The MIA offers a diverse and flexible range of elective core courses that allow you to pursue your personal interests and develop your own academic and professional profile. The MIA’s courses electives (24-36 ECTS) are again structured along the three pillars and serve to deepen the thematic, methodological and practice-oriented subjects taught in the compulsory courses.
Thematic Pillar
Courses in this pillar provide you with in-depth coverage of conceptual, theoretical and empirical issues in International Affairs. You complete at least one and up to five courses in this area. At the same time, you may choose to pursue one of the following clusters of specialization, provided that you complete a minimum of 12 ECTS and write your master's thesis in the same field:
Security and Conflict
This cluster focuses on traditional International Affairs topics such as conflict prevention, peace enforcement, nuclearization, trade wars, humanitarian intervention, international criminal tribunals, and refugee crisis management but also on foreign policy of nation-states and external action of regional or international organizations. Topics such as diplomacy but also the (global) private security market and cybersecurity are included, too.
Course |
ECTS
|
Lecturer
|
Semester
|
The Indo-Pacific: Security Issues and Challenges
|
4 |
Hänggi, Heiner, Prof. Dr |
Autumn
|
The Second Nuclear Age
|
4 |
Davis, James, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn |
Introduction to Cryptography and Cyber Security
|
4
|
Horlemann, Anna-Lena, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Fundamentals of Arms Control
|
4 |
Davis, James, Prof. PhD. |
Spring |
Energy transition and foreign policy |
4 |
Thaler, Philipp, Prof. PhD. |
Spring |
International Protection of Human Rights
|
4
|
Fenton-Glynn, Claire, PhD.
|
Spring
|
How does Law Protect in War
|
4
|
Khan, Daniel-Erasmus, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
International Human Rights in Practice
|
4
|
Burri, Nina, Dr.
|
Spring
|
The Law, the Economics and the Politics of Migration
|
4
|
Böhm, Andreas, Dr., Haidar, Mahmoud
|
Spring
|
Democracy and Governance
This cluster seeks to understand the foundations of democratic and responsive decision-making at various levels, be it in the realm of politics or business. Courses tackle related topics, such as authoritarianism, corruption, digital democracy, corporate management, electoral integrity, citizenship, arms trade, and (global) justice.
Course |
ECTS |
Lecturer |
Semester |
Silk Roads, Old and New: China, Europe, and Central Asia in Historical, Economic, Sociocultural, and Geopolitical Contexts
|
4
|
Frei, Christoph, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Failed States
|
4
|
Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
The Impact of Human Right Norms on Business
|
4
|
Bonanda-Fuchs, Vanessa, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Business Regulation and Advocacy
|
4
|
Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn
|
The Future of Work
|
4
|
Emmenegger, Patrick, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Political Economics
|
4
|
Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
The Second Nuclear Age
|
4
|
Davis, James, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn
|
Experts in Democratic Politics
|
4
|
Bertsou, Eri, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn
|
Economics of Central Banking
|
4
|
Cuche-Curti, Nicolas, Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Rising Powers in the Global Economy
|
4
|
Kim, Soo Yeon, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn
|
Public Corporate Governance
|
4
|
Schedler, Kuno, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
International Organisations
|
4
|
Dingwerth, Klaus, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Advanced Corporate Tactics
|
4
|
Evenett, Simon, Prof. PhD.
|
Spring
|
International Corporate Governance and Strategic Leadership
|
4
|
Guttmann, Georg, Dr.
|
Spring
|
The Political Economy of the Car
|
4
|
Rinscheid, Adrian, Dr.
|
Spring
|
Institutional Complexity in Global Governance
|
4
|
Westerwinter, Oliver, Prof. PhD.
|
Spring |
Selected Topics in Swiss Public Finance
|
4
|
Schaltegger, Christoph, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Corporate Governance
|
4
|
Müller, Roland, Prof. Dr., Binder, Andreas, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
International Protection of Human Rights
|
4
|
Fenton-Glynn, Claire, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
International Human Rights in Practice
|
4
|
Burri, Nina, Dr.
|
Spring
|
The Law, the Economic, and the Politics of Migration
|
4
|
Böhm, Andreas, Dr., Haidar, Mahmoud
|
Spring
|
Business and Public Policy
This cluster addresses the complex nexus of economic conditions and trends, international and national politics and institutions, business and financial interests and civil society. It focuses on international trade relations and more specifically on the international flow of goods, services, and production factors, which capture migration and international capital flows. Public policy issues such as tax competition and evasion are also addressed.
Course |
ECTS
|
Lecturer
|
Semester |
The Impact of Human Right Norms on Business
|
4 |
Bonanda-Fuchs, Vanessa, Prof. Dr. |
Autumn
|
Public Corporate Governance
|
4
|
Schedler, Kuno, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Business Regulation and Advocacy
|
4
|
Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn
|
Political Economics
|
4
|
Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Business in Europe
|
4
|
Legge, Stefan, Dr. |
Autumn |
Debt and Fiscal Policy |
4 |
Mankart, Jochen, PhD. |
Autumn |
Energy and Climate Governance |
4 |
Rinscheid, Adrian, Dr.
|
Autumn |
Grand Challenge: Corporate Sustainability Management |
4
|
Walls, Judith, Prof. PhD. |
Autumn |
Managing Collaborative Innovation for Net-Zero
|
4
|
Zobel, Ann-Katrin, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
The Future of Work
|
4
|
Emmenegger, Patrick, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Economics of Central Banking
|
4
|
Cuche-Curti, Nicolas, Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Advanced Corporate Tactics |
4
|
Evenett, Simon, Prof. PhD.
|
Spring |
Politics of Financial Regulation |
4 |
Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD. |
Spring |
International Corporate Governance and Strategic Leadership |
4 |
Guttmann, Georg, Dr. |
Spring |
The Political Economy of the Car |
4 |
Rinscheid, Adrian, Dr. |
Spring |
Selected Topics in Swiss Public Finance
|
4
|
Schaltegger, Christoph, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Drivers and Consequences of Trust
|
4
|
Weibel, Antoinette, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Corporate Governance
|
4
|
Müller, Roland, Prof. Dr., Binder, Andreas, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Financial Business Planning and Controlling
|
4
|
Mitterlechner, Matthias, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Beyond Homo Oeconomicus
|
4
|
Kolmar, Martin, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
International Trade
|
4
|
Föllmi, Reto, Prof. Dr., Legge, Stefan, Dr.
|
Spring
|
International Macroeconomics
|
4
|
Mündler, Marc-Andreas, Prof. PhD., Torun, David
|
Spring
|
Public Economics - The Economics of Taxation
|
4
|
Keuschnigg, Christian, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Climate Change Course and Model UNFCCC
|
4
|
Rindscheid, Adrian, Dr.
|
Spring
|
Sustainability and Development
This cluster considers the economic, political, social and environmental dimensions when addressing development and sustainability issues, including (economic) growth, environmental problems such as climate change, health, fair trade, social entrepreneurship, corporate social responsibility, foreign aid, and sustainable consumption. Issues pertaining to intellectual property are viewed as an integral part of development, too.
Course |
ECTS |
Lecturer |
Semester
|
Global Environmental Politics
|
4 |
Hofmann, Benjamin, Dr. |
Autumn
|
Climate Change Law
|
4
|
Young, Margret, Prof. Dr. |
Autumn |
Failed States
|
4
|
Hodler, Roland, Prof. PhD. |
Autumn |
Debt and Fiscal Policy
|
4
|
Mankart, Jochen, PhD. |
Autumn |
Energy and Climate Governance |
4
|
Rinscheid, Adrian, Dr. |
Autumn |
Grand Challenge: Corporate Sustainability Management |
4
|
Walls, Judith, Prof. PhD. |
Autumn |
Managing Collaborative Innovation for Net-Zero
|
4
|
Zobel, Ann-Katrin, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Drivers and Consequences of Trust
|
4 |
Weibel, Antoinette, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Beyond Homo Oeconomicus
|
4
|
Kolmar, Martin, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
The Political Economy of the Car |
4
|
Rinscheid, Adrian, Dr. |
Spring |
Ethnic Politics and Economic Development in Africa |
4 |
Schaudt, Paul, Dr. |
Spring |
Energy Transition and Foreign Policy |
4 |
Thaler, Philipp, Prof. PhD.
|
Spring |
Climate Change Course and Model UNFCCC
|
5
|
Rinscheid, Adrian, Dr.
|
Spring
|
Political Economy of Development in African States
|
4
|
Opalo, Ken, Prof. PhD.
|
Spring
|
International Trade
|
4
|
Föllmi, Reto, Prof. Dr., Legge, Stefan, Dr.
|
Spring
|
International Macroeconomics
|
4
|
Mündler, Marc-Andreas, Prof. PhD., Torun, David
|
Spring
|
Environmental Economics
|
4
|
Keuschnigg, Christian, Prof. Dr., Bonev, Petyo
|
Spring
|
Macroeconomics, Development and Agriculture
|
4
|
Boppart, Timo, Prof. Dr., Gottlieb, Charles, Prof. PhD.
|
Spring
|
Methodological Pillar
Strengthening your methodological competencies to equip you with the skills needed to thrive in an increasingly data-driven world, these courses focus on advanced data science and research design skills. You may complete up to four courses in this pillar, but there is no minimum requirement.
Course |
ECTS
|
Lecturer
|
Semester
|
Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
|
6 |
Borth, Damian, Prof. Dr. |
Autumn
|
Data Handling: Databases
|
4
|
Grossniklaus, Michael, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Introduction to Methods and Thinking of Law
|
4
|
Riznik, Donald, Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Institutional Analysis
|
4
|
Emmenegger, Patrick, Prof. PhD., Asper, Patrik, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn
|
Qualitative Research: Design, Methods and Analysis
|
4
|
Schneider, Tanja, Prof. Dr., Nentwich, Julia, Prof. Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Quantitative Text Analysis
|
4
|
Gava, Roy, Prof. Dr.
|
Spring
|
Big Data Analytics
|
4 |
Matter, Ulrich, Prof. Dr. |
Spring
|
Empirical Policy Evaluation
|
4
|
Pisch, Frank, Prof. PhD.
|
Spring
|
Professional Pillar
Courses in this pillar are designed in the innovative format of a "Consultancy Course" and allow you to work on real-life problems and translate your disciplinary knowledge into practice while cooperating with relevant practitioners and potential future employers. You attend one professional course.
Course |
ECTS
|
Lecturer
|
Semester |
International Trade
|
4
|
Evenett, Simon, Prof. PhD.
|
Autumn
|
Sustainability Consulting in an Evolving ESG Landscape
|
4 |
Thaler, Philipp, Dr. |
Autumn
|
Economic Crisis and Crisis Management
|
4
|
Andritzky, Jochen, Dr.
|
Autumn
|
Resolving the Western Sahara Conflict?
|
4
|
Davis, James, Prof. PhD. |
Spring
|
Climate Friendly European Travel
|
4
|
Wüstenhagen, Rolf, Prof. Dr., Hampl, Nina, Prof. Dr. |
Spring |
Forward Thinking Foreign Policy
|
4
|
Stünzi, Anna, Dr.
|
Spring
|
The independent electives (up to 8 ECTS) can be fulfilled with courses from other Master’s programmes or with additional MIA core electives.
Please note: The course offer reflects current planning and may be subject to change.