Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Concepts of Political Science
Lecture (2) or seminar (2)
Basic concepts of political science; origin and development of the
discipline and its relation to the evolution of governments, politics and civil
society; internal structure of the discipline in its most important sections
and subfields; relation of political science to other disciplines; basic
paradigms and controversies in political science; theoretical and
methodological approaches to research in political science
Knowledge of basic political concepts and understanding of their meaning
in politics and political science; ability to analyse and evaluate political
institutions, actors and policies and their interrelations with civil society
and cultural context
Overview of basic concepts and structure of political science; awareness of
the historical context which shapes and influences the discipline; ability to
interpret and work with different concepts of political science
Ability to interpret, clarify and use political concepts; knowledge of
different qualitative and quantitative methods to analyse and evaluate
political institutions, actors and policies
Ability to interpret and use basic political concepts, methods and results of
empirical studies so that others can understand one's reasoning, ability to
critically evaluate political studies and defend one's judgement in case of
doubt and controversy
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
discussion, moderation, evaluation, minute taking), self-study (literary
research, reading, concept clarification, paper writing), possibly tutorials
(group work, assigned tasks, discussion)
Combined academic work or academic paper
5
one semester; frequency winter term
International Law
1 lecture or 1 seminar (2 SWS)
This module focuses on the overview of the protection of human rights
within the legal system of Germany and the European Union. After a brief
analysis of the history of human rights protection in the EU and Germany,
the course will focus on the interaction of the EU law in this field with
national legal systems (i.e. Germany) and the European Convention on
Human Rights. In this context, as well as substantively, the EU Charter of
Fundamental Rights will be discussed. Furthermore, we will analyze the
status of the individual in the European Union, in particular the institution
of the EU citizenship and third-country nationals residing in the EU, as well
as scope of their rights. Analysis will be based on the jurisprudence of the
European Court of Justice and also on the cases of the German Federal
Constitutional Court (BVerfG) as a national court. The second part of the
course will be devoted to activities undertaken by Germany in order to
promote human rights' protection. The doctrines of general constitutional
rights and namely different protection functions are dealt with, as well as
single constitutional rights and their coverage through the constitutional
complaint procedure at the BVerfG. The special emphasis will be put on the
scope and impact of specific human rights relevant for the economy as
profession, property, residence etc.
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Aims
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Students with no background in public law will understand human rights
concepts, comparing different constitutions, reasoning about international
human rights conventions.
The broad objective of the course is to provide students with knowledge,
skills, and sensitivities that will help them to be more effective managers
in the Human rights environment. More specific objectives are to develop
an understanding of the theoretical basics and the practical relevance of
human rights. The module will provide the students with an understanding
of the contemporary content of a select set of rights. This module should
enable the students to address competently many contemporary national
and international problems from the standpoint of human rights law.
The course will aim to provide students with the knowledge, skills and
sensitivities needed to be effective managers in the European and German
Human rights.
The course will be conducted as a combination of lectures and discussions
of the reading material and cases. The expectation is that both the
professor and students are interested and committed to learning about
legal issues as related to human rights. Participation is encouraged and
discussion questions will be provided to assist in stimulating participation.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, minute
taking, case study solving, discussion), self- study (literary research,
reading, case study solving, paper writing), possibly tutorials (group work,
assigned tasks, case study solving, discussion)
Written exam or combined academic work
5
1 semester; winter term
Module title
Macroeconomics
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Lecture (2) or Seminar (2)
Foundations of macroeconomic analysis. Topics include: system of national
accounting, macroeconomic theory of production, theory of aggregate
supply, theory of aggregate demand, principles of monetary theory, outline
of a model of macroeconomic equilibrium
Students with no background in economics will understand macroeconomic
concepts, reasoning and model-building.
Knowledge of basic outlines and concepts for a proper understanding of
macroeconomic theory.
Knowledge of basic quantitative tools of macroeconomic analysis.
Students should learn how to solve elementary macroeconomic problems
within assignments and presentations.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
minute taking, application of methods, assigned tasks, discussion), selfstudy (literary research, reading, practical application of methods),
possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks, practical application of
methods)
Written exam (60 minutes)
5
one semester; winter term
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Microeconomics
Lecture (2) or Seminar (2)
Foundations of microeconomic analysis with a focus on the government and
private non-profit sectors. Topics include consumer theory and public
goods, including market failure and public choice; production theory and
public administration, including market structure in government and nonprofit industries; input markets and cost-benefit analysis
Students with no background in economics should learn to "think like an
economist" and to apply the methods and instruments of microeconomics to
real world situations with a focus on the government and non-profit sectors.
The basic tools learned in this course will be applied in other courses that
deal with special topics in economics
Students should learn the tools of microeconomic analysis and how to apply
these tools to discuss real world phenomena
Students should practice the economic way of thinking and presenting the
results of their investigations in class
Students should learn how to solve problems effectively and in time, alone
and in teams
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
discussion, minute taking, application of methods, assigned tasks), selfstudy (literary research, reading, practical application of methods), possibly
tutorials (group work, assigned tasks, practical application of methods)
Written exam (60 minutes) or academic paper
5
1 semester; winter term
Government and Politics
Lecture (2) or seminar (2)
Institutional structures and functions of political systems; government and
political processes at the national, regional and local level; types of
government; executive, legislative and judicial branches of modern political
systems; constitution, citizenship and political culture; political parties,
interest groups and social movements, political participation, deliberation
and decision-making; public policies and modes of governance; relation of
government and administration; nation states and international relations
Knowledge of political systems, their institutional structure, function and
development; ability to understand and account for the role of actors and
their behaviour in different institutional settings; ability to analyse and
evaluate political institutions and processes, actors and policies and their
interrelations with civil society and cultural context
Overview of different systems of government; awareness of the historical
context which shapes and influences the development of a nation state;
ability to classify and compare different political systems
Ability to analyse political systems from different perspectives; knowledge
of different qualitative and quantitative methods of comparative politics
Ability to analyse systems of government and politics so that others can
understand one's reasoning, ability to critically evaluate different political
systems, institutions of government and political processes and defend
one's judgement in case of doubt and controversy
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
discussion, moderation, evaluation, minute taking), self-study (literary
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
research, reading, concept clarification, paper writing), possibly tutorials
(group work, assigned tasks, discussion)
Academic paper or combined academic work
5
one semester; winter term
Methods of Public Economics, Law and Politics I
Lecture (2) or Seminar (2); possibly additional tutorials
Subject of this course are the fundamental methods of mathematical as
well as empirical analysis that are used for the quantitative analysis of
models in the field of public economics, law and politics.
The students become familiar with the methods of analytical as well as
quantitative empirical research which are used in the field of public
economics, law and politics.
The students learn how quantitative methods can be used address specific
questions that arise in the field of public economics, law and politics
quantitatively and how empirical methods can be used to discriminate
between competing theoretical models.
The students are able to assess the applicability of alternative empirical
and quantitative models to specific problems and become familiar with
limitations of this kind of analysis.
The students are able to interpret results of quantitative and empirical
research and to criticize this research on the basis of a sound knowledge of
empirical and analytical methods.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
assigned tasks, discussion, moderation, evaluation, minute taking), selfstudy (literary research, reading, concept clarification, practical application
of methods, paper writing), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks,
practical application of methods, discussion)
Written exam (60 minutes) or combined academic work
5
one semester; winter term
Methods of Public Economics, Law and Politics II
Lecture (2) or Seminar (2); possibly additional tutorials
Theoretical and methodological fundamentals of public economics, law and
political science with a focus on qualitative and interpretive methods in
political and legal studies; basic methodological concepts and approaches
for the analysis and interpretation of state activities and its interaction with
the economic and legal realm; basic methodological paradigms and
controversies in the field of interpretive research in public economics, law
and political science; different methods of interpreting and applying legal
principles and rules; comparative legal approaches; different methods of
qualitative and interpretive empirical research such as case studies,
qualitative comparative analysis, discourse analysis, argumentation
analysis, narrative interviews
Knowledge about basic theoretical approaches, methodological designs and
methods of qualitative and interpretive empirical research in the field of
public economics, law and politics; ability to analyse and evaluate activities
of the state and its interrelations with markets and civil society within
different cultural contexts in a methodologically sound way
Overview of basic theoretical and methodological concepts, research
questions and approaches within the field of public economics, law and
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
politics; knowledge of the requirements and conditions as well as the
prospects and limits of selected qualitative and interpretive methods and
research designs
Ability to reconstruct and interpret methodological designs and research
findings in the field of public economics, law and politics; ability to
critically evaluate research designs and findings according to reasonable
methodological standards and criteria; ability to develop own empirical
research designs and to use particular methods for the analysis and
evaluation of state actions and interactions; knowledge about the limits
and potentials of qualitative and interpretive research methods
Ability to reconstruct, interpret and present empirical research designs,
methods and the results of empirical studies in a comprehensible way;
ability to develop, assess and reflect methodological judgements and
defend one's positions against critique; ability to critically reflect on one's
basic methodological assumptions and use of methods
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
assigned tasks, discussion, moderation, evaluation, minute taking), selfstudy (literary research, reading, concept clarification, practical application
of methods, paper writing), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks,
practical application of methods, discussion)
Academic paper or combined academic work
5
one semester; summer term
Applications and Cases in International Development I
Lecture (2) or seminar (2)
Subject of this course is to illustrate the application of concepts and
techniques learned in other courses of the programme and to introduce the
variety of issues and challenges facing low- and middle-income countries.
Case studies and seminar topics include such diverse issues (distributed
over the two consecutive courses Applications and Cases in International
Development I & II) as economic growth, governance problems, management
of financial crises, microfinance, education, child labour, trade policy,
pension reform, managing common property resources, and the design of
decentralization as well as democratic institutions.
Students deepen their understanding of the economic, institutional and
policy analytic concepts presented in other courses of the programme
through discussion of specific cases in which these concepts were
important.
Students become familiar with contemporary debates on topics from the
field of economic development.
Students learn how to apply already learned concepts to policy issues from
the field of international development.
Students are able to frame, analyse and write about policy issues form the
field of international development.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, discussion,
minute taking), self-study (literary research, reading, practical application
of methods), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks)
Written exam (60 minutes) or combined academic work
5
one semester; summer term
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Applications and Cases in International Development II
Lecture (2) or seminar (2)
Subject of this course is to illustrate the application of concepts and
techniques learned in other courses of the programme and to introduce the
variety of issues and challenges facing low- and middle-income countries.
Case studies and seminar topics include such diverse issues (continuing the
course Applications and Cases in International Development I) as economic
growth, governance problems, management of financial crises, microfinance,
education, child labour, trade policy, pension reform, managing common
property resources, and the design of decentralization as well as democratic
institutions.
Students deepen their understanding of the economic, institutional and
policy analytic concepts presented in other courses of the programme
through discussion of specific cases in which these concepts were important.
Students become familiar with contemporary debates on topics from the field
of economic development.
Students learn how to apply already learned concepts to policy issues from
the field of international development.
Students are able to frame, analyse and write about policy issues form the
field of international development.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, discussion,
minute taking), self-study (literary research, reading, practical application of
methods), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks)
Written exam (60 minutes) or combined academic work
5
one semester; winter term
Economic Development. Theory, Policy and Evidence
Integrated Lecture (2)
Subject of this course are principles and concepts of economics that are
particularly relevant for understanding of development problems. The major
set of problems discussed are poverty, inequality, unemployment, population
growth and environmental decay. The focus is also on development policies
and selected case studies highlighting specific economic features of
important developing countries.
Students learn to apply economic methods of the field of development
economics and learn about the specific economic problems of developing
countries.
Students become familiar with economic explanations for underdevelopment
and possible policies that might support economic development.
Students learn how to use economic methods to evaluate the causes of
underdevelopment and the consequences of development policies.
Students are able to assess and criticize development policies based on a
sound knowledge of economic concepts as well as knowledge about economic
features of important developing countries.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, discussion,
minute taking), self-study (literary research, reading, practical application of
methods), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks)
Written exam (60 minutes) or combined academic work
5
one semester; winter term
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Theories and Methods of Comparative Political Science
Lecture (2) or seminar (2)
This course has two main blocs, the first methodological, the second
conceptual/theoretical. The first part deals with the main tenets of social
science methodology, including hypothesis-formation, conceptualization,
operationalization, the comparative method and general research design. The
second half profiles three key approaches to comparative politics that have
emerged over the last 30 years: rational choice, institutionalism and culture.
Knowledge of basic methodological concepts and an understanding of their
meaning in politics and political science; familiarity with the main
theoretical approaches in comparative politics and an ability to compare and
synthesize theoretical approaches in comparative politics
Overview of basic concepts and structure of comparative politics; awareness
of the historical context which shapes and influences the sub-discipline;
ability to interpret and work with different concepts of social science
methodology and comparative politics
To be able to understand and employ the key tenets of social science
methodology, including concept formation, hypothesis building, comparative
method and research design
An ability to interpret and use basic concepts, methods and results of
comparative politics so that others can understand one's reasoning, ability
to critically evaluate political studies and defend one's judgement in case of
doubt and controversy
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
discussion, moderation, evaluation, minute taking), self-study (literary
research, reading, concept clarification, practical application of methods,
paper writing), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks, practical
application of methods, discussion)
Oral presentation or academic paper
5
One semester, winter term
European Law
Seminar (2)
Europe is more than the European Community (EC), but the EC and following
the European Union (EU) are communities of states, which have special legal,
economic and sociological value on the European continent. The member
states of EC/EU transposed parts of their sovereignty on a higher level.
Legally European Community law has to be distinguished from "traditional"
international law and has reached an own character. For this reason, the
course focuses on EC-Law (without omitting important facts of other
institutions). In a first step the (historical) development of European
integration will be described. Afterwards the course highlights four topics:
1. Legal sources of European law and their position in comparison to national
law; how does European law influence national law and realize legal
integration?
2. The institutions (Commission, ECJ, EP, Council etc.) and their competences
3. The fundamental freedoms
4. Competition law/consumer protection
In this context students will gain deeper knowledge of the jurisdiction of the
European Court of Justice (ECJ). Beside these legal particularities and facts
students shall evaluate the process of integration. Does e.g. EC/EU observe
the principles of subsidiarity and proportionality sufficiently?
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Competences in European Law
The aim of the course is to qualify the participants to be able to classify and
solve European legal problems. Main pillars of the course are European
constitutional law and European economic law; English legal terminology
Within the first lectures of the course the students will be taught the main
legal facts and rules of European law in an abstract way in order to get a
certain level of knowledge which will prepare them for the following parts.
The course also gives links to other courses (constitutional law, human rights
etc.). After these first units the students shall be trained in solving cases. For
this aim the course analyses the leading cases (case law) of the ECJ in order
to find main principles. Students get to know that case law is an important
and special legal source within European law. With both parts (theory and
leading case law) it shall be possible to solve unknown or new problems.
Students will learn to work in groups (e.g. for presentations) and organise
parts of the lecture independently (e.g. leading discussions). The skills for
such parts are a capacity to deal with problems in the field of European Law,
the ability for teamwork, the capability of bearing critics, tolerance for
different opinions, self-organising of events/presentations
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, minute
taking, case study solving, assigned tasks, discussion), self-study (literary
research, reading, case study solving, paper writing), possibly tutorials
(group work, assigned tasks, case study solving, discussion)
Written exam (60 minutes) or combined academic work
5
one semester; winter term
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Public Economics I: Public Finance and Public Policy
Lecture (2) or Seminar (2)
Subject of this module is the broad field of governmental interventions into
market systems. Students learn about standard economic justifications for
such interventions (allocative inefficiencies, stabilization goals, distributive
justice) and the main areas of economic policy (government finance, tax
policy, fiscal policy and monetary policy). The goals of economic policy in
these subfields are discussed just as available tools to achieve these goals.
Students learn to apply economic methods to problems in the field of public
policy.
Students become familiar with standard arguments used to justify
governmental interventions and the specific problems economic policy faces
in its main subfields.
Students learn how to use economic methods to evaluate the consequences
of governmental interventions for economic outcomes and welfare.
Students are able to assess and criticize policy proposals discussed in the
public from an economic viewpoint.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
discussion, minute taking, application of methods, assigned tasks,
discussion), self-study (literary research, reading, practical application of
methods), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks, practical
application of methods)
Combined academic work
5
one semester; winter term
Module title
Public Economics II: International Economics and Trade Policy
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Master program Public Economics, Law and Politics – Modules taught in English
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Module title
Components (class contact hours)
Contents
Aims
Professional competence
Methodological competence
Personal competence
Teaching methods
Assessment
ECTS credits
Duration and frequency
Lecture (2) or Seminar (2)
This course starts with a discussion on the gains of the international division
of labour. Reasons and consequences of various forms of policy interventions
in international trade (tariffs, quotas, subsidies etc.) will be analysed. The
theoretical models apply the microeconomic tools for the analysis of goods
markets and the empirical studies discussed use regression analysis.
Furthermore, the World Trade Organization and its role for shaping the
international economic order is dealt with.
Students learn to apply economic methods on problems from the field of
international economics and trade.
Students learn how to use economic methods to evaluate the consequences
of governmental interventions into the international division of labour for
economic outcomes and welfare.
Students become familiar with standard arguments used to justify
governmental interventions into the international division of labour, specific
forms of governmental interventions and actual problems in trade policy.
Students are able to assess and criticize policy proposals discussed in the
public from an economic viewpoint.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
discussion, minute taking, application of methods, assigned tasks,
discussion), self-study (literary research, reading, practical application of
methods), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks, practical
application of methods)
Written exam (60 minutes) or academic paper
5
one semester; summer term
Public Economics III: Labour Market and Social Policy
Lecture (2) or seminar (2)
Theoretical foundations of the labour market and social policy (reasons for
policy interventions, different forms, effects). Redistribution, taxation, and
social security insurance. Economic analysis of specific labour market
policies such as unemployment benefits, retirement, minimum wages, unions
and works councils. Economic analysis of specific social policies such as
health insurance, education, and family. Micro-econometric policy
evaluation. Cross-country comparison of labour market and social policy.
Students learn to apply economic methods to problems from the field of
labour market and social policy.
Students become familiar with the economic tools used in the analysis of
labour markets and the effects of specific labour market policies.
Students learn how to use economic methods to evaluate the consequences
of various social policies.
Students are able to asses and criticize policy proposals discussed in the
public from an economic viewpoint.
Lecture (preparation, review, notetaking), seminar (presentation, handout,
discussion, minute taking, application of methods, assigned tasks,
discussion), self-study (literary research, reading, practical application of
methods), possibly tutorials (group work, assigned tasks, practical
application of methods)
Written exam (60 minutes) or combined academic work
5
one semester; winter term