Search result: Catalogue data in Autumn Semester 2018

Number	Title	Type	ECTS	Hours	Lecturers
Comparative and International Studies Master
Research Seminars
857-0103-00L	Topics in Public Policy: Governing the Energy Transition Only for MA Comparative and International Studies.	W	8 credits	2V + 2S	T. Schmidt, S. Sewerin
Abstract	This course addresses the role of policy and its underlying politics in the transformation of the energy sector. It covers historical, socio-economic, and political perspectives and applies various theoretical concepts to specific aspects of governing the energy transition. On this basis, students develop their own research project and produce a research paper.
Learning objective	- To gain an overview of the history of the transition of large technical systems - To recognize current challenges in the energy system to understand the theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying transitions - To demonstrate knowledge on the role of policy and politics in energy transitions - To develop own research question and address it in research paper
Content	Climate change, access to energy and other societal challenges are directly linked to the way we use and create energy. Both the recent United Nations Paris climate change agreement and the UN Sustainable Development Goals make a fast and extensive transition of the energy system necessary. This course introduces the social and environmental challenges involved in the energy sector and discusses the implications of these challenges for the rate and direction of technical change in the energy sector. It compares the current situation with historical socio-technical transitions and derives the consequences for policy-making. It then introduces theoretical frameworks and concepts for studying innovation and transitions. It then focuses on the role of public policy and policy change in governing the energy transitions, considering the role of political actors, institutions and policy feedback. The course has a highly interactive (seminar-like) character. Students are expected to actively engage in the weekly discussions and to give a presentation (15-20 minutes) on one of the weekly topics during that particular session. In addition to weekly lectures and student presentations, students will write a research paper of approximately 6000 words. The presentation and participation in the discussions will form one part of the final grade (20%), the final exam another (20%), with the research paper forming the rest (60%).
Lecture notes	Slides and reading material will be made available via moodle.ethz.ch (only for registered students).
Literature	A reading list will be provided via moodle.ethz.ch at the beginning of the semester.
Prerequisites / Notice	This course is intended for the MA Comparative International Studies programme.
857-0104-00L	Topics in Public Policy: The Politics and Policies of International Migration Number of participants limited to 18. MACIS students are given priority.	W	8 credits	3S	D. Hangartner, J. Pianzola
Abstract	This course covers both classic and recent topics of international migration, including: economic and political effects of immigration, explanations for anti-immigrant attitudes, methods to assess economic and political discrimination, integration policies (immigrant voting rights and naturalization), and asylum policies.
Learning objective	Upon completion, course participants will have a through understanding of the politics and policy of migration as well as knowledge of how to apply advanced quantitative methods for migration policy analysis.
Literature	The reading materials consist of a series of academic papers (see detailed syllabus)
Prerequisites / Notice	Essential: Familiarity with applied statistics (up to and including OLS regression). Ideal: Familiarity with statistical methods for causal inference from observational data, in particular difference-in-difference, instrumental variables, and regression discontinuity designs.
857-0052-00L	Comparative and International Political Economy Number of participants limited to 15. MACIS students are given priority. Registration required to koubi@ir.gess.ethz.ch	W	8 credits	2S	V. Koubi, L. Beiser-McGrath
Abstract	This research seminar complements the MACIS core seminar in Political Economy. It covers topics such as international trade, environmental policy, international finance and foreign direct investment, and welfare state policy. Students will, based on reading assignments and discussions in class, develop a research question, present a research design, and write a paper.
Learning objective	Students will acquire an advanced understanding of some of the key issues and arguments in comparative and international political economy. They will also prepare the ground for a high-quality MA thesis in political economy.
Content	Because the number of students will be very small, the Political Economy core course runs in parallel, and research interests will be heterogeneous, the general approach will be informal and decentralized. Before the seminar starts we will identify what research topics - within the broader field of Comparative and International Political Economy - the participating students are most interested in. In the first two weeks of the semester, we will meet twice for two hours each as a group to discuss how to write a good research seminar paper, and to identify more closely what each student will be working on. Each student will then receive a reading list, so that she/he can get familiar with the state-of-the-art in her/his area of interests and develop a research design in close consultation with Profs. Bernauer and Koubi as well as postdocs from Prof. Bernauer's group. The group as a whole meets again ca. in week 7 of the semester to discuss the provisional research designs. Research then continues in a decentralized fashion - again in consultation with Profs. Bernauer and Koubi as well as postdocs from Prof. Bernauer's group. The group as a whole meets again in the second to last week of the semester. Each student reports on progress in her/his research during that meeting. The research seminar paper must be finalized and submitted by the end of July 2015.
Prerequisites / Notice	This seminar is restricted to students enrolled in the MACIS program.
857-0098-00L	Technology Governance and International Security Number of participants limited to 15. MACIS students are given priority.	W	8 credits	2S	M. Dunn Cavelty, M. Leese
Abstract	This research seminar at the intersection between Security Studies and Science and Technology Studies focuses on how sociotechnical innovations (cyberspace, chemical and biological agents and robots) impact security politics and military strategy, and will look at the possibilities and limitations for international governance and arms control, with specific attention on the challenge of 'dual-use'
Learning objective	The aim of this course is to introduce students to fundamental concepts from Science and Technology Studies and Security Studies that are useful in understanding current issues in national security. In specific, they will learn to understand how technological innovation impacts security politics and military strategy, with a particular focus on the issue of 'dual-use'. Students will learn about national technostrategic projects such as strategic bombing, the creation of cyberspace, the weaponization of chemical and biological agents, and the move towards 'Lethal Autonomous Weapons Systems'. Furthermore, students will learn about problems and solutions for the international governance of technologies and arms control. By the conclusion of the course, students should be able to frame problems related to technology and security in an analytical framework that makes clear their complexity as well as the points at which policy might intervene successfully.

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