, competitive pressures, etc.) operate as determinants of workforce diversification processes and how context shapes the resulting configurations. A third pillar explores different models for the management of workforce diversity in the context of fast-changing environments that involve the role of leadership, the organisational culture and the structuring of recruitment and appraisal processes. Finally, the course will discuss the evidence on the impacts of workforce diversity on organisations’ innovation capacities and the delivery of services in the context of the data economy. For each thematic pillar, the course will engage in deep analysis, comprehensively tackling key debates and questions surrounding this timely topic.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Introduction to data science

Course-ID: E1339
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Simon Munzert

Abstract

This course will introduce you to the modern data science workflow with R. In recent years, data analysis skills have become essential for those pursuing careers in policy advocacy and evaluation, business consulting and management, or academic research in the fields of education, health and social science. We will cover topics like version control (Git) and project management; data collection, wrangling, storage and visualisation; model fitting; advanced workflow issues, debugging, automation; and data science ethics.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Nonprofit organisations: Management and policy

Course-ID: E1316
Instructors: Prof. Helmut K. Anheier, PhD

Abstract

The increased importance of non-profit organisations – as service providers, vehicles of developmental or humanitarian assistance, policy advocates and social innovators, as well as instruments of government reform and privatisation – has moved this set of institutions closer to the centre of policy agendas. The course will provide an introduction to the conceptual background, examine the various theories that have been proposed, look at aspects of organisational governance and performance, and, for the most part, deal with management models and policy frameworks. The course is interdisciplinary and comparative in the sense that we will examine non-profits from different theoretical as well as national and international perspectives. The course uses a variety of instructional formats, e.g., lectures, seminar-type discussions, in-class presentations, as well as guest lectures.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

 

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Psychology for policy analysis and implementation

Course-ID: E1353
Instructors: Prof. Ruth Ditlmann, PhD

Abstract

The course covers how basic concepts from behavioural research in social psychology and judgment and decision making can shape policy formulation and implementation. Central themes include a detailed analysis of human judgment and decision making, and how a variety of motives and situational forces can affect people’s choices and behaviour. Combined, these topics have important implications for policy design that affects individuals as well as the functioning of the organizations that determine those policies. Lecture material is drawn from basic psychological research and from behaviourally-informed policy analysis. Students work with the instructor and each other to identify the relevance of this material for policy and management through discussion and a final paper.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Public service in a digital age

Course-ID: E1375
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hammerschmid

Abstract

Governments are becoming increasingly digitalised. With such changes and transformations, the skills and experience needed to work in a new digitalised public service are also changing. In this course, students will be provided with a comprehensive overview on the current and future trends in digital government and gain experience in eight core competencies associated with the public service in the digital era (users, risks, multidisciplinary, iteration, barriers, openness, data, and affordances). The course will provide students with an initial overview of digital government and digital transformation to serve as a foundation for the future lessons. Following this, students will be exposed to a number of different key aspects of digital government from service design to bureaucracy to procurement. The course goes beyond the common normative and technocentric approach that technology and digitalisation are inherently good and offers a critical discussion on the positives and negatives of digitalisation. Students will be encouraged to think critically throughout the course and will be exposed to both sides of the debate when it comes to digital government, allowing them to understand and unravel the most commonly occurring debates when it comes to digitalisation.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Tech companies and the public interest: How to regulate social media platforms

Course-ID: E1350
Instructors: Prof. Daniela Stockmann, PhD

Abstract

Social media have recently been criticised for spreading false information and hatespeech, polarising people, promoting populist parties, and threatening peace and stability. In an effort to manage the disruptive elements of social media many policy-makers, non-governmental organisations, and citizens have concluded that social media need to be regulated. Even Mark Zuckerberg has publicly requested: “please regulate us!”


This course engages with the current policy and academic debate about how to regulate social media platforms, focusing on its challenges for democracy and potential solutions. Part I begins with an overview of the problems that pose a challenge to democracy as well as the foundations, infrastructure, and governance of social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Youtube, Twitter). In Part II invited speakers from industry and academia discuss current controversies and regulatory challenges. To fill the knowledge gap about the empirical situation regarding platform regulation students will conduct a qualitative case study on a country of their own choice as part of the course. Students are encouraged to focus on regions outside of the European Union, although we will closely follow important policy-decisions regarding platform regulation currently being made in Europe under the German Presidency of the European Commission. In order to facilitate knowledge-building on the development of a European approach towards platform regulation students will actively contribute to the website www.digitalservicesact.eu throughout the course.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP, MDS students only.

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Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Text as data

Course-ID: E1282

Abstract

There is an abundance of unstructured data around us. Working with text is key, not just to measure discussions and opinions on social media or in product reviews, but also to gain insights into concepts important to the study of politics such as ideological positions or policy sentiments. The vast amount of textual data that one frequently needs to process and the messy form that it often comes in poses special challenges to researchers. This course introduces students to computational tools and methods that enable them to treat text as data. We will touch upon core theoretical concepts, but the main goal is to give you hands-on experience in using R to collect, load, prepare and analyse text data.

This course is for 2nd year MIA, MPP and MDS students only.

 

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