If we have to, due to COVID-19, we will organise the course in a hybrid format, teaching a smaller group and livestreaming for the rest. This means that those of you, who will be able to attend the lecture on site are encouraged to come to WU to be taught by the professors. This lecture will be livestreamed for all the other students who, due to travel restrictions and visa issues, cannot come to Vienna. All of the relevant excercises will be coordinated online so that you are not at a disadvantage if you can only remotely participate.

More information can be found here: https://learn.wu.ac.at/open/distanzlehre/ws20_21

This module illustrates the complexity of global and local business, economic, social and environmental relationships that can be addressed only through the variety of theoretical frameworks and methodological tools available in the Social Sciences and practiced at WU. Understanding Economics and Socioeconomics broadly as disciplines that study how we organize society and transform nature in order to meet human needs, this course will demonstrate the centrality of Social Science research to understand and offer solutions to some of the contemporary challenges we face including globalization, climate change, inequality and poverty.

The course will focus on students critically engaging with the topics and working out how different theoretical lenses result in different research foci and questions that may yield potentially conflicting, yet scientifically valid explanations of and solutions to those challenges. In consequence, different research questions will necessitate and lead to a diversity of methodological and empirical strategies to address them. The course will emphasize the interactions between scientific research and policy making by demonstrating that theories, methodologies and evidence-based tools will allow to assess rigorously the potential solutions to selected global challenges.

After successful completion of the course students will be able to

• understand selected contemporary social challenges and conflicts
• evaluate and understand different theoretical economic and socioeconomic concepts and modelling tools to provide explanations of and solutions to those conflicts
• appreciate the strength of multiple theoretical frameworks, methods and models to approach these challenges from multiple perspectives
• understand that scientific evidence supports decision making processes and offers guidance for political decisions to address social and environmental challenges
• develop sensitivity to distinguish between scientifically acceptable information and "fake" news

Students are required to attend 70% of the total amount of class contact hours.

• Brief lectures by instructors
• Self-guided reading
• Videos
• Group work and discussions

In order to complete the course, students need to be present for 70% of the classes.

Final Exam: 50 points (you will need to obtain a minimum of 50% in the exam in order to pass the course. The exam has a total of 40 points and is then scaled to 50 points for the final grade)

Weekly, in-class, online quizzes: 5 points per quiz (max. 25 points) (there will be a quiz on assigned compulsory readings in weeks 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7). The five best quizzes count

Group homeworks: Total of 25 points.

In-class discussions / participation: 1 bonus point per class (where applicable)

Grading Scheme:

a curious mind

If you have questions regarding the course please contact instructors by e-mail:

Prof. Jesus Crespo Cuaresma: jesus.crespo.cuaresma@wu.ac.at

Prof. Jürgen Essletzbichler: juergen.essletzbichler@wu.ac.at

E-Assistant: Hans Vomary: hans.volmary@wu.ac.at