Die Veranstaltung findet in Online statt. Sie findet auf Englisch statt.

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

In this seminar, you will learn how to model situations of potential conflict, in which the outcome does not just depend on an individual's decision, but on the actions of others as well. The main goal of this course is to convey methodological knowledge for the game-theoretic analysis of strategic interactions. For this pupose, we will study abstract games as well as important applications in political science. More detailed course information will be made available on Stud.I

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

This class deals with the increasingly salient power struggle between the United States and China, with particular reference to the Pacific. The People’s Republic of China challenges the long-held US strategic hegemony in East Asia and the Pacific by way of diplomacy, military posturing and economic investment. Taking a state-centric perspective, this class helps us to better understand the interests, capabilities and strategies employed by China and the U.S. The first part of the class deals with the history and more recent macro-developments in the relationship between these two competing great powers. In the second part of the class, we will focus on specific case studies that help us understand the larger developments. These include conflicts over small islets in the South China Sea, the cross-straits relations (Taiwan), the US system of military alliances in the region, and the rivalry for support by small island states throughout the Pacific.

Die Veranstaltung findet onlinestatt.

This class focusses on the non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and their activities in world politics. After we engage in some definitional work, we discuss the different ways for NGOs to engage with global governance organizations (like the United Nations), multinational corporations and national governments. The class helps us to understand determinants for NGO effectiveness in advocating for specific policies or principles, from human rights advocacy to the representation of specific group interests. Crucially, we deal with the challenges that NGOs face including a backlash against "foreign influences" in some places and more widespread criticism that (some) NGOs lack accountability. During the second half of the class, we will investigate the activities of selected NGOs in specific policy fields, including environmental governance, Internet governance and global disarmament.

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

This seminar provides an introduction to key theories and important policy issues in Development Studies. Topics will include poverty, inequality, labor and migration, financial services to the poor, social assistance programs and targeting, human capital, education and health. You will also get an overview of the sustanaible development goals (SDGs) – what they are and how progress toward them can be measured. More detailed course information will be made available on Stud.IP.

European colonial empires spanned much of the world until well into the twentieth century. While some former colonies have prospered, most currently rank among the world's poorer countries. In this course, we ask whether and how colonialism has contributed to this. We do so by exploring the interests and interplay of different colonial actors, many of which still exist, and the consequences of their actions for human development today. As such, we will consider how colonialism affects different aspects of contemporary development, such as economic growth, educational expansion or inequality. The course is structured around central themes in the political economy literature and students will finish the course with a good understanding of the related debates.

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

This class provides an introduction to the American political system and to contemporary American politics. It offers a deeper theoretical understanding of the structural and long-lasting forces in American politics which help to interpret current political trends. The first part of the course deals with the US constitution and the three branches of government it lays out. The second part of the class deals with important concepts and problems in American politics that transcend daily politics and are deeply rooted within political culture. This includes discussions related to elections and political parties, ethnicity/race in politics, and the role of money in politics in the United States. Finally, the third part of the class invites us to engage with current topics in American politics. The theoretical and conceptual insights from the previous weeks should help us better understand today's debates.

Die Veranstaltung findet zu den angegebenen Zeiten online statt. Nur die Auftaktveranstaltung ist in Präsenz geplant.
In the seminar we will examine the development of the welfare state in the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We will start by definining the CEE region and looking at the similarities and differences (historical, cultural, political, economic) across CEE countries. We will then focus on the pre-1989 communist welfare state, as well as the unfolding and impact of the post-1989 transition. Then we will discuss the post-1989 welfare arrangements in the region and the actors involved in shaping the policy-making and reforms. The impact of Europeanization processes, as well as gender aspects will also be considered. The non-exhaustive list of topics includes:
1. Welfare state: the emergence, typologies, and challenges
2. Definition of ECE; political, cultural, economic diversity of the region; 1945-1989 welfare arrangements; legacies
3. 1989 change; a triple transition; internal vs. external factors and actors shaping transition paths
4. Social costs of the transition – unemployment, health, demography, public opinion
5. Emergence of new ‘varieties of capitalism’ in ECE; the role of the state and trade unions in ECE; employment relations
6. Welfare state and gender in the transition process
7. Policies: pensions, healthcare, long-term care, unemployment insurance, labour market activation, family benefits and services
8. EU enlargement; social acquis; conditionality; compliance; impact of the acquis on social policy in ECE
9. New world(s) of welfare in ECE.

The seminar will be organized in monthly block meetings. The first session will be a face-to-face meeting in the classroom, for the following sessions we will move on to zoom. Readings and course material will be made available on Stud.IP.

Die Veranstaltung findet zu den angegebenen Zeiten online statt. Nur die Auftaktveranstaltung ist in Präsenz geplant.
Reproductive rights refer to the composite of human rights that address matters of sexual and reproductive health. Reproductive rights are protected through the application of human rights in guidelines, national laws, constitutions, and regional and international treaties. (…) [They] consist of three broad categories of rights: (1) rights to reproductive self-determination, (2) rights to sexual and reproductive health services, information, and education, and (3) rights to equality and nondiscrimination” (Erdman and Cook 2008). Different aspects of reproductive rights are studied by political science, medicine, public health, law and (bio)ethics.
Reproductive rights remain strongly contested, access to information and services continues to be restricted and individuals are “denied freedom to manage their lives” in many world regions (Kulczycki 2017), including a number of European countries. On the other hand, advances are made in response to cultural and societal changes. Moreover, developments in medical technology require continuous adjustments of the respective regulations, both at national and regional (e.g. EU) level. Some recent news items offer snapshots of the changing situation in Europe:
https://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2019-05/surrogate-mothers-greece-babies-childless-couples-germany-english
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-approves-new-abortion-law/a-47611468
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/24/thousands-join-poland-protests-against-strict-abortion-laws
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/ireland-votes-by-landslide-to-legalise-abortion
In the seminar we will focus on how reproductive rights are defined by law and exercised in practice in European countries. Thus, we will analyze regulatory frameworks and their practical implementation affecting, among other, the provision of sexual education, access to abortion and assisted reproduction technologies. We will discuss cross-border mobility in pursuit of reproductive health needs: we will look at reproductive flows of individuals seeking abortion abroad, as well as those seeking access to medically assisted reproduction, including surrogacy. We will also address the notion of reproductive justice by discussing limitations that sexual minorities, individuals with different family status (singles and couples), and with different ethnic and racial background are facing while pursuing their reproductive rights.
The seminar will be organized in monthly block meetings. The first session will be a face-to-face meeting in the classroom, for the following sessions we will move on to zoom. Readings and course material will be made available on Stud.IP.

Die Veranstaltung findet zu den angegebenen Zeiten online statt. Nur die Auftaktveranstaltung ist in Präsenz geplant.
In the seminar we will examine the development of the welfare state in the post-communist countries of Central and Eastern Europe (CEE). We will start by definining the CEE region and looking at the similarities and differences (historical, cultural, political, economic) across CEE countries. We will then focus on the pre-1989 communist welfare state, as well as the unfolding and impact of the post-1989 transition. Then we will discuss the post-1989 welfare arrangements in the region and the actors involved in shaping the policy-making and reforms. The impact of Europeanization processes, as well as gender aspects will also be considered. The non-exhaustive list of topics includes:
1. Welfare state: the emergence, typologies, and challenges
2. Definition of ECE; political, cultural, economic diversity of the region; 1945-1989 welfare arrangements; legacies
3. 1989 change; a triple transition; internal vs. external factors and actors shaping transition paths
4. Social costs of the transition – unemployment, health, demography, public opinion
5. Emergence of new ‘varieties of capitalism’ in ECE; the role of the state and trade unions in ECE; employment relations
6. Welfare state and gender in the transition process
7. Policies: pensions, healthcare, long-term care, unemployment insurance, labour market activation, family benefits and services
8. EU enlargement; social acquis; conditionality; compliance; impact of the acquis on social policy in ECE
9. New world(s) of welfare in ECE.

The seminar will be organized in monthly block meetings. The first session will be a face-to-face meeting in the classroom, for the following sessions we will move on to zoom. Readings and course material will be made available on Stud.IP.

Die Veranstaltung findet zu den angegebenen Zeiten online statt. Nur die Auftaktveranstaltung ist in Präsenz geplant.
Reproductive rights refer to the composite of human rights that address matters of sexual and reproductive health. Reproductive rights are protected through the application of human rights in guidelines, national laws, constitutions, and regional and international treaties. (…) [They] consist of three broad categories of rights: (1) rights to reproductive self-determination, (2) rights to sexual and reproductive health services, information, and education, and (3) rights to equality and nondiscrimination” (Erdman and Cook 2008). Different aspects of reproductive rights are studied by political science, medicine, public health, law and (bio)ethics.
Reproductive rights remain strongly contested, access to information and services continues to be restricted and individuals are “denied freedom to manage their lives” in many world regions (Kulczycki 2017), including a number of European countries. On the other hand, advances are made in response to cultural and societal changes. Moreover, developments in medical technology require continuous adjustments of the respective regulations, both at national and regional (e.g. EU) level. Some recent news items offer snapshots of the changing situation in Europe:
https://www.zeit.de/wirtschaft/2019-05/surrogate-mothers-greece-babies-childless-couples-germany-english
https://www.dw.com/en/germany-approves-new-abortion-law/a-47611468
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/24/thousands-join-poland-protests-against-strict-abortion-laws
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/may/26/ireland-votes-by-landslide-to-legalise-abortion
In the seminar we will focus on how reproductive rights are defined by law and exercised in practice in European countries. Thus, we will analyze regulatory frameworks and their practical implementation affecting, among other, the provision of sexual education, access to abortion and assisted reproduction technologies. We will discuss cross-border mobility in pursuit of reproductive health needs: we will look at reproductive flows of individuals seeking abortion abroad, as well as those seeking access to medically assisted reproduction, including surrogacy. We will also address the notion of reproductive justice by discussing limitations that sexual minorities, individuals with different family status (singles and couples), and with different ethnic and racial background are facing while pursuing their reproductive rights.
The seminar will be organized in monthly block meetings. The first session will be a face-to-face meeting in the classroom, for the following sessions we will move on to zoom. Readings and course material will be made available on Stud.IP.

Die Veranstaltung findet online statt.

Since the Arab Spring began in early 2010s, countless academics in the Middle East and North Africa (the MENA region) have been fired from their faculty positions in direct response to ideas expressed in their writing or teaching. In the most extreme cases, their lives have been threatened, and they have been forced to flee. This seminar will provide an introduction to the concept of “academic freedom,” put simply, the ability of faculty members and students to engage in intellectual debate without fear of censorship or retaliation.