Sustainable Economics and Business II - Sustainable International Development

What explains the range of economic development outcomes across countries? What is driving rising inequality within many developed and middle-income countries such as the U.S., China, and India?

This course seeks to answer these questions by examining concepts, theories, policies, practices, and global transformations in international development, from both historical and contemporary lenses.

Specifically, the course examines the interplay of how politics affects development and how development shapes politics.

During our discussion, students will explore different perspectives on the core challenges and proposed solutions to alleviating poverty and engendering sustainable development. The course will also pay close attention to the social and ecological implications of different development trajectories.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

Why are some countries wealthier than others? Why are some countries democratic while others are authoritarian? Why do some democracies redistribute more than others? How do the forces of globalization shape national (and subnational) politics and policymaking? Why do certain policies designed to promote political or economic development succeed when others fail?

This course addresses these questions by applying key theories and concepts in comparative and international political economy to real-world country cases. Specifically, the course examines the interplay between politics and economics, exploring its effects at the local, national, and global level. In line with the ethos of the Master’s in Socioeconomics program, we will endeavor to design feasible policy solutions to complex problems in particular contexts.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

This might be the most important course you take during your college career. If you want to change the world, you will need to learn how to communicate messages accurately, correctly, and persuasively. However, how do we change the dominant narrative on a particular issue? How can we convince someone to change their opinion? How can societal organizations ensure that their voices are heard?

To answer the questions above, this course offers an introduction to the techniques and types of non-academic writing (In contrast to "IRWCPC I," which focuses on academic writing). We will first discuss under what conditions we can change narratives or convince others, and subsequently examine how specific types of non-academic writing can help us accomplish the task. Specifically, you will be introduced to different kinds of memos and public relations communications, as well as several types of official reports. Importantly, communicators in the public realm must focus on purpose, audience, and style - foci that are different than typical academic writing that students may be familiar with. This course will help you develop a thorough awareness of the intended audiences and the necessary elements of effective communication with that audience. In addition, we will encourage thoughtful document design to facilitate comprehension, readability, and usability.

For more information about the course, see the course catalog: For Course 5489 and for Course 5490.

"Sustainable Economics: Deepening and Application (ZuWi Vertiefung und Anwendung)" builds on the content of the StEOP course "VWL & ZuWi" and deepens the skills and competences acquired therein.

The course consists of a lecture part and an exercise part. This allows students to specialise in the "Common Body of Knowledge" (CBK) based on their personal interests.

In the three lecture units, students learn tools and concepts to better understand the decision-making processes and interactions of the three groups of actors:

• How do companies make decisions? How do they balance environmental and economic goals in supply chains and production? We examine to what extent companies take workers' and environmental interests into account and how social networks, political context and organisational cultures shape corporate behaviour.

• How do citizens make decisions? Are they more than just consumers or the "L" in a production function? Individuals' preferences are not fixed or externally predetermined, but rather shaped by their social environment. Consequently, we analyse how individuals form political identities, participate in social movements and take part in democratic processes.

• How do state actors make decisions? How do the economy and the environment affect the electoral chances of political parties? We explore the dynamic interplay of politicians with citizens and businesses in shaping regulations and laws, taking into account existing political institutions, geopolitical tensions and politicians' ideologies.

Further information on the lecture and the exercise sections can be found in the course catalogue:

• 5995 (Haas): Labour and working hours from a social, economic and ecological perspective

• 5996/6047 (Ware): Sustainable City

• 5997/6000 (Peer): Sustainable Mobility

• 5998/6001 (Kolcava): The Political Economy of International Trade and Supply Chains

• 5999/6004 (Litschauer): The Housing Crisis from a Social, Economic, and Political Perspective

• 6002 (Golboyz): Digitalisation and social policy

• 6003/6046 (Scholz-Wäckerle): Political economy of sustainability

Detailed information on the new course series can also be found on our information page Sustainable Economics (ZuWi): Deepening and Application.

Modern Societies I: Genesis, Dynamics, Cybernetics

Why do some governments use taxpayers' money to bail out private banks, while others do not? Which dimensions of political and social contexts need to be taken into account for successful corporate management? Anyone developing strategies needs a basic political understanding in order to be able to assess the future development of the business environment. This basic understanding arises from an examination of the relevant questions in times of polarisation and globalisation: What holds a society together? Why is there inequality within the population? Whose preferences are taken into account by politicians?

In this course, you will learn about fundamental political and social dynamics and actors and develop an understanding of how they shape social and economic policy. In this context, we will analyse the role of institutions, interest groups and politicians, but also norms, culture and power. The course is aimed at students who want to combine economics with politics. Please note that courses I and II are linked in terms of content. Course I provides an introduction to the different explanatory approaches, course II offers the opportunity to apply these explanatory approaches to specific policy fields.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

Modern Societies II: Functions, Performances, Problems

It is likely important for all people in the USA, Sweden, and Austria to be healthy, but the healthcare systems in these countries differ significantly. The same applies to the job market ("Job security for honest workers vs. Hire and Fire for innovation strength?"), the regulation of the financial sector ("Tax money for rich bankers vs. Systemic relevance of banks?"), or the healthcare system ("Free treatment for all vs. Private insurance system?"). What explains these differences? To understand the role as a participant in a democratic society - whether as a decision-maker, voter, or taxpayer - one needs an understanding of the forces and dynamics that explain these differences. In this course, you will analyze how governments make policies and why countries find different solutions to societal problems.

In this context, we will examine several policy areas that are essential for societal cohesion, such as labor market policy, regulation of the financial sector, or healthcare policy. The course is aimed at students who want to connect economics with politics. Please note that Courses I and II are connected in content. Course I provides an introduction to different explanatory approaches, while Course II offers the opportunity to apply these explanatory approaches in specific policy areas.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

Sustainable Economics and Business II - Trade, Politics, and Sustainability

Why do some countries favor protectionist trade policies while others embrace free trade? Why are some industries heavily subsidized by governments to compete in international markets while others are not? Why does trade impact domestic job markets and economic inequality within countries?

This course seeks to answer such questions by analyzing the interplay of how politics affects trade and how trade shapes politics. Specifically, we will investigate how citizens, corporations, politicians, and international organizations shape trade policies and how trade influences sustainable development issues such as inequality, inclusive economic growth, and climate change. 

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

Sustainable Economics and Business II - FDI and Development

Why do some countries receive more foreign direct investment (FDI) than others? Why do workers in some countries welcome foreign investors with open arms, while in others protests break out? Why does FDI sometimes have positive effects on economic development, while it appears exploitative in other contexts?

This course seeks to answer such questions by analysing both the causes for FDI flows as well as their economic, political and social consequences. In particular, students examine how politics shapes FDI and how these investments, in turn, affect politics. In the course of addressing these issues, students will also look at larger issues of sustainable development, such as foreign investment and inequality, multinational corporations and food security, and power relations between corporations and workers.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

Modern Societies I: Genesis, Dynamics, Cybernetics

Why do some governments use taxpayers' money to bail out private banks, but others do not? Which dimensions of political and social contexts need to be taken into account for successful business management? Those who develop strategies need a basic political understanding in order to be able to assess the future development of the business environment. This basic understanding comes from addressing the relevant questions in times of polarisation and globalisation: What holds a society together? Why does inequality exist within the population? Whose preferences are taken into account by politicians?

In this course, students will learn about basic political and social dynamics and actors and develop an understanding of how they shape social and economic policy. In this context, they will analyse, among other things, the role of institutions, interest groups and politicians, but also norms, culture and power.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

Modern Societies II: Functions, Performances, Problems

It may well be that everyone in the USA, Sweden and Austria cares about being healthy - but the healthcare systems in these countries differ greatly ("Free treatment for all vs. private insurance system?"). The same applies to the labour market ("Job security for honest workers vs. 'hire and fire' to strengthen innovation?") or the regulation of the financial sector ("Tax money for rich bankers vs. systemic relevance of banks?"). What explains these differences? Understanding one's role as a participant in a democratic society - be it as a decision-maker, voter or taxpayer - requires an understanding of the forces and dynamics that explain these differences.

In this course, students analyse how governments make policies and why countries find different solutions to societal problems. In this context, several policy fields that are essential for social cohesion are examined, such as labour market policy, financial sector regulation or health policy.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

"Alternative facts", "Fake news". Derogatory labels like these are meant to call into question the validity of one’s empirical evidence or the interpretation one attaches to that evidence, or both. These labels entered the popular discourse with Trump and other populists, and are thus tools wielded to discredit political opponents. However, scientists have contemplated the logic and empirical methods of their disciplines at least as far back as the 17th century when Descartes proposed that “I think, therefore I am.”

This course provides an overview of philosophical questions concerning how we can know what we know (or don’t know) as they apply to the field of political science, economics, and business.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.

Sustainable Economics and Business II - Regulating Finance and Sustainable Development

Why do some governments bail out banks in a crisis while others do not? Why do politicians face incentives to promote the stock market, and what are the consequences for taxation and funding the SDGs? Why might Financial Technologies (FinTech) increase financial inclusion and reduce economic inequality?

This course seeks to answer such questions by analyzing three issue areas: Banks, Stock Markets, and FinTech.

In particular, students in this course examine how politics affects finance and how finance shapes politics. In the course of addressing these issues, students also look at larger issues of sustainable development, such as how financial development affects inequality and inclusive economic growth, and how government regulation affects fairness and innovation.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalog.