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

Understanding & Influencing the Legislative Process

Course-ID: GRAD-PDC1090
Instructors: Aaron Allen

Abstract

This course provides participants an in-depth and practical understanding of national legislative bodies. Through utilizing the U.S. Congress as a case study, this workshop is a holistic and interactive offering for prospective practitioners interested in influencing the policymaking process. The curriculum incorporates complementary lectures, simulations, and discussions with a focus on drafting legislation and amendments, committee hearing and voting procedures, legislative negotiations, lobbying, parliamentary coalition agreements, and the impact of elections and campaign contributions. Participants will also garner a stronger aptitude for analyzing contemporary political trends and their effects on democratic institutions.

After participating in this workshop, students will be able to:

Draft legislation and amendments and utilize key legislative procedures;

Negotiate legislation and coalition agreements with ideologically diverse actors;

Understand the intersections between politics and policy and the role public and private institutions play in influencing the policymaking process;

Develop strategies to shape legislation to ensure one's preferred policy outcome.

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

World Order Models in Theory & Practice

Course-ID: GRAD-E1443
Instructors: Tobias Bunde

Abstract

If there is one thing world leaders today can still agree on, it is the shared assumption that the world has entered a decisive decade, in which the future international order will be shaped. Joe Biden often refers to “a significant inflection point in world history.” Olaf Scholz has spoken of a “Zeitenwende”, a watershed. Vladimir Putin sees the world at a crossroads, entering the “most dangerous decade” since the end of World War II. According to Narendra Modi, “the world order is taking a new shape.”

Building on various theoretical approaches to understand “order” on the global level, this course discusses the contemporary crisis of the international order, its causes and its consequences: What are the main principles of the contemporary international order? Which intellectual traditions inform the debate about world order today? Why is there a crisis of what has been called the liberal international order? Who is contesting which elements of the order? Can it be reformed – and if so how? What are the fundamental alternative visions discussed today? Which of the visions of a new world order will shape the future? What could a peaceful and sustainable global order look like?

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

Writing Policy Memos: When & 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 depending on the recipient and the situation. The 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, the principles of communication however certainly 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 about 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).

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