Courses in the Fall Semester 2023/24

This lecture provides an introduction to key concepts, theories, and methods of International Relations. It presents and discusses research on both international security and international political economy. As regards international security, we will look at explanations of international and transnational conflicts, as well as at the conditions for international cooperation and institutionalization. Concerning international political economy, we will examine global economic relations in the areas of trade, finance, and development cooperation. The lecture will also address research on global governance and the role that international organizations play in the globalized world.

This lecture introduces students to key topics on political violence. We will cover classic and current debates on interstate warfare, civil war, insurgencies and armed groups, coup d’états, terrorism and state repression. Given the vast amount of research in this broad field, we will not be able to cover all aspects in depth, but you will be equipped with key insights and conceptual and analytical frameworks and tools to better understand characteristics and causes of different forms of political violence.

The objective of this course is to introduce students to central areas of international relations research through a gender lens. We will survey key topics such as international determinants of gender inequality, gendered norms of protection, cooperation and violence, or the role of gender in political leadership, diplomacy, and political violence. Furthermore, we will discuss potential implications of „gender-blindness“ in quantitative political science research and related issues of gender-sensitive measurement and data collection. Throughout the course, particular emphasis will be on familiarizing students with the foundations of academic writing and independent research. After completing this course, students will be able to i) critically assess and reflect potentials and pitfalls of the gender and IR literature, and ii) to identify and sketch out a research project within the broad area of gender and IR.
 

The objective of this course is to introduce students to the basic statistical concepts and programming skills needed to address social science questions in the fields of international relations and conflict research. The course offers a hands-on introduction to the free and versatile software R as well as the tidyverse, a system of R packages for data manipulation, exploration and visualization. Using real-world data from publications in IR and conflict research, students will go through each step of the statistical analysis, from preprocessing and preparing the data, to (visually) exploring quantities of interest, to estimating statistical models, visualizing results, as well as interpreting and evaluating results in the context of the respective research question.  

After completing this course, students will be able to i) preprocess the data required to answer their own research questions, ii) identify the correct statistical model for different types of data as well as iii) justify their decision, iv) correctly specify and implement models in R and v) to describe and visualize the results as well as to evaluate and interpret them in light of the research question. The goal is to provide students with the necessary foundational skills to perform their own analyses (e.g., for their BA theses) by transferring the acquired skills to their research interests and to become critical consumers of statistical claims made in the news, policy reports and academic research.
 

International relations is an interdisciplinary field that focuses on the political, military, economic, and cultural interaction of state and non-state actors at the global level. This course provides a comprehensive overview of the key concepts, events, and issues in international relations, equipping students with the analytical tools to evaluate and respond to complex global problems. Why do wars occur? How do domestic institutions shape the costs and benefits of war? How can other state (and non-state) actors constrain what states do? We will address these questions (among others) and discuss existing approaches to answer them.

The course encompasses a semester-long simulation centered on the Syrian conflict, which has had far-reaching impacts on the region and beyond. With over 500,000 casualties and millions of refugees, the Syrian conflict has destabilized neighboring states and intensified tensions between US and Russia. In the simulation, students are randomly assigned roles as stakeholders in the conflict or affected states. Roles will include international organizations (e.g. United Nations, European Union), government actors (e.g. Syria, Turkey, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Iran, US, and Russia), and non-governmental organizations (violent and non-violent). By engaging with a real-world case study, students can deepen their understanding of the theories presented in the course and hone their problem-solving skills. The simulation culminates in a multi-stakeholder peace conference, providing an opportunity for students to apply their knowledge and engage in constructive dialogue towards resolving the conflict.