The course introduces key societal challenges and the specific research approach to analyse them applied in SEEP. Furthermore, the course offers an overview of writing and reading skills along with hands-on practical exercises.

The first part of the course introduces a pluralistic and heterodox perspective on economics. In particular, it gives an overview of the history of economic thought and discusses different paradigms to study economic relations and processes, including: (Post-)Keynesian Economics, Marxian Economics, Ecological Economics, Feminist Economics, Institutional Economics, Neoclassical Economics and Mainstream Economics. Students will learn to critically reflect on conceptual assumptions that underlie these paradigms. The section of the course will end with a student debate on how different schools of thought approach contemporary policy challenges.

Part two will address how an interest in a topic is turned into a research problem. Building on some of the input from part one, the research design and practice in Social Ecological Economics vis-a-vis other economic schools will be addressed. Students will receive guidance on how to formulate research questions appropriate to the scope of a project, how to structure an argument and how to express it in a written form. Selected focused knowledge on academic reading and writing will be provided. At the end of part two, students will prepare a research proposal as a group assignment, employing the skills learned in parts one and two. The assignments will be graded regarding the written layer (based on the inputs of part two) and the content-argumentative layer (covered in the first part of the course).

The third part of the course will provide theoretical and empirical input on recent migration research and migration policy. Students will be introduced to key concepts in migration studies. We will focus 1) on the articulation of migration and work in a transnational and intersectional perspective and 2) on the link between environment and migration from a human rights perspective. These sessions will take place in person and build on presentations, discussions on reading materials and in-class exercises. Students are welcome to bring examples they are familiar with to the class.

The course closes with sessions dedicated to the training of writing skills, particularly written forms for non-academic audience. These sessions will take place in a workshop format, where we will look into two types of texts: policy briefs and op-eds. The time in-class will be used for a detailed analysis of how to write policy briefs and op-eds, facilitated by the instructor input, employment of samples of the two written forms in focus, and group and individual hands-on work with the selected texts. This section of the course finishes with two assignments focusing on migration research and migration policy: 1) an individually written op-ed, and 2) a group written policy brief. These assignments will be graded regarding the written layer (trained during the final session of the course) and the content-argumentative layer (covered in the third part of the course).  

After completion of this course, students will:

- be aware of key global policy challenges and their interactions;

- be able to distinguish different perspectives on economic relations and processes and are familiar with their strengths and shortcomings, and provide a pluralist understanding of economics.

- be familiar with current pathways in migration research and the dynamics of global migration movements (in particular in relation to work and environment)

- be able to understand, critique and contribute to current debates in migration policy at different scales

- know how to design a research project, and how to conduct a literature review

- be familiar with the essential writing for academic as well as non-academic audiences, and be able to plan, structure and write short op-eds, policy briefs and an academic paper.     

This being a ‘Course with continuous Assessment (PI)’, the university requires students to attend at least 80% of all classes for completing the course successfully. This means that you can miss a maximum of 2 sessions, missing a third session means you will fail the course. Ideally you don’t miss any sessions.

The course gives an introduction to contemporary policy challenges as well as to reading and writing skills which are fundamental to the SEEP-program.

The course is based on:

- input and presentations by instructors

- classroom discussion and interaction (if necessary online)

- individual and group assignments

- (small) group debates

The course is based on several modes of assessment:

- Part 1 & 2: small individual assignments, student debate & final group assignment (assessed by B. Baumgartner & A. von Jagow) – 44%

- Parts 3 & 4: individual assignment (op-ed) & group assignment (policy brief) (assessed by D. Paredes Grijalva & K. Gruszka) – 44%

- Throughout the course: Participation – 12% (assessed by all instructors)

Notice of Special Regulation for Covid-19:   If a student is required to quarantine, or is otherwise prevented from attending class, due to a certified case of Covid-19 infection or a federally mandated Covid-19 lockdown, and this affects either attendance or the completion of an exam or other required course assignment, the course instructor is empowered to provide an alternative means for said student to meet the attendance/assessment requirement as necessary. The same means will be required of any student in the same situation in the same course.

Prerequisites for Incoming Exchange Students nominated by WU partner universities:

Minimum requirements to attend this course:

• Economics (accumulated minimum of 16 ECTS credits) OR
• Social sciences (accumulated minimum of 16 ECTS credits) OR
• Mathematics / statistics / quantitative methods (accumulated minimum of 16 ECTS credits)

Proficiency in English is required. If you do not meet this requirement, we reserve the right to withdraw students from the course.

Covid-19 Measures

Parts 1-3 are planned as in-person classes. However, should the Austrian or WU COVID regulations require it, these would take place online.

If you are required to quarantine by Austrian authorities, please inform Florian and we will arrange for an alternative participation.

Disability Services:

If you have a disability that affects your participation at the WU BeAble program offers services to assist you. Please contact them first before informing the instructors if any accommodations should be made.

Anti-Discrimination Policy

The WU Code of Conduct stipulates that all students and staff respect the diverse backgrounds of its staff and student body. As instructors we come to the classroom with an attitude of respect and expect the same from all students. In case you want to file a discrimination complaint or seek support please contact the Equal Opportunities Committee (AKG) Campus WU, Welthandelsplatz 1, 1020 Vienna, D1 building, level 2 Tel.: +43 (0)1/31336/5799 or 5116. Email: ak-gleich@wu.ac.at