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Überblick der Lehrveranstaltungen

Applied Economics (Bachelor - Lecture in German)

Learning Objectives:
The module "Applied Economics" provides students with a deep understanding of the practical relevance of micro- and macroeconomic analysis methods. Participants will acquire the ability to apply economic models and develop argumentation skills through practical examples. The goal is to enable students to independently conduct economic analyses in various areas and to argue based on sound reasoning.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the differentiated application of economic analysis methods
• Competence in applying economic reasoning
• Development of argumentation skills through specific case studies

Content:
This module covers application-oriented topics in economics, including:

• Economic Imperialism and Interdisciplinarity: The application of economic methods to other disciplines and the analysis of interdisciplinary relationships.
• The Economic Logic of Collective Action: Examination of the mechanisms and challenges of collective action from an economic perspective.
• Economic Incentive Analysis of Politics: Analysis of different incentive structures in political systems, especially comparing autocracies and democracies.
• Economic Incentive Analysis of Social Phenomena: Analysis of issues such as environmental pollution, corruption, and intra-family negotiations from an economic perspective.

Microeconomics I (Bachelor German) / Intermediate Microeconomics (Bachelor English)

Learning Objectives:
In the module "Microeconomics I" or "Intermediate Microeconomics," students acquire fundamental knowledge of the economic rational-choice analysis of human behavior. They learn how economic agents act in markets, how markets function, and how markets can be shaped through policy. The focus is on imparting analytical methods and skills to help students understand and evaluate economic relationships.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the economic rational-choice analysis of consumer and producer behavior
• Ability to analyze market mechanisms and structures with a problem-oriented approach
• Insight into the importance of political frameworks for markets
• Development of analytical skills and economic judgment

Content:
The module covers basic microeconomic concepts and introduces students to the analysis of markets and institutions. The topics include:

• Actor Analysis: Examination of the demand and supply behavior of consumers and producers in goods markets.
• Market Analysis: Detailed analysis of markets, including the goods market, labor market, capital market, and insurance market.
• Institutional Analysis I: Analysis of different market structures, such as monopoly, oligopoly, and perfect competition, and their effects on market outcomes.
• Institutional Analysis II: Investigation of the differences between private and public goods, as well as the role of taxes and subsidies in the market economy.

Master-Seminar: "Sustainability by Innovation" (Master)

Learning Objectives:
The seminar aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the significance of innovation in achieving sustainability goals. Participants will critically analyze innovation dynamics in relation to sustainability and scientifically evaluate current debates in public discourse. A central goal is to dispel misconceptions and false assumptions about innovation topics such as organ donation, GMOs, nuclear power, and glyphosate. Students will develop the ability to adopt a nuanced, scientifically sound perspective on the role of innovation for societal sustainability.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the role of innovation in achieving sustainability goals
• Critical analysis of public debates on controversial innovation topics
• Ability to develop scientifically based arguments against popular misinformation
• Enhancement of analytical and argumentative skills in the context of sustainable innovation

Content:
The seminar addresses key issues at the intersection of sustainability and innovation. The focus is on the scientific analysis and reflection of controversial innovation topics and their impacts on the environment, economy, and society. Topics covered include:

• Foundations of Sustainable Innovation: The importance of innovations in achieving sustainability goals
• Analysis of Public Debates: Critical examination of controversial topics such as organ donation, GMOs, nuclear power, and glyphosate
• Innovation Dynamics and Sustainability: Scientific evaluation and empirical analysis of innovations in the context of sustainable development
• Popular Beliefs vs. Scientific Evidence: Analysis of the gap between public discourse and scientific findings on various innovation topics

Ethics and Economics of Global Challenges (Master)

Learning Objectives:
The module "Ethics and Economics of Global Challenges" provides students with a solid understanding of the ethical and economic dimensions of global challenges. It aims to develop the ability to analyze complex global issues such as climate change, corruption, cross-border infectious diseases, and terrorism from an economic ethics perspective. Students will acquire argumentative skills to generate sustainable and ethically sound solutions for the provision of global public goods, even in contexts where no international value consensus exists. The focus is on developing institutional arrangements that enable a rule-based consensus.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the ethical and economic aspects of global challenges
• Ability to critically analyze global issues such as climate change, corruption, and terrorism
• Acquisition of economic ethics argumentation skills to develop sustainable solutions
• Reflection on the provision of global public goods in the absence of international value consensus

Content:
The module addresses key ethical and economic questions that arise in the context of global challenges. The following topics are central:

• Globalization: Analysis of the opportunities and risks globalization presents for the world society
• Global Public Goods: Examination of the provision of global public goods, considering the lack of international value consensus
• Climate Change: Ethical and economic implications of measures to combat climate change
• Corruption Prevention: Strategies and ethical issues related to the prevention of corruption on a global scale
• Cross-border Infectious Diseases: Ethical and economic approaches to tackling pandemics and health crises
• Terrorism: Analysis of the ethical and economic challenges in combating terrorism

Excellence Seminar in Business Ethics (Bachelor German)

Learning Objectives:
The "Excellence Seminar in Business Ethics" aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of the application of ethical and economic insights to current societal and economic issues. Participants will develop the ability to produce academic seminar papers in compliance with academic standards. They will acquire the skills to conduct well-founded analyses at the intersection of ethics and economics and communicate them effectively.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Application of ethical and economic theories to current societal and economic problems
• Ability to produce academic papers while adhering to the principles of scholarly writing
• Development of argumentation skills in an interdisciplinary context

Content:
The seminar focuses on the interdisciplinary interplay between ethics and economics, with specific applications to modern economy and society. The topics covered include:

• Interdisciplinary Interplay of Ethics and Economics: Analysis of how ethical principles and economic models interact and influence each other
• Moral Justification of the Social Market Economy: Examination of the ethical foundations and moral legitimacy of the social market economy in a modern growth society
• Classics of Ethics and Economics: Engagement with classic works and theories of ethics and economics to understand their relevance to current issues

Economics and Ethics: Market and Morality in the Works of Ludwig von Mises and Other Theorists of the Market Economy (Bachelor in German and English)

Learning Objectives:
The seminar aims to provide students with a deep understanding of the connection between economic theories and ethical questions in the context of the market economy. Participants will study and critically assess the central ideas of Ludwig von Mises as well as other influential theorists of the market economy. They will learn to analyze the ethical implications of market processes and develop skills in economic ethics argumentation.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the economic theories of Ludwig von Mises and other market economy theorists
• Ability to analyze ethical questions related to market processes
• Development of argumentation skills on the topics of market and morality
• Mastery of scientific methods for writing a seminar paper

Content:
The seminar explores the connection between economics and ethics, particularly within the context of the market economy. The following topics are covered:

• Market and Morality in Ludwig von Mises' Thought: Analysis of Mises' ideas on the role of the market and the ethical implications of economic freedom
• Comparison with Other Market Economy Theorists: Examination of the views of other thinkers such as Friedrich Hayek, James M. Buchanan, Karl Popper, and others, regarding economic and moral aspects
• Ethics and the Market Economy: Discussion on the moral legitimacy of the market system

Ethics of the Social Market Economy (Bachelor Lecture in German)

Learning Objectives:
The "Ethics of the Social Market Economy" module provides students with in-depth knowledge of the conceptual and ethical foundations of the social market economy. Participants will gain an understanding of the need for reform and possible reform options to adapt the social market economy to current societal and economic challenges. Another goal is to develop argumentative skills for providing well-founded statements on relevant topics of the social market economy.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the conceptual foundations of the social market economy
• Knowledge of the need for reform and reform options within the social market economy
• Development of argumentation skills in the context of economic ethics

Content:
The module addresses key aspects and challenges of the social market economy and its ethical dimensions. The following topics are covered:

• Classics of the Social Market Economy: Analysis of the approaches by Walter Eucken and Friedrich August von Hayek, who shaped the theoretical foundations of the social market economy
• Moral Justification of the Competition Principle: Examination of the ethical justification of competition as a central element of the social market economy
• Social Policy Between Redistribution and Productive Investment: Analysis of the role of social policy and the balance between redistribution and investments in the future
• The Ecological Challenge for the Social Market Economy: Discussion on how ecological concerns can be integrated into the concept of the social market economy
• Corporate Social Responsibility: Examination of the responsibility of companies for social and ecological matters
• The Role of Civil Society Organizations: In the social market economy, not only profit-oriented companies but also non-profit organizations play an important role, particularly in shaping public opinion.

Ethics and Economics of Institutional Governance (Master)

Learning Objectives:
The module aims to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical foundations of ethics and economics. A key focus is on the methodical integration of positive and normative research. Students will become familiar with the interplay between democratic public discourse, politics, and the economy. They will learn to identify and analyze discourse failures and will be encouraged to form their own opinions on current societal issues while considering appropriate governance solutions.

Summary of Learning Objectives:

• Understanding the relationship between economics and ethics
• Familiarity with the practical syllogism as a tool for integrating positive and normative research
• Diagnosis of deficiencies in democratic discourse
• Understanding the importance of governance
• Ability to develop and communicate ethically and economically sound solutions to societal challenges

Content:
The module covers the following key topics:

• Theoretical Foundations: Examination of key concepts in positive and normative research with a focus on their relevance to institutional governance
• Failures in Democratic Discourse: Identification of common issues in democratic processes and their impact on governance
• Literature Review: Overview of classical works in economic analysis, including contributions from key theorists like Gary Becker, William Baumol, Thomas Schelling, William Nordhaus, and others, focusing on their insights into economic policy
• Interdisciplinary Integration: Analysis of how ethical considerations can be combined with economic theories to design better governance options

Ethics and Economics of Market Legitimacy (Master)

Learning Objectives:
This module aims to provide students with an in-depth understanding of current debates about the role and limits of markets in society. Participants will analyze the ethical and economic arguments for and against the commodification of various aspects of life. They will also explore the political implications of these debates and be equipped to develop and defend well-informed personal positions on these issues.

Content:
The module covers the following key topics:

• Critique of Commodification: Examination of Michael Sandel’s arguments that criticize the market's tendency to commodify areas of life that should not be for sale.
• The Role of Money: Analysis of the claim that certain things cannot be bought with money, along with the associated ethical considerations.
• Virtue Ethics: Engagement with virtue ethics and its call for limiting the market’s reach in modern society.
• Criticism of the Critique: Review of responses from authors like Jason Brennan and Peter Jaworski, who argue that markets can also be seen as virtuous zones.
• Political Relevance: Discussion of the political implications of these debates, addressing controversial questions such as:
  • Should selling kidneys be allowed?
  • Should drugs be legalized?
  • Should prostitution be banned?
  • Should euthanasia be restricted to non-profit organizations?
  • Should surrogacy be prohibited?

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