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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

GRAD-E1319

Course-ID: Governance & Politics of AI
Instructors: Prof. Joanna Bryson, PhD

Abstract

Innovations in Technology (DT), particularly Artificial intelligence (AI), are transforming economies, societies, and security world-wide, leading to crisis-level governance quandaries and political debate. AI is unusual even for a transformative technology, in that most if not all decision makers, leaders and ordinary citizens alike, come to it with preconceptions derived from fiction and popular misunderstanding. This makes it unusually easy for AI policy to be deflected from a scientific basis. Meanwhile, the transformations of the information age alter the landscape of governance, exposing and altering preexisting social and political problems, yet also offering novel solutions. This course explores technology-related social transformations and the corresponding policy challenges, highlighting active areas of political debate and policy research. Establishing first a firm scientific and data-led understanding of both AI and its present impacts, this course examines options, opportunities, and obligations for individuals and our societies; corporations, governments, civil society, and others. We explore the deployment of algorithms by all these entities; issues of ethics, fairness, transparency, accountability, and power relations raised by AI techniques, including but not limited to machine learning. We look at balances and interactions between regulation and innovation, and security and freedom; the effects of AI on human identity, rights, economic well-being, and security more generally; the increasing oppressive capabilities of state- and non-state actors; and the increasing efficacy and coordination capacities of us all. We consider both the politics and the efficacy of public and private strategies of regulation, observing current efforts at local, national, and transnational levels as exercised by governments, corporations, and other organisations.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1322

Course-ID: Applied Longitudinal Data Analysis
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Michaela Kreyenfeld

Abstract

This course teaches basic sociological concepts and empirical methods that enable students to study mobility across the life course. How long does it take to leave poverty or unemployment? What determines upward mobility in the labour market? When do individuals leave education, the parental home, get divorced or have a child? How do patterns vary by gender, education, family context, migration background and country? In order to answer questions of this kind, we use micro-level data from various sources. Moreover, students will get familiar with classical methods for longitudinal data. These include, in particular: Event history modelling, sequence analysis and fixed-effects regression. Some R skills (usually obtained in STATS I) are useful.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1336

Course-ID: Business & Sustainable Development
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Sébastien Mena

Abstract

The role of business has been pointed out as essential to sustainable development – commonly defined as meeting economic, social and environmental present needs without compromising future ones. Yet, sustainable development means different things to different constituents, and sustainable business strategies are often criticized as self-serving. While for-profits clearly drive economic development, their role in environmental preservation and social justice is less obvious.

 

 

The overarching aim of this course is to equip you with a critical and comprehensive understanding of the responsibilities of modern business organizations in relation to sustainable development. This course will provide you with frameworks and practical examples on how to assess and address the complex issues of (corporate) sustainability in a systematic way.

 

 

The course will introduce the role of business in society and for sustainable development. We will examine the associated complex social and environmental responsibilities of business organizations towards a range of stakeholders. You will learn to assess the impact of corporations on their social and natural environments. We will also examine the challenges and requirements of integrating sustainability in business operations and building sustainable products and supply chains across a wide range of contexts and industries. And we will explore the different meanings of sustainability for different stakeholders, and how some of these actors (governmental, non-governmental, for-profit) partner and collaborate to deal with sustainability issues.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1339

Course-ID: Introduction to Data Science
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 visualization; model fitting; advanced workflow issues, debugging, automation; and data science ethics.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1354

Course-ID: Data Science & Decision Making
Instructors: Dr. William Lowe

Abstract

This course is about decision making in theory and practice. Our theoretical framework will be classical decision theory, informed by the literature on human and machine cognitive performance and bias. Our discussion of practice will also be informed by invited speakers who are chosen to be people whose jobs require them to make decisions in a technical context, e.g., to run election campaigns, evaluate government programs, or drive sales.

Prerequisites: Statistics 1 and 2, or equivalent. Familiarity with basic probability manipulations, up to Bayes theorem. Familiarity with machine learning and prediction models will be helpful but not required.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1361

Course-ID: The Rise of China
Instructors: Prof. Daniela Stockmann, PhD

Abstract

China's impressive development during the past 40 years is often perceived as challenging the United States as the most powerful player in global politics. As the American economy has slowed down during the pandemic and the American political system is under pressure internally, arguments in support of the rise of China appear to be more convincing than ever. Is China really rising? What are the origins and underpinnings of China's development? And what are the implications of China's rise for foreign politics? This course examines the causes and consequences of China's rise. Although there is a strong focus on domestic politics, we will also spend considerable time and energy on understanding China's foreign policy. Students do not need to have any previous knowledge about China.

The course is divided into two parts. The first part covers the origins and underpinnings of China's development marked by fostering economic development with limited political reform. The second part examines key factors in explaining China's foreign policy. This includes basic developments in China's bilateral relations with other states, particularly the United States, and China's relations with other actors in international politics, such as the European Union.

In addition to understanding the political dynamics involved in China's rise, we also explore challenges and strategies to build a cooperative relationship with China. As part of the US-China trade war many companies and states feel under pressure to choose one side, which fosters an atmosphere conducive to conflict. Proponents of this strategy argue that countries need to build an alliance with a strong stance against China. Others argue that it is important to continue to seek cooperation with liberal forces inside the country to avoid future conflict. This course gives you the opportunity to develop your own stance on this question by starting to build understanding of China on your own.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1367

Course-ID: Economics of Media
Instructors: Prof. Arianna Ornaghi, PhD

Abstract

The media exert an important influence on politics and policy. In this course, we will discuss classic and recent research in economics that explores the role played by traditional and social media. We will begin by looking at how the media influence politicians’ behavior, voters’ choices, and policy outcomes. We will also discuss the determinants on content choice (e.g. slant), including the role played by market structure. Then, we will turn our attention to the emergence of social media and what their features imply for political outcomes, individual well-being, and news production. The last sessions of the course will be devoted to recent developments in the area such as hate speech and misinformation. We will approach these issues through the discussion of empirical research papers in economics. As part of the course, students will improve their understanding of state-of-the-art techniques for causal inference and learn to critically evaluate empirical research in economics.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1368

Course-ID: The Politics of Food
Instructors: Harry Bauer

Abstract

The questions of how and what we eat has become a key topic for public debate. Indeed, the issue of food manifests itself in different forms that are often vehicles for new understandings of the self, the nation, the environment and/ or the planet; just take the rise of consumer and farmer movements that oppose industrialised food production and worry about the future of agricultural sustainability or take the growing focus on food and cuisine in the media and other cultural industries.

Drawing on a number of disciplines, this course places food production, distribution and consumption at the centre of scrutiny. Like many other areas of life, it takes the world of food to be a world of politics and power—a world in which policy-makers, economists, environmentalists, agribusinesses, scientists, consumers, and social justice groups, all holding vastly different views, seek to influence the food system and related policies. Hence, the world of food and the way our food systems work and worked offers important insights into the interplay of power, politics and identity—including relations between developing and developed countries, between genders as well as people and the natural world.

It is through the lens of food that this course will hence explore some of the major global challenges of our time, like: food, self and identity; food and cultural heritage; food and migration; food and the nation; food, the media and popular culture; the political economy of human-environment relations; food and the consumer society; food poverty and the politics of food waste; state policy and the healthy body politic; food and the 'moral economy'; the future of food production and consumption.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1369

Course-ID: Global Environmental Politics
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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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1370

Course-ID: Artificial Intelligence & Climate Change
Instructors: Prof. Lynn Kaack, PhD

Abstract

Artificial intelligence (AI) and climate change are both topics on top of the policy agenda that require a deep technological understanding of the problem space. It does not come as a surprise that these two topics also affect one another in multifaceted ways. This course will explore the relationship of AI and climate change through a policy lens, and ask the question of what policy-makers can do to align AI with climate change goals. Readings will provide students with insights into cutting edge research using AI and machine learning (ML) to address climate change. The course will also cover how AI is deployed in ways that are detrimental to these goals, provide a perspective on systemic effects of AI-driven technologies and their impacts on social well-being, and discuss energy and resource consumption related to AI's computational requirements. Together, we will explore technology assessment and design possible policy instruments. Students will learn how to navigate this intersection of two hot button topics and provide informed and practical advice to policy makers.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1375

Course-ID: Public Service in a Digital Age
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Gerhard Hammerschmid

Abstract

Governments are becoming increasingly digitalised. With such changes and transformations, the skills and experiences that are needed to work in a new digitalized public service are also changing. In this course, students will be provided with a comprehensive overview on the current and future trends of 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.

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Master of Public Policy Master of International Affairs

GRAD-E1377

Course-ID: Future of Europe
Instructors: Dr. Johannes Lindner

Abstract

The graduate course on the ‘Future of Europe’ is the first Europeanship Multi-Campus course, one of the flagship initiatives of the CIVICA project, an alliance of ten leading European higher education institutions in social sciences. The course critically explores the main European policy challenges and is designed and taught jointly by a team of professors from the different partners of the alliance. The course will be delivered synchronously across all the campuses of the CIVICA consortium as a series of live on-line lectures, integrated with local activities. 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.

Participating students from the Hertie School will also attend weekly in-person labs taught by a Teaching Assistant, where they will discuss the contents of the lectures. Please note that the Session 7 Policy Paper Training Camp deviates from the regular scheduled day/time.

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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