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

Environmental Justice & Economics

Course-ID: GRAD-E1459
Instructors: Johanna Arlinghaus

Abstract

 

This course will dive into the emerging empirical literature on the relationship between economics and environmental, energy and climate justice. After a conceptual introduction to the links between economics and environmental justice in the first session, this course is divided in 3 main parts. First, we will diagnose the problem, discussing selected dimensions (air and noise pollution, water, toxic waste, green space) of disproportionate exposure to pollution and environmental hazards across different population groups. Second, we will analyse the mechanisms through which disproportionate exposure arises, with a particular emphasis on residential sorting, property rights and the political process. Third, we will discuss empirical literature examining the potential unequal consequences of environmental policy instruments, such as taxes and cap-and-trade. The last session will be dedicated to exploring potential solutions to address these inequalities in policy practice.

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

Espionage & Diplomacy: Strategic Intelligence as a Factor in IR

Course-ID: GRAD-E1253
Instructors: 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, through 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 distinct component in the process of foreign policy making 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, through the Berlin 1961 Crisis and to the 9/11 attacks, we will analyze 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 utilize 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.

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

European Foreign Relations & Transatlantic Security

Course-ID: GRAD-E1434
Instructors: Markus Kaim

Abstract

 

The Russian invasion of Ukraine in 2022 marked a pivotal turning point in European security and defense policy. Consequently, defense spending in Europe has increased, strategic core capabilities have been developed, and defense policy has regained a central position in security strategies. Under President Joe Biden's leadership, the United States firmly supported Ukraine. Russia's aggression also unleashed unexpected dynamics within the European Union (EU). Since February 2024, EU member states, particularly in the areas of security and defense, have made significant progress.

Traditionally, the United States has been perceived as a security provider in and for Europe, from which no European government wished to separate. However, with the beginning of US President Donald Trump's second term in January 2025, the US has been pressuring its European allies to assume military responsibility independently without the usual backing from Washington and NATO. This approach is particularly drastic in the context of Ukraine: Trump demands that Europe deploy troops to secure a potential ceasefire, even if it is excluded from negotiations.

In this context, the question arises as to what adjustments Europeans will have to make in security and defense policy within the framework of NATO and, even more so, within the EU, to compensate for a potentially declining role of the US. This question is particularly relevant because, despite various efforts, Europeans have not been able to overcome the fundamental shortcomings of their security and defense policy in the past years.

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

Excel Advanced

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1029
Instructors: Sven Froese

Abstract

 

In this workshop, we will explore the advanced functions and possibilities of Excel table calculation. We will look into what is required for working with large amounts of data and its automatic processing. During the weekend the topics of the basic workshop will be partly repeated and looked into in more detail.

You will have the opportunity to bring examples/problems from your practical work with Excel to be solved with the tools we will develop during the class.

This class is for people who need to process larger amounts of data and who want to increase their skills in Excel above average.

The topics include:

transforming data into database format

fixing columns of data

data consolidation

Pivot Tables

advanced formulas

preparing templates and limiting tables for other users

short introduction into macros (not VBA programming)

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

Excel Basic

Course-ID: GRAD-SW1028
Instructors: Sven Froese

Abstract

 

In this workshop, we willll deal with the basic functions and possibilities of table calculation. Youll learn how to transfer your mathematical tasks into Excel and how to structure, calculate and change the appearance of tables. This class is for people who want to structure their work, make it less time-consuming and learn more about the possibilities of Excel. It is suitable for those with no or intermediate experience in Excel.

The topics include:

entering & editing data

formatting data

calculation with formulas functions

shortcuts

application of named areas

sorting/filtering

logical functions (e.g. if)

working in parallel on multiple sheets

linking sheets/workbooks

preparation for printout

settings & security

charts

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

Exercising Leadership: Making Hard Decisions

Course-ID: GRAD-E1478
Instructors: Konstantinos Bakogiannis

Abstract

 

You are the leader. Elected, appointed or even anointed. And now what? How to do achieve your goals in the real world? The purpose of the course is to increase one's capacity to lead with and without authority, across boundaries, and from any political or organizational position.

This course provides a diagnostic and strategic foundation for leadership practice. Hence it draws from several disciplines including philosophy, political science, social psychology and business management. History, in particular, provides a rich caseload and the hard decisions at key historical turning points will be discussed.

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

Fieldwork Methods

Course-ID: GRAD-SW1096
Instructors: Ilyas Saliba

Abstract

 

In this block seminar, the participants will learn the advantages and disadvantages of different fieldwork methods for data collection most commonly used by social scientists, such as qualitative interviews, field surveys, archival work, ethnographic observations. Students will learn how to plan fieldwork missions and conduct a risk assessment based on the research topic, fieldwork context and the research method they choose to employ to gather data in the field. During the course, we will also discuss strategies and techniques to mitigate fieldwork-related risks in order to ensure high ethical and safety standards for researchers, interlocutors and research participants. In this light we will also touch upon issues of framing research projects depending on the audience, reflecting on various personal characteristics that might affect your fieldwork, as well as communication and data security. After the course, students will have received an overview of various fieldwork data collection methods and how to assess and mitigate safety risks associated with these. Furthermore, students will have learned tools that help them to plan and conduct fieldwork in difficult contexts. These skills are not only valuable for students continuing a career in research at universities or research institutes but also in science policy, science diplomacy and scientific cooperation or CSOs or think tanks in the development and humanitarian sector.

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

Future of Europe

Course-ID: GRAD-E1377
Instructors: Christine Reh

Abstract

 

The ‘Future of Europe’ is a Europeanship CIVICA Multi-Campus course, a flagship initiative of the CIVICA project, an alliance of ten leading European higher education institutions in social sciences. 

The course is a series of online lectures that critically explores the main European policy challenges. Rather than having one main instructor, it is designed and taught jointly by a team of professors from the different partners of the alliance. Course participants also include students from all CIVICA partner universities.

The course will be delivered synchronously across all the campuses of the CIVICA partners, as a series of live online lectures. The course also includes a weekly in-person lab at Hertie, to explore lecture topics in more detail. The lab is taught by a Hertie teaching assistant, who synthesizes the course concepts. On top of lectures, the course spurs students to work in teams across countries and disciplines, with the aim of completing a final capstone project assignment related to specific and concrete policy challenges.

Main learning objectives:

While experiencing the unique opportunity of having direct interaction with some of the top scholars on policy areas across different countries and institutions, at the end of the course students will be able to:

1. Outline and critically appraise challenging areas of policy-making facing the European Union in the coming years

2. Apply key concepts and insights from the relevant theoretical literatures to the investigation of contemporary European policy challenges.

3. Explain and evaluate the dynamics which characterize European Union policy responses with a particular focus on responses in times of crisis

4. Identify and analyze the main economic, political and societal challenges posed by globalization, climate change, the digital transition and consider the evolution of the political systems within the European Union in response to these challenges

5. Working in groups, develop and propose in written and oral form evidence-based policy solutions to EU-relevant policy problems

*CIVICA – The European University of Social Sciences brings together ten leading European higher education institutions in the social sciences. CIVICA aims to build an inter-university campus that provides joint and long-lasting opportunities in teaching, research and innovative learning, while enhancing academic excellence and facilitating civic engagement in Europe and beyond. CIVICA was selected by the European Commission as one of the pilot European Universities in 2019 and confirmed as successful alliance in 2022 for its full roll-out under the Erasmus+ programme. 

Read more on www.civica.eu

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

Geo-Economic & High-Tech Competition

Course-ID: GRAD-E1480
Instructors: Mauro Gilli

Abstract

 

The course aims to introduce students to how market forces, political goals and technological dynamics affect the competition among companies and countries for influence, profits and power. The course will first expose students to some of the sources of political power, including industrial bottlenecks, geographic chokepoints, market concentration, market size, technological leadership, and other features in the global economy, and how economic and technological dynamics can strengthen or weaken some of these conditions. To this goal, the course will pay particular attention to industrial production, and to the challenges that restrict the number of producers at many stages along the supply chain, from refining critical minerals to etching semiconductors. The course will then focus on different industries that have strategic relevance, including aerospace, defense, drones, energy, rare earth, semiconductors and software.

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

Geospatial Analysis for Data Science

Course-ID: GRAD-E1457
Instructors: Alexandra Kapp

Abstract

 

From election results over housing prices to air pollution measurements, most data can be located on a map and can thus be considered geodata. This course covers the basics of geospatial analysis and its application in real-world data science problems with a focus on public policy-related topics. We will start with the basics of geospatial data, such as the fundamental data models vector and raster, typical data formats, and (open) data sources. R is introduced as a tool to edit, analyze, and visualize geodata and we will delve into spatial data operations as well as different techniques for spatial statistics that will provide the tools to accomplish geodata-based use cases. In summary, this course will enable the students to use tools for handling geodata, extract insights through suitable operations and spatial statistics methods, and create powerful visualizations with maps.

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

Getting Things Done in Politics

Course-ID: GRAD-E1452
Instructors: Armand Zorn, Sven Siefken

Abstract

 

The seminar introduces the paths to government in the parliamentary democracy of Germany and compares it with other political systems. Throughout the seminar, we provide a systematic understanding of political theories and an overview of empirical findings from current research. The seminar will be co-designed with the students to cater to their particular interest and take into account their previous knowledge. Throughout, the course is characterized by a hands-on approach, bringing together the academic and practical knowledge of the two instructors. They have taught similar classes in the MA of American Government at Georgetown University, Washington, D.C., in Spring 2023, at the Hertie School in 2024 and at Colorado College in Colorado Springs since 2021. The objective is to provide students with the necessary leadership skills to formulate, develop and realize their ideas in a political environment.

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

Global Environmental Politics

Course-ID: GRAD-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?

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