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Course catalogue

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

Media skills

Year 1 | Skills course (PDC1018 , 1 credits)
Module: 4. Skills Workshop | 5. Professional Development
Instructors: Angela Kea

Abstract

This intensive training course will provide students with the essential skills to begin engaging with the media in a professional and competent manner. Students will be guided through preparing for interviews and participating in broadcast news. The course will also provide insights into managing crisis communication events. Students will gain practical interview experience. Interviews will be reviewed and guidance for improvement will be offered. This training course offers an excellent opportunity for students to learn directly from journalists about working with the media.

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

Professional writing for public policy

Year 1 | Skills course (PDC1038 , 1 credits)
Module: 4. Skills Workshop | 5. Professional Development
Instructors: Sebastian Gallander

Abstract

Whether you will work in government, in an NGO, a political party, on parliamentary staff or at a think tank – you will always strive to put forward public policy ideas. Public policy ideas, however, can only really succeed when their goals get recognised and understood by the public. Therefore, they need to be explained clearly to the news media. To that end, policymakers should package their ideas into one of the two main products that can be processed by journalists and editors: The press release and the article. The press release is written like an objective, factual report highlighting the new aspects of the policy idea and putting it into the larger political context. The article (often referred to as an Op-Ed) gives a strong, well-argued opinion about the policy idea and is supposed to be published under the name of the policymaker - be it in the New York Times or at huffingtonpost.com.

Of course, offering these two products to the media does not guarantee that they will cover your work or that your policy idea will be readily embraced by the public. It does, however, give you a fair chance of making your voice heard. Hence, everyone working in public policy should be confident in structuring their thoughts like this and in writing them down in an easy-to-comprehend fashion. To prepare you for this, the course will teach you the basic techniques of these two types of texts. At the same time, it aims to help you sharpen your writing skills overall. Ultimately, this course should also strengthen your sense of developing storylines and narratives that resonate with the public.

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

Team building and leadership

Year 1 | Skills course (PDC1013 , 1 credits)
Module: 4. Skills Workshop | 5. Professional Development
Instructors: Dipl. Pol. Simon Raiser, Dipl. Pol. Björn Warkalla

Abstract

This seminar improves and challenges the participants' team building and leadership competencies in an interactive way. It will provide some theoretical background on leading and working in teams, but mainly it will help transfer this knowledge to practical situations. In addition to group work phases, the training will include several shorter and longer exercises including feedback from the instructors. At the end of the training, participants will have:

  • Been introduced to the idea of leadership being essentially about dealing with complexity and about making decisions in complex situations;
  • Understood the idea of different leadership styles and started reflecting on and further developing their own leadership style;
  • Gained insights into different ways of leading – as well as working in a team – and be able to relate this to their experience from other work contexts;
  • Improved their practical teamwork and leadership skills in the following respects (among others): Defining the structure of the team, organising the workflow, establishing clear and realistic goals, communicating effectively, recognising and managing conflicts, coaching and motivating team members, etc.
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Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy Master of International Affairs

Trends of German Foreign Policy

Year 1 | Skills course (GRAD-PDC1068 , 1 credits)
Module: 4. Skills Workshop | 5. Professional Development

Abstract

This course will provide comprehensive perspectives on contemporary German foreign policy. The first segment will include an introduction to norms and principles as the lenses through which Germany perceives the world. The course content will then move beyond theoretical conceptions of foreign policy decision making by diving into concrete challenges that Germany faces on the international stage. The participants will analyse the reach and limit of Germany's role in the world by discussing relevant and contemporary foreign policy issues, among them China's centrality to the future of the international order.

Participants will be asked to contribute actively to the course with their own expertise and opinions in order to create a conducive learning atmosphere.

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Master of Public Policy Master of Data Science for Public Policy

Law and governance

Semester 2 | Core course (GRAD-C2-2001 , 6 credits)
Module: 1. Law & Governance | 2. Law & Governance
Instructors: Prof. Mark Dawson, PhD, Pierre Thielbörger, Dr. Martijn van den Brink, Dana Schmalz

Abstract

For those in the business of governing, understanding the institutions, methods and substance of the law is crucial. Policy-makers must understand the law, both as a potential instrument of societal change, and as an important constraint to the process of regulation and decision-making. This course will explore the relationship between law and governance, providing participants with an introduction into legal decision-making and the role of law and courts in the political system. It will also aim to develop core legal skills such as legal argumentation and interpretation. A particular priority will be to explore the ‘multi-level’ nature of modern law. The growth of international and regional organisations and regimes has increasingly made disputes and rules that were once ‘local’ the subject of international constraints and norms. At the same time, trans-national legal orders may have a quite different character from their national counter-parts. The course will therefore draw on examples from both the EU and international legal orders.

This course is for 1st year MPP and MDS students only.

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

Applied logistic regression

Year 2 | Elective course (E1201 , 6 credits)
Module: 6. Portfolio Elective | 5. Policy Analysis Concentration Elective | 7. Portfolio Elective
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Michaela Kreyenfeld

Abstract

This course provides “hands-on-experience” to logistic regression analysis. This course does not teach “dry” statistical techniques. Instead, all lectures start with a social policy relevant research question. Together with the instructor, the students will develop an understanding of how to choose the right data set, how to process the data for empirical investigations and how to conduct simple, but straightforward empirical investigations. We focus on methods for discrete data. The reason is that most processes in the political sciences are discrete. To give some typical examples: What determines xenophobic attitudes? Who agrees to more government spending for the elderly? What influences poverty and social exclusion? In order to answer such questions in a regression framework, one commonly draws on logistic regression techniques.

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

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

Authoritarian politics and international relations

Year 2 | Elective course (E1374 , 6 credits)
Module: 5. Security & Sustainability Concentration Elective | 6. Portfolio Elective | 7. Portfolio Elective | 5. International Security Concentration Elective
Instructors: Dr. Christian Gläßel

Abstract

This course offers an introduction into the fundamental logic of authoritarian politics. The main goal of the course is to develop a deeper understanding of how autocracies work internally and how they interact with the international arena. Taking a rational perspective, we analyze the key actors, strategies, and effects of authoritarian rule from the 20th century to the present day. Based on cutting-edge research, the course engages with questions such as: How do authoritarian regimes arise? Why do some dictatorships survive for decades, and others do not? How do dictators deal with the dual threat of revolution and coup? When do regimes use repression and why would they refrain from it? How do dictators censor and what is the effect? How do dictators manipulate public opinion abroad? And how can the liberal state community counteract democratic backsliding tendencies, restrictions on civil liberties, and human rights violations?

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

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

Data perspectives on global greenhouse gas emissions

Year 2 | Elective course (GRAD-E1402 , 6 credits)
Module: 7. Portfolio Elective | 6. Portfolio Elective | 5. Policy Analysis Concentration Elective | 5. Security & Sustainability Concentration Elective
Instructors: Michael Jakob

Abstract

Climate change is driven by the accumulation of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions in the atmosphere. Where do these emissions come from? Which economic sectors drive emissions, and why? Why are the emissions contributions of different countries and world regions so unequal? And how fast can emissions be reduced to meet net zero targets? This course aims to address these questions while building student’s practical skills in analysing data and assessing real-world trends at the core of the sustainability and climate change challenge.

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

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

Conflict management in real-life settings

Year 2 | Elective course (E1346 , 6 credits)
Module: 5. Security & Sustainability Concentration Elective | 6. Portfolio Elective | 5. International Security Concentration Elective | 7. Portfolio Elective
Instructors: Wolfgang Sporrer

Abstract

The aim of this course is to familiarize students with how conflict management is conducted in the daily practice of diplomacy, international organizations and non-state actors. It will look at the conflict cycle in its entirety, from prevention to post-conflict reconstruction. As well, relevant key skills in this context will be taught, such as the drafting and introducing of background papers, talking points, briefing notes and other forms of statements. Online guest speakers from diplomacy, international organizations and from non-state actors will share examples of their daily work and impart their experience of international conflict management in their own practice.

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

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

Development economics

Year 2 | Elective course (GRAD-E1393 , 6 credits)
Module: 7. Portfolio Elective | 6. Portfolio Elective | 5. Policy Analysis Concentration Elective
Instructors: Prof. Arianna Ornaghi, PhD

Abstract

What challenges do governments in developing countries face when designing taxation systems and social protection programs? How can bureaucracies in developing countries be designed to be effective? Why are high-return technologies not always adopted? These are the three key questions that we are going to contend with in this course. We are going to address each question by discussing state-of-the-art research in development economics, with a specific methodological focus on randomized control trails.

 

The first half of the course is going to be devoted to thinking about public finance in a developing context. We are going to start by thinking about what a large informal sector and weak state capacity mean for tax systems and the design of social protection programs from targeting to governance. We will also consider the general equilibrium effects of different social protection schemes and what determines demand for them. In the second half of the course, we are going to tackle the bureacracies that make some of these programs a reality. In particular, we are going to ask how can bureacurats be effectively selected and incentivized, and how bureacracies can be designed to improve their performance. We are going to conclude by discussing the challenges of technology adoption.

 

Throughout the course, we will discuss how randomized control trials can be designed to evaluate policies and understand economic mechanisms

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

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

Electricity system modeling

Year 2 | Elective course (GRAD-E1269 , 6 credits)
Module: 7. Portfolio Elective | 6. Portfolio Elective | 5. Security & Sustainability Concentration Elective | 5. Policy Analysis Concentration Elective
Instructors: Prof. Dr. Lion Hirth

Abstract

Electricity System Modeling is an introduction to computer-based modeling of electricity systems using spreadsheet programs (Excel) and numerical optimization software (GAMS). In this do-it-yourself centred course, students will learn the science and the art – and the limitations – of electricity system modeling.

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

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

Foreign policy decision-making

Year 2 | Elective course (GRAD-E1414 , 4 credits)
Module: 7. Portfolio Elective | 6. Portfolio Elective | 5. International Security Concentration Elective
Instructors: Robin Markwica, D.Phil.

Abstract

Why did Vladimir Putin choose to wage war against Ukraine? How did Donald J. Trump’s personality influence US foreign policy vis-à-vis North Korea? And what are the most important factors shaping Beijing’s behaviour towards Taiwan? In this course, we will try and find answers to these and other questions related to foreign policy decision-making. To do so, we will engage with some of the most innovative contributions to the field of Foreign Policy Analysis. This includes scholarship on the rational actor model, the role of political leaders and their advisers, the workings of state bureaucracies, the implications of culture, gender and sex, as well as the influences of cognitive biases and emotions, among other things. We will discuss and evaluate their arguments in combination with some key case studies of foreign policy decision-making across time and space.

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

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