Course contents:
This course gives students an introduction to global politics, focusing on key concepts and issues of theories of international relations: states, sovereignty, conflict, cooperation, international institutions, non-governmental organizations, delegation and (indirect) global governance. The course starts with a focus on classical, Western literatures but concludes with sessions on gender, race, colonialism and the end of the Western-dominated liberal international order. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and apply the key concepts in their own research.
Teaching style:
The course will be taught in seminar style. The course will combine literature-based discussions in class with group work. Students are encouraged to bring in their own academic and practical knowledge. They will work on developing their own research ideas throughout the semester. It is essential that every student reads the assigned papers thoroughly and carefully ahead of class.
All readings are available for download on the course website on Stud.IP

The purpose of the seminar is to learn from classic and contemporary texts of modern social theory. By studying those texts, we can elaborate concepts concerning fundamental characteristics of social developments and adapt them for the analysis of contemporary societal problems. By combining distinguished and contradictory perspectives, we will focus on those achievements which prepare a better understanding and explanation of long-term developments that are of extreme importance also for challenges of governance and social change in the 21st century. Topics for discussion include the methodological status of social theory, different characterizations of modern society (in particular capitalist society), the relation of agency and structure, power and hegemony, the critique of certain features of modern society, and the relevance of the categories of race and gender. The seminar will serve as a general introduction to modern social theory – it does not require any previous knowledge of this field, but the willingness to engage with theoretical texts and their sometimes complex arguments.

This course provides a theoretical introduction to the use of quantitative methods in political science and international relations. It deals with quantitative research design, causal inference, and the assumptions and interpretation of linear regression models. The primary aim is to foster confident understanding and discussion of scientific studies that employ quantitative methods. Participants can earn 3 CPs by completing a take-home exam (5 questions) between 5th and 12th December.

Literatur zur Vorbereitung/Preparatory Reading:

Kellstedt, Paul M., and Guy D. Whitten (2008). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Prüfungsleistungen und CP/Assignments and Credits:
3 CP Take-home exam

Participation in the Introduction to Quantitative Methods in the first half of the semester is a prerequisite for this course. The specialization seminar provides an applied introduction to the use of quantitative methods in political science and international relations. The primary aim is to enable the independent application of multiple regression analysis. The course also introduces more advanced methods including nonlinear models. Participants will be trained and supported to use the statistical software “R” for data processing, visualization, analysis and reporting. Those with prior experience may choose to complete the class work and assessment using Stata.

Literatur zur Vorbereitung/Preparatory Reading:

Kellstedt, Paul M., and Guy D. Whitten (2008). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Prüfungsleistungen und CP/Assignments and Credits:
6 CP Research report

Termine f. Blockveranstaltungen: 4 Tage Ende September oder Anfang Oktober 2025
Termine f. Blockveranstaltungeb: 2 Tage Anfang oder Mitte Februar 2026

Course contents:
This course gives students an introduction to global politics, focusing on key concepts and issues of theories of international relations: states, sovereignty, conflict, cooperation, international institutions, non-governmental organizations, delegation and (indirect) global governance. The course starts with a focus on classical, Western literatures but concludes with sessions on gender, race, colonialism and the end of the Western-dominated liberal international order. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and apply the key concepts in their own research.
Teaching style:
The course will be taught in seminar style. The course will combine literature-based discussions in class with group work. Students are encouraged to bring in their own academic and practical knowledge. They will work on developing their own research ideas throughout the semester. It is essential that every student reads the assigned papers thoroughly and carefully ahead of class.
All readings are available for download on the course website on Stud.IP

The purpose of the seminar is to learn from classic and contemporary texts of modern social theory. By studying those texts, we can elaborate concepts concerning fundamental characteristics of social developments and adapt them for the analysis of contemporary societal problems. By combining distinguished and contradictory perspectives, we will focus on those achievements which prepare a better understanding and explanation of long-term developments that are of extreme importance also for challenges of governance and social change in the 21st century. Topics for discussion include the methodological status of social theory, different characterizations of modern society (in particular capitalist society), the relation of agency and structure, power and hegemony, the critique of certain features of modern society, and the relevance of the categories of race and gender. The seminar will serve as a general introduction to modern social theory – it does not require any previous knowledge of this field, but the willingness to engage with theoretical texts and their sometimes complex arguments.

This course provides a theoretical introduction to the use of quantitative methods in political science and international relations. It deals with quantitative research design, causal inference, and the assumptions and interpretation of linear regression models. The primary aim is to foster confident understanding and discussion of scientific studies that employ quantitative methods. Participants can earn 3 CPs by completing a take-home exam (5 questions) between 5th and 12th December.

Literatur zur Vorbereitung/Preparatory Reading:

Kellstedt, Paul M., and Guy D. Whitten (2008). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Prüfungsleistungen und CP/Assignments and Credits:
3 CP Take-home exam

Participation in the Introduction to Quantitative Methods in the first half of the semester is a prerequisite for this course. The specialization seminar provides an applied introduction to the use of quantitative methods in political science and international relations. The primary aim is to enable the independent application of multiple regression analysis. The course also introduces more advanced methods including nonlinear models. Participants will be trained and supported to use the statistical software “R” for data processing, visualization, analysis and reporting. Those with prior experience may choose to complete the class work and assessment using Stata.

Literatur zur Vorbereitung/Preparatory Reading:

Kellstedt, Paul M., and Guy D. Whitten (2008). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Prüfungsleistungen und CP/Assignments and Credits:
6 CP Research report

Termine f. Blockveranstaltungen: 4 Tage Ende September oder Anfang Oktober 2025
Termine f. Blockveranstaltungeb: 2 Tage Anfang oder Mitte Februar 2026

Inhalt: This course is a special offer for international students who are interested in Regional and Urban Geography, and the local history of Bremen and Northwest Germany.

• Students understand the historical development of cities and the processes connecting historical events and urban development
• Students understand the basic ideas of (Regional) and Urban Geography and History as a university science
• Students understand the most important historical events that shaped today’s Germany
• Students are able to give presentations about topics that they researched on their own (about an excursion destination as well as a unique city quarter of Bremen

Course contents:
This course gives students an introduction to global politics, focusing on key concepts and issues of theories of international relations: states, sovereignty, conflict, cooperation, international institutions, non-governmental organizations, delegation and (indirect) global governance. The course starts with a focus on classical, Western literatures but concludes with sessions on gender, race, colonialism and the end of the Western-dominated liberal international order. By the end of the course, students will be able to understand and apply the key concepts in their own research.
Teaching style:
The course will be taught in seminar style. The course will combine literature-based discussions in class with group work. Students are encouraged to bring in their own academic and practical knowledge. They will work on developing their own research ideas throughout the semester. It is essential that every student reads the assigned papers thoroughly and carefully ahead of class.
All readings are available for download on the course website on Stud.IP

The purpose of the seminar is to learn from classic and contemporary texts of modern social theory. By studying those texts, we can elaborate concepts concerning fundamental characteristics of social developments and adapt them for the analysis of contemporary societal problems. By combining distinguished and contradictory perspectives, we will focus on those achievements which prepare a better understanding and explanation of long-term developments that are of extreme importance also for challenges of governance and social change in the 21st century. Topics for discussion include the methodological status of social theory, different characterizations of modern society (in particular capitalist society), the relation of agency and structure, power and hegemony, the critique of certain features of modern society, and the relevance of the categories of race and gender. The seminar will serve as a general introduction to modern social theory – it does not require any previous knowledge of this field, but the willingness to engage with theoretical texts and their sometimes complex arguments.

This course provides a theoretical introduction to the use of quantitative methods in political science and international relations. It deals with quantitative research design, causal inference, and the assumptions and interpretation of linear regression models. The primary aim is to foster confident understanding and discussion of scientific studies that employ quantitative methods. Participants can earn 3 CPs by completing a take-home exam (5 questions) between 5th and 12th December.

Literatur zur Vorbereitung/Preparatory Reading:

Kellstedt, Paul M., and Guy D. Whitten (2008). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Prüfungsleistungen und CP/Assignments and Credits:
3 CP Take-home exam

Participation in the Introduction to Quantitative Methods in the first half of the semester is a prerequisite for this course. The specialization seminar provides an applied introduction to the use of quantitative methods in political science and international relations. The primary aim is to enable the independent application of multiple regression analysis. The course also introduces more advanced methods including nonlinear models. Participants will be trained and supported to use the statistical software “R” for data processing, visualization, analysis and reporting. Those with prior experience may choose to complete the class work and assessment using Stata.

Literatur zur Vorbereitung/Preparatory Reading:

Kellstedt, Paul M., and Guy D. Whitten (2008). The Fundamentals of Political Science Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Prüfungsleistungen und CP/Assignments and Credits:
6 CP Research report

Termine f. Blockveranstaltungen: 4 Tage Ende September oder Anfang Oktober 2025
Termine f. Blockveranstaltungeb: 2 Tage Anfang oder Mitte Februar 2026

Inhalt: This course is a special offer for international students who are interested in Regional and Urban Geography, and the local history of Bremen and Northwest Germany.

• Students understand the historical development of cities and the processes connecting historical events and urban development
• Students understand the basic ideas of (Regional) and Urban Geography and History as a university science
• Students understand the most important historical events that shaped today’s Germany
• Students are able to give presentations about topics that they researched on their own (about an excursion destination as well as a unique city quarter of Bremen