| Number | Title | ECTS | Hours | Lecturers |
|---|
| 857-0001-00L | Methods I: Research Design, Qualitative Methods, and Data Collection  Only for Comparative and International Studies MSc. | 8 credits | 2U + 2S | F. Schimmelfennig,
J. Thiel,
T. Winzen |
| Abstract | The seminar covers basic issues of research design, small-n research, and data collection. It deals with issues of causality, conceptualization, case study design and QCA. Data collection includes interviews, surveys, and text analysis. |
| Learning objective | This MACIS core seminar covers basic issues of research design, small-n research, and data collection. It familiarizes students with general research design problems such as defining research questions, analyzing causality, and designing single and comparative case studies. It then introduces them to basic issues in small-n research. Students acquire an understanding of the specific challenges and design problems in qualitative analysis. Finally, students are introduced to exemplary methods of data collection. By the end of the course, students should be able to use the principal methods of data collection used by political scientists;have a critical understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the methods, and should be able to reflect on and discuss the methods in light of research questions of their interest. |
| Content | see http://www.cis.ethz.ch/education/macis/courses |
| Literature | see http://www.cis.ethz.ch/education/macis/courses |
| 857-0075-00L | Contemporary European Politics  | 4 credits | 2S | C. Kaya,
F. Karstens,
J. Moreno Rocabert,
R. Schrama,
T. Winzen |
| Abstract | How have the EU's powers developed until now and what are the problems facing the Union today? In this course, we will discuss the development of European integration. Furthermore, the course will address key issues such as the EU's democratic deficit, the consequences from enlargement to Central and Eastern Europe, the prospects for future entrants, the Euro-crisis, and the refugee crisis. |
| Learning objective | Since its start in the fifties, the European Union has evolved into an ever more important multilevel system of integration in terms of decision-making competences and scope of policy. The course 'Contemporary European Politics' discusses the development of the EU's powers and the problems that the Union faces today. At the end of this course, the participants will be familiar with the major theories and debates in the EU studies. Based on this knowledge, the participants should be able to identify the strengths and weaknesses of existing studies as well as to formulate and to defend their own arguments.
The course is divided into two parts. The first part discusses the development of European integration in terms of the functioning of the EU institutions and the policy-making process (i.e. agenda-setting, decision-making and implementation). In the second part of the course, we analyze the problems confronting Europe during the process of European integration, as well as current issues associated with the EU's expansion of powers and membership. For example, key questions include: Is there a "democratic deficit" in the EU in terms of responsiveness to public opinion? To what extent does the existing EU institutional structure allow for representation? How can we explain patterns of "differentiated integration" across policy areas and countries? What are the consequences from the EU's enlargement on the "new" Central and Eastern European member states and the prospects for future entrants? We will conclude with a discussion about the Euro-crisis and the European refugee crisis. |
