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The MIA curriculum

The MIA curriculum combines and integrates perspectives from political science, economics, business administration, and law.

Our compulsory subjects teach theoretical and empirical foundations of International Affairs at an advanced level. 

Moving beyond the classic distinctions of the four core disciplines and promoting integrated thinking, critical analysis and holistic learning, our multi-disciplinary programme is centred around four arenas, in which change-making individuals meet and decisions are taken. Through innovative graduate courses, you will be prepared for your role as future leaders in these arenas.

  • Polities: This arena comprises political systems or organisations (e.g., nation-states, non-governmental organisations, public administrations, transgovernmental networks), that are equipped with varying degrees of political authority. 
  • Markets: This arena comprises various markets at the sectoral, local, regional, economy-wide, or global level where resources are (re-) allocated.
  • Firms: This arena comprises corporate agents within the private business sector, including industries, establishments, and enterprises.
  • Courts: This arena comprises the places where legal disputes are settled at different levels (i.e. (constitutional, federal and transnational) and with varying competences (e.g., criminal, civil, constitutional) but also legislative bodies such as human rights commissions.

The MIA programme is structured along three pillars, i.e. thematic, methodological, and professional, and comprises six compulsory subjects, covering central concepts, issues, and skills in International Affairs.

MIA Core Electives

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.

The independent electives (up to 8 ECTS) can be fulfilled with courses from other Master’s programmes or with additional MIA core electives.

Core Studies

The two core courses combine theory and empirical research with a focus on investigating challenges in international affairs. They are designed to provide you with a common scholarly orientation in the four arenas Polities, Markets, Firms, and Courts.

Course ECTS Lecturer Language Semester
International Politics and Market Economy
Lecture + Tutorials
6

Prof. James Davis, PhD.

Prof. Simon Evenett, PhD.

EN Autumn
International Law and Business Strategy
Lecture + Tutorials
6

Prof. Winfried Ruigrok, PhD.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Burri

EN Autumn

This course offering corresponds to the current planning status. You can find the entire course offering in the official Course Catalogue Online.

The two core courses cover social science research techniques (qualitative and quantitative) and teach relevant data science tools. You acquire critical expertise regarding their relevance and the quality of data used.

Course ECTS Lecturer Language Semester
Data Analytics and Causal Inference
Lecture +  Tutorials
6 Prof. David Preinerstorfer, PhD. EN Autumn
Strategies of Social Science Inquiry
Lecture +  Tutorials
6 Prof. Dr. Patrick Emmenegger EN Autumn

This course offering corresponds to the current planning status. You can find the entire course offering in the official Course Catalogue Online.

The two core courses focus on the practical application of the material studied in the first two pillars. They combine academic and practitioner perspectives and help you make connections between disciplines. With case-based and problem-oriented teaching, you develop skills in analytical and integrated thinking as well as reflective judgment.

Workshops offered in the format of the «MIA Mornings» allow you to gain specific skills and competences, closing potential disciplinary, methodological and professional gaps. Examples of workshop topics include “Legal Thinking”, “Data Handling” or “Foundations of Project Management”.

Course ECTS Lecturer Language Semester
Cases in International Affairs 4 Prof. Elsa Massoc, PhD. EN Spring

MIA Mornings: Skills and Competencies*

2 various EN Autumn & Spring

*See online course listing at MIA/Specialized Studies/Compulsory/MIA Mornings: Skills and Competences.

This course offering corresponds to the current planning status. You can find the entire course offering in the official Course Catalogue Online.

Core Electives

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 Language 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 Horlemann, Anna-Lena, Prof. Dr. Autumn 
Foreign Policy of the European Union 4 Lehmkuhl Dirk, Prof. Dr. PhD. Autumn
Organised Crime, Corruption and Drug Trafficking 4 Schloenhardt Andreas, Prof.Dr. Autumn
Fundamentals of Arms Control 4 Davis, James, Prof. PhD. Spring
International Governance of Conflict Management 4 Smidt, Hannah, Prof. PhD. Spring
Counterterrorism and Radicalization 4 Neumann, Peter, Prof. PhD. Spring
Migrationsrecht 4 Errass, Christoph, Prof. Dr. Spring
The Law, the Economics and the Politics of Migration Böhm, Andreas, Dr., Haidar, Mahmoud Spring
International Law in Swiss Practice 4 Portmann, Roland, Dr. Spring
Transitional Justice 4 Reiter, Cathrine, Dr. Spring

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
Economics of Nation Building 4 Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Business Regulation and Advocacy Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD. Autumn
The Future of Work 4 Emmenegger, Patrick, Prof. Dr. Autumn 
Comparing Political Cultures 4 Bertsou, Eri, Prof. PhD. Autumn
Political Economics  4 Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr. Autumn
The Second Nuclear Age Davis, James, Prof. PhD. Autumn
Foreign Policy of the European Union 4 Lehmkuhl, Dirk, Prof. PhD. Autumn
Ruling Nation States in Europe 4 Schmid, Ulrich, Prof. Dr. Spring
Advanced Corporate Tactics 4 Evenett, Simon, Prof. PhD. Spring
International Governance of Conflict Management Smidt, Hannah, Prof. Dr. Spring
Selected Topics in Swiss Public Finance 4 Schaltegger, Christoph, Prof. Dr. Spring
Migrationsrecht 4 Errass, Christoph, Prof. Dr. Spring
The Law, the Economic, and the Politics of Migration 4 Böhm, Andreas, Dr., Haidar, Mahmoud Spring
International Law in Swiss Practice 4 Portmann, Roland, Dr. Spring

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
Business Regulation and Advocacy Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD. Autumn
The Global Leader and Managerial Effectiveness 4 Omid, Aschari, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Political Economics Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Business in Europe Legge, Stefan, Dr. Autumn
Topics in Industrial Organization 4 Bühler Stefan, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Organised Crime, Corruption and Drug Trafficking 4 Schloenhardt, Andreas, Prof. Dr. Autumn
International Economic Law 4 Ziegler, Andreas, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Trade Policy in a Disruptive Environment 4 Klasen, Andreas, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Economics in Practice 4 Keuschnigg, Christian, Prof. Dr.
Andritzky, Jochen, Dr.
Jost, Adriel, Dr.
Autumn
International and European Intellectual Property Law 4 Semmelmann, Constanze, 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
Advanced Corporate Tactics Evenett, Simon, Prof. PhD.  Spring
Politics of Financial Regulation 4 Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD. Spring
Blockchain Markets 4 Haefner, Samuel, Dr. Spring
International Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility 4 Choudhury, Barnali, Prof. Phd. Spring
Selected Topics in Swiss Public Finance 4 Schaltegger, Christoph, Prof. Dr.  Spring 
Drivers and Consequences of Trust 4 Weibel, Antoinette, Prof. Dr.  Spring
Transnational Regulation Senn, Myriam, Prof. Dr.  Spring 
Financial Business Planning and Controlling 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
Public Economics - The Economics of Taxation Keuschnigg, Christian, Prof. Dr.  Spring 
Climate Change Course and Model UNFCCC 4 Curtius, Hans Christoph, Dr., Vuichard, Pascal, Dr. Spring 
Asia Compact: Social Entrepreneurship in Singapore and South-East Asia 4 He, Vivianna Fang, Prof. Dr., Tietz, Matthias, Prof. Dr. Spring

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 
Economics of Nation Building Hodler, Roland, Prof. PhD. Autumn
Debt and Fiscal Policy Mankart, Jochen, PhD. Autumn
Globalisation and the Environment 4 Eisenbarth, Sabina, Prof. PhD. Autumn
Grand Challenge: Corporate Sustainability Management  4 Walls, Judith, Prof. PhD. Autumn
Industrial Policy and Sustainable Transition 4 Massoc, Elsa, 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
Climate Change Course and Model UNFCCC 5 Curtius, Hans Christoph, Dr., Vuichard, Pascal, Dr.  Spring 
International Trade 4 Föllmi, Reto, Prof. Dr., Legge, Stefan, Dr. 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 
Development Economics: Past and Present 4 Caprettini, Bruno, Prof. PhD. Spring
Asia Compact: Social Entrepreneurship in Singapore and South-East Asia 4 He, Vivianna Fang, Prof. Dr., Tietz, Matthias, Prof. Dr. Spring
International Environmental Law 4 Proelss, Alexander, Prof. Dr. Spring
International Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility 4 Choudhury, Barnali, Prof. Dr. Spring
Grand Challenge: Climate Solutions als Wettbewerbsvorteil 4 Loock, Moritz, Prof. Dr. Spring

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 Riznik, Donald, Dr. Autumn
Qualitative Research: Design, Methods and Analysis 4 Schneider, Tanja, Prof. Dr., Nentwich, Julia, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Quantitative Text Analysis  Gava, Roy, Prof. Dr. Spring
Empirical Policy Evaluation 4 Pisch, Frank, Prof. PhD. Spring
Introduction to Web Mining for Social Scientists 4 Matter, Ulrich, Prof. PhD. Spring

Courses in this pillar are designed in the innovative format of a "Consultancy Project" 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 between one and three professional courses. 

Course ECTS Lecturer  Semester
Rebuilding Security in Europe 4 Hänggi, Heiner, Prof.Dr., Greminger, Thomas, Dr. Autumn
International Trade 4 Evenett, Simon, Prof. PhD. Autumn 
Sustainability Consulting in an Evolving ESG Landscape 4 Thaler, Philipp, Dr. Autumn 
Energy in Transition - Challenges and Opportunities in the Gulf Region 4 Frei, Christoph, Prof.Dr., Schaller André, Dr. Autumn
Economic Crisis and Crisis Management Andritzky, Jochen, Dr. Autumn
Cyprus - an Unsolvable Conflict? Davis, James, Prof. PhD., Heusgen, Christoph, Prof. Dr. Spring
Climate Friendly European Travel Wüstenhagen, Rolf, Prof. Dr., Hampl, Nina, Prof. Dr.  Spring
Sustainable Finance - Global Positioning and Policies 4 Stünzi, Anna, Dr. Spring
Social Start-up Creation 4 Stroe, Silvia, Prof. Dr. Spring

Contextual Studies

The Contextual studies complements your specialized studies and is compensated with 18 ECTS credits.

The Contextual studies is another strong factor of the programmes' curriculum. It integrates knowledge across disciplinary boundaries and strengthens the social and cultural competencies of our students in a special way. They will holistically "think outside the box" and take courses in focus areas as well as in the skills area. The contextual studies also teaches skills such as presentation and negotiation techniques or programming languages. The cross-cultural and cross-social science programme courses offered in the focus areas are extremely diverse and can be tailored to the MIA degree programme. In the skills area, you will learn complementary competencies and practical skills for success in the public and private sector.

Language and Duration

The MIA is taught in English.

The MIA is designed as a full-time programme with a standard duration of three semesters. The study time can be extended up to eight semesters. In doing so, you will acquire a total of 90 ECTS credits. The study programme can be taken up exclusively in the fall semester.

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Contact

Daniela Engelmann

Dr.

Administrative Programmleiterin

International Affairs / SEPS
Büro 52-5062
Müller-Friedberg-Strasse 6/8
9000 St. Gallen

Dominik Sachs

Prof. Dr.

Akademischer Programmleiter

SIAW-HSG
29-002
Bodanstrasse 8
9000 St Gallen
north