Lehrangebot

This course analyzes how politics influence banks and stock markets and how banks and stock markets influence politics. Investigating these interactions is important as it has implications for wealth and economic growth - but also whether politicians listen to money or voters. In this course, we study the conditions under which politicians should use taxpayer money to bail out banks. We analyze which banking regulations can ensure your money is safe and how crises like the 2008 Recession affected regulations. We analyze how elections and political movements like the Arab Spring affect share prices. We examine how regulation might move firms from maximizing short-term shareholder value to long-term sustainability.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue - 2370.

This course examines how politics shape Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and how FDI shapes politics. Understanding this interplay is important as it has implications for jobs and technological innovation - but also democracy and inequality. In this course, we analyze how politics influence the process of screening FDI in sensitive sectors. We examine how politics shapes firms’ investment decisions. We explore the effect of FDI on voters, workers, and domestic companies. We evaluate when foreign companies can undermine domestic laws via investment arbitration disputes. We study whether governments competing for FDI results in weakened labor protection laws.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue - 2371.

Why do some countries impose legal limits on public debt while others borrow freely? Why do some governments choose to default on their loans, while others implement harsh austerity measures to repay them? How do powerful lenders like China and the United States use debt to exert political influence over other countries?

This course seeks to answer such questions by analyzing the political causes and consequences of sovereign debt.

Specifically, this course examines the interplay of how politics shapes national debt policies and how debt, in turn, affects domestic and international politics.

In our discussions, we will explore the role of key international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, and examine how the global financial system distributes power, promotes or restricts development, and influences national sovereignty.

You can find more information about this course - 1973.

Why do some countries favor protectionist trade policies while others embrace free trade? Why does trade reshape domestic job markets and fuel economic inequality? Why do tariffs often benefit high-emission industries, and what does this mean for global climate goals?

This course seeks to answer such questions by analyzing the political dynamics of international trade.

Specifically, this course examines the interplay of how politics affects trade and how trade, in turn, shapes politics.

Throughout our discussions, we will explore how citizens, corporations, politicians, and international organizations influence trade policy. We will also examine how global trade intersects with key sustainable development issues, including inequality, inclusive economic growth, and climate change.

You can find more information about this course - 1974.

This course offers an introduction to qualitative research methods, focusing on their scientific and systematic approaches to understanding the complexities of human behavior, motivations, and social contexts. Unlike quantitative methods, which emphasize numerical data and patterns, qualitative methods are uniquely suited to explore questions that resist simple quantification—questions about the processes, experiences, and dynamics that shape individual and group behavior.

The course introduces key qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, observational studies, and content and discourse analysis. Through case-based analysis, students will examine how qualitative methods can be used to both test existing theories as well as generate new ones from the ground up. 

The course also examines the complementary strengths of qualitative and quantitative research, enabling students to evaluate when and why each approach is most appropriate.  Ultimately, this course equips students with the tools to conduct meaningful qualitative research that contributes to better science. Whether in academic, policy, or applied settings, students will develop an appreciation for how qualitative methods address some of the most important questions in social science.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue – 1971, 1972, 2329.

This course analyzes how politics influence banks and stock markets and how banks and stock markets influence politics. Investigating these interactions is important as it has implications for wealth and economic growth - but also whether politicians listen to money or voters. In this course, we study the conditions under which politicians should use taxpayer money to bail out banks. We analyze which banking regulations can ensure your money is safe and how crises like the 2008 Recession affected regulations. We analyze how elections and political movements like the Arab Spring affect share prices. We examine how regulation might move firms from maximizing short-term shareholder value to long-term sustainability.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue - 5827.

This course examines how politics shape Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) and how FDI shapes politics. Understanding this interplay is important as it has implications for jobs and technological innovation - but also democracy and inequality. In this course, we analyze how politics influence the process of screening FDI in sensitive sectors. We examine how politics shapes firms’ investment decisions. We explore the effect of FDI on voters, workers, and domestic companies. We evaluate when foreign companies can undermine domestic laws via investment arbitration disputes. We study whether governments competing for FDI results in weakened labor protection laws.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue - 5828.

This course offers an introduction to qualitative research methods, focusing on their scientific and systematic approaches to understanding the complexities of human behavior, motivations, and social contexts. Unlike quantitative methods, which emphasize numerical data and patterns, qualitative methods are uniquely suited to explore questions that resist simple quantification—questions about the processes, experiences, and dynamics that shape individual and group behavior.

The course introduces key qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, observational studies, and content and discourse analysis. Through case-based analysis, students will examine how qualitative methods can be used to both test existing theories as well as generate new ones from the ground up. 

The course also examines the complementary strengths of qualitative and quantitative research, enabling students to evaluate when and why each approach is most appropriate.  Ultimately, this course equips students with the tools to conduct meaningful qualitative research that contributes to better science. Whether in academic, policy, or applied settings, students will develop an appreciation for how qualitative methods address some of the most important questions in social science.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue – 5855, 5856, 6271.

Why do some countries favor protectionist trade policies while others embrace free trade? Why does trade reshape domestic job markets and fuel economic inequality? Why do tariffs often benefit high-emission industries, and what does this mean for global climate goals?

This course seeks to answer such questions by analyzing the political dynamics of international trade.

Specifically, this course examines the interplay of how politics affects trade and how trade, in turn, shapes politics.

Throughout our discussions, we will explore how citizens, corporations, politicians, and international organizations influence trade policy. We will also examine how global trade intersects with key sustainable development issues, including inequality, inclusive economic growth, and climate change.

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

Why do some countries impose legal limits on public debt while others borrow freely? Why do some governments choose to default on their loans, while others implement harsh austerity measures to repay them? How do powerful lenders like China and the United States use debt to exert political influence over other countries?

This course seeks to answer such questions by analyzing the political causes and consequences of sovereign debt.

Specifically, this course examines the interplay of how politics shapes national debt policies and how debt, in turn, affects domestic and international politics.

In our discussions, we will explore the role of key international financial institutions such as the IMF and World Bank, and examine how the global financial system distributes power, promotes or restricts development, and influences national sovereignty.

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

This course offers an introduction to qualitative research methods, focusing on their scientific and systematic approaches to understanding the complexities of human behavior, motivations, and social contexts. Unlike quantitative methods, which emphasize numerical data and patterns, qualitative methods are uniquely suited to explore questions that resist simple quantification—questions about the processes, experiences, and dynamics that shape individual and group behavior.

The course introduces key qualitative methods, including interviews, focus groups, observational studies, and content and discourse analysis. Through case-based analysis, students will examine how qualitative methods can be used to both test existing theories as well as generate new ones from the ground up. 

The course also examines the complementary strengths of qualitative and quantitative research, enabling students to evaluate when and why each approach is most appropriate.  Ultimately, this course equips students with the tools to conduct meaningful qualitative research that contributes to better science. Whether in academic, policy, or applied settings, students will develop an appreciation for how qualitative methods address some of the most important questions in social science.

You can find more information about this course in the course catalogue - 2462 & 2463.

Der Planpunkt "Moderne Gesellschaften I" wird im Wintersemester 2025 zum letzten Mal angeboten.

Warum verwenden einige Regierungen Steuergelder zur Rettung privater Banken, während andere dies nicht tun? Welche Dimensionen politischer und gesellschaftlicher Zusammenhänge müssen für eine erfolgreiche Unternehmensführung berücksichtigt werden?

Wer Strategien entwickelt, braucht ein politisches Grundverständnis, um die zukünftige Entwicklung des unternehmerischen Umfelds einschätzen zu können. Dieses Grundverständnis ergibt sich aus der Auseinandersetzung mit den relevanten Fragen in Zeiten von Polarisierung und Globalisierung: Was hält eine Gesellschaft zusammen? Warum gibt es Ungleichheit innerhalb einer Bevölkerung? Wessen Präferenzen werden von der Politik berücksichtigt?

In diesem Kurs lernen Sie grundlegende politische und gesellschaftliche Dynamiken und Akteur*innen kennen und entwickeln ein Verständnis dafür, wie diese die Sozial- und Wirtschaftspolitik prägen. In diesem Zusammenhang werden wir die Rolle von Institutionen, Interessengruppen und Politiker*innen, aber auch von Normen, Kultur und Macht analysieren. Der Kurs richtet sich an Studierende, die Wirtschaft und Politik miteinander verbinden wollen.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass die Kurse I und II inhaltlich miteinander verbunden sind. Kurs I bietet eine Einführung in die verschiedenen Erklärungsansätze, Kurs II bietet die Möglichkeit, diese Erklärungsansätze auf spezifische Politikfelder anzuwenden.

Nähere Informationen zu dieser Lehrveranstaltung finden Sie im Vorlesungsverzeichnis.

Der Planpunkt "Moderne Gesellschaften II" wird im Wintersemester 2025 zum letzten Mal angeboten.

Es ist wohl für alle Menschen in den USA, in Schweden und in Österreich wichtig, gesund zu sein, aber die Gesundheitssysteme in diesen Ländern unterscheiden sich erheblich. Das gleiche gilt für den Arbeitsmarkt ("Arbeitsplatzsicherheit für ehrliche Arbeitnehmer*innen vs. Hire and Fire zur Steigerung der Innovationskraft?"), die Regulierung des Finanzsektors ("Steuergelder für reiche Banker*innen vs. Systemrelevanz der Banken?") oder eben das Gesundheitssystem ("Kostenlose Behandlung für alle vs. Privatversicherungssystem?"). Wie lassen sich diese Unterschiede erklären? Um die Rolle als Teilnehmer*in an einer demokratischen Gesellschaft zu verstehen - sei es als Entscheidungsträger*in, Wähler*in oder Steuerzahler*in - muss man die Kräfte und Dynamiken verstehen, die diese Unterschiede erklären. In diesem Kurs werden Sie analysieren, wie Regierungen Politik machen und warum verschiedene Länder unterschiedliche Lösungen für gesellschaftliche Probleme finden.

In diesem Zusammenhang werden wir verschiedene Politikbereiche untersuchen, die für den gesellschaftlichen Zusammenhalt wichtig sind, wie etwa die Arbeitsmarktpolitik, die Regulierung des Finanzsektors oder die Gesundheitspolitik. Der Kurs richtet sich an Studierende, die eine Verbindung zwischen Wirtschaft und Politik herstellen wollen.

Bitte beachten Sie, dass die Kurse I und II inhaltlich miteinander verbunden sind. Kurs I bietet eine Einführung in verschiedene Erklärungsansätze, während Kurs II die Möglichkeit bietet, diese Erklärungsansätze in spezifischen Politikbereichen anzuwenden.

Nähere Informationen zu dieser Lehrveranstaltung finden Sie im Vorlesungsverzeichnis.