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

Introduction to Python

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1082
Instructors: Joshua Aje

Abstract

This course introduces students to the fundamentals of the Python programming language for data analysis.

Main learning objectives:

  • Learn the fundamentals of writing Python scripts
  • Discover core scripting elements such as data types, variables and flow control structures
  • Understand and work with data structures such as lists, tuples and dictionaries to store collections of related data
  • Write and define your own Python functions to facilitate code reuse
  • Learn how to find and use modules in the Python Standard Library and other third-party libraries
  • Perform basic operations with data with libraries like NumPy and Pandas

The course is intended to be highly interactive and the instruction style serves this purpose. A large emphasis is placed on hands-on experience and allowing students to test out everything they have learned during the course by solving related problems.

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

Leadership in the non-profit sector

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1075
Instructors: Lanna Idriss

Abstract

How to change the world? Challenges for leadership in civil society.

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

Leading from the inside out

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1074
Instructors: Ofer Dotan

Abstract

This course aims to help students develop strategies for self-leadership by practising self-awareness and self-reflection as a means to developing one's resilience and enhancing the ability to empathise with others. It will also provide practical tools for managing one’s time and resources. The course will help students answer questions such as: How can I stay afloat amidst a myriad of things to juggle? How do I prioritise and how do I manage stress? What do I hold on to when everyone is holding on to me?

These questions are typical to anyone who works in demanding environments and definitely to leaders. Considering that most Hertie School students end up in such working environments, it is essential that you start early with developing ways of (and tools for) leading yourself better, as well as managing your time and priorities. Moreover, being on top of your own game, focusing on your efficacy, resilience and motivational drivers is key to leading others successfully and reliably. 

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

Legistik (legistics)

Course-ID: PDC1094

Abstract

Legistik – Gesetzgebungmethodik, Gesetzgebungsrecht, Gesetzgebungstechnik: Die Veranstaltung betont die politische Bedeutung von Gesetzen als Regierungsinstrument und Methode der Good Governance. Dabei wird die legistische Technik und exekutive Praxis zur Produktion guter Gesetze dargestellt. Der parlamentarische Beschlussprozess stellt sich als politisierter Entscheidungsprozess dar, der aus der Binnenperspektive ausgeleuchtet und erklärt werden soll.

(Please note that this course will be in German only).

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

Open-source investigation for human rights: Ethics, methods and practices

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1069

Abstract

From videos of rights violations, through satellite images of environmental degradation, to eyewitness accounts disseminated on social media, human rights practitioners have access to more data today than ever before. Modern technology - and the enhanced access it provides to information about abuse - has revolutionised both human rights reporting and documentation, as well as the pursuit of legal accountability and future policy. 

However, open source methods for information gathering and dissemination have also created significant challenges for researchers and analysts as the capture and dissemination of content is often haphazard. For it to be of use for policy, advocacy and accountability, it must be discovered, verified and authenticated. 

This course will discuss the history, ethics, methods and best practices associated with open-source research and how it can be incorporated into documentation and investigation processes for human rights advocacy and accountability.  

By the end of the course, students taking the course will: 

1. Understand how to start, conduct and publish open source investigations 

2. Be able to verify content sourced from the social web 

3. Be able to consider the ethical and wellbeing challenges associated with open-source investigations 

4. Be familiar with the online tools needed to conduct open-source investigations 

5. Develop the mindset associated with open-source investigations.

 

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

Strategic campaigning for human rights

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1078
Instructors: Dr. Begüm Başdaş

Abstract

This two-day skills workshop aims to provide the students with the fundamental tools of strategic campaigning for human rights. Each session will address different elements of campaigning such as establishing short- and long-term campaign objectives, target audiences and influencers, key messaging and communication strategies as well monitoring, evaluation and risk analysis within campaign strategies. The sessions will use examples and cases mainly on LGBTI+ rights, refugee rights, freedom of expression and assembly and the protection of human rights defenders. The workshop includes participatory learning methodologies and aims to offer students introductory knowledge in human rights campaign planning and management.

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

Strategic foresight: Scenarios to challenge assumptions

Course-ID: PDC1093

Abstract

The overarching learning objective of this PDC is to give participants a basic understanding of foresight and applicable tools for the development of scenarios. Through this course, participants should gain knowledge of the systematic derivation of possible futures – and how to make them relevant to challenge or develop strategy. The focus is on the development and clustering of factors, which shape plausible futures and the identification of relevant stakeholders.

Specific learning objectives for the PDC are:

  • Understand the added value of the scenario method
  • Have an overview about areas of applicability (risk management, strategy development, etc.)
  • Get initial orientation points for the independent use of the method and how to adapt it

After active participation and engaged learning during the PDC, the participants will be able to use this strategy approach and the underlying processes and tools in a targeted manner.

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

Sustainable investment

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1081

Abstract

In this two-day course, attendees will learn hands-on steps for their personal money management. This includes tips and tricks on how to set up a budget, how to calculate individual investment needs, and how to invest in the stock exchange. At the end of the course, attendees will have their own sustainable financial plan and a guide to sustainable investing.

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

Understanding agility – beyond the hype

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1071

Abstract

"The agile manifesto", "User stories", "sprints", "retrospectives", "scrum" and "kanban boards". Have you ever heard of those words and can you define them? If not, then this course is a good place for you to start looking into the theories and practices of business agility, especially since they abound in organisations nowadays, given that ­ 70% of organisations worldwide use some kind of agile practice.

In this course we take a bird’s-eye view and explore the vast world of agile business practices, learning about various approaches. We don’t only look at being agile in terms of project management, but also (and mostly) in terms of agile values, an agile mindset and agile transformation on an organisational level:

  • What is agile
  • Where did agile come from
  • How is it helpful for organisations today
  • Agile values and principles (mindset)
  • Agile frameworks and practices (process)
  • Case studies, hints and tips and much more
  •  “Post agility”

From a didactic perspective the course is conceived of as group coaching based on knowledge input, self-reflection (individual and group), discussion and evaluation.

At the end of the training participants will:

  • Develop a deep understanding of agile: Why, when and how do I use it?
  • Recognise the external forces of today’s business landscape that are driving organisations to adopt agile ways of working;
  • Introduce several major agile methodologies such as scrum, design thinking and kanban;
  • Be able to understand what is behind the jargon so they can do more than play agile bingo;
  • Have experienced several key methods.
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Master of Data Science for Public Policy Master of International Affairs Master of Public Policy

Writing policy memos: When and how to communicate what

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1076
Instructors: Zoé von Finck

Abstract

The objective is to better understand how and in which context to write policy memos and how to prioritise information relative to the recipient and the situation. Learning will be gained through teaching and exercises based on real-life communication in current and former (German) foreign policy and development contexts. It will also include a current case study that will be determined in due course. 

The learning objective is to better understand when and how to communicate what and gain a better insight into the craft of writing policy memos. The course will focus on German policy memos, however, the principles of communication certainly still apply in various international contexts.

The course will present different policy settings where communication is required, for instance 1) how to inform and advise policymakers on current events 2) how to inform and advise policymakers on important decisions 3) how to prepare memos for foreign policymakers when they are discussing specific subjects with their counterparts (for example other Ministers of Foreign Affairs), 4) how to communicate an issue to the press and 5) how to report from an Embassy abroad (cable writing).

In summary the learning outcome will encompass:

  • An awareness and understanding of different communication situations 
  • An awareness and understanding of different forms of policy memos 
  • An introduction to situation-based communication and a better understanding of the kind of information policymakers need  
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Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Causal inference

Course-ID: GRAD-C22
Instructors: Dr. William Lowe

Abstract

This course presents the theory and practice of contemporary causal inference and its recent applications in and connections to data science and machine learning. Significant advances in causal inference have come from a wide variety of disciplines, including philosophy, economics, statistics, computer science and epidemiology. This course will introduce students to methods from all of these disciplines and will consider what they can add to a wide range of policy debates, from traditional policy impact assessment, through research design criticism and correction, to recent conceptual frameworks of fairness as they illuminate normative policy dilemmas. Because nothing is more practical than a good theory.

This course is for 1st year MDS students only.

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Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Data structures and algorithms

Course-ID: C9

Abstract

This course begins with an introduction to fundamental programming concepts and presents important concepts in data structures and algorithms. Students will learn how to design and how to analyse efficient algorithms as well as how to write efficient code using established software engineering practices and paradigms. This combination of the theoretical and the practical will position students well to have confidence in undertaking substantial software engineering projects.

This course is for 1st year MDS students only.

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