Lehre

In this seminar, we engage with research on state repression. The main goal is to develop a deeperunderstanding of the important actors, strategies and processes behind state violence and other formsof suppression as well as reactions to these practices. Why and when do regimes use which kind of repression? When andwhy do security forces comply with orders? What happens if they do not and how do leaders try to prevent disobedience?How do actors such as civil society and social movement organizations cope with and operate under repression?These are the kind of questions (among others) we will address with the help of current research. By the end of theseminar students shall be able to critically assess scientific contributions in the field and develop their own researchproject. The course is reading-intensive and requires active participation in class to allow. Prior knowledge of andexperience in handling empirical data is strongly recommended.Course language is English.

In this seminar, we focus on the role of civil society in processes of regime transition and democratization in the former Soviet Union. We discuss both classic readings on democratization and civil society as well as recent advances in the field. Integrating research on the role of external actors, repression of civil society, and the use of political violence allows for a nuanced understanding of current developments. This allows us to analyze variation across the countries of the former Soviet Union and to gain an understanding of the interconnectedness of democratic and autocratic practices.
Students gain a critical understanding of the theories and key methods in the field as the course integrates theoretical discussions with practical sessions on research design. Students are introduced to the relevant datasets and sources. This seminar aims to prepare students intensively for writing their final paper with Latex and is taught in English.

 

During the past fifty years, the world witnessed an increasing number of civil wars. They are often long-lasting and hard to solve. Once they are settled, they have a high chance to recur. In fact, settling conflict is not just swiping the switch from war to peace but rather a demanding and tedious process. How can we ensure that these countries remain stable? Why do some countries suffer from recurring conflict? To answer these and other pressing questions, the course takes a multi-perspective approach and discusses various important aspects such as conflict characteristics, politics, economics, culture, and external interventions.

Besides the content-based input, this course prepares students to write term papers and incorporates writing as part of the learning process. The readings and class discussions should encourage students already during the semester to think critically about appropriate topics for their final paper. Students work continuously, in guided steps, on their final papers.

To give them a good overview of important datasets, we will also present and discuss parts of the existing data basis.

This course focuses on security forces in conflict settings. After building a general theoretical framework for understanding force organisation, the course is structured in three main sections: first, we highlight selected topics surrounding conventional state militaries, pro-government militias, and UN peacekeepers. Second, we learn about co­unterinsurgency operations and military effectiveness. Third, we review civil-military relations, discussing coups, mutinies, and military defections. In doing so, the course tackles questions such as: what are the characteristics of different security forces? What renders UN peacekeeping (in-)effective? Why do militias engage more in human rights violations than other security forces? Why are some militaries more effective in fighting inter- or intra-state wars? How to conduct successful military operations? Why did some militaries defect to the opposition during the Arab Spring, while others did not? In each session, we will systematically discuss and criticise core readings in class, and students will hold presentations on selected articles. At the end of the term, students will write a term paper for assessment.

This colloquium assists BA students in developing and completing their final thesis in the field of international relations, with particular focus on empirical conflict research. The colloquium facilitates feedback from the instructor and students on each stage of the thesis.

The security of individuals and states depends profoundly on international politics. Beyond the realm of security, structures and actors of “global governance” have been proliferating for many years. They influence crucial public policies in diverse ways. This lecture surveys academic debates on key topics of international politics, including: the sources of war, peace, and terrorism, the emergence and operation of international organizations and transnational civil society, and the making of key international policy outcomes including respect for human rights and climate policies.
 

This seminar discusses seminal and current work on state repression, security and peace. It introduces on why and how states violate human rights. It focuses on how governments organize and implement repression and how they aim to justify or obfuscate state violence, particularly in the context of democratic institutions and international human rights norms. The discussion also discusses peace as a more heterogenous concept than the absence of war. Over the course of the seminar you will develop your own research question on one of the topics discussed in the seminar and carrying out your own research. Additionally, you are expected to read all required materials, provide feedback on other student’s work and lead one class discussion.