Courses totalling 36 credits ensure that as a graduate of the Ph.D. programme in International Affairs and Political Economy (DIA), you will possess the required in-depth knowledge both in interdisciplinary fundamentals and in your main discipline and specialisation.
In the course "Philosophical and Methodological Foundations of Social Science Analysis" (English, 6 credits) we explore the theoretical and normative principles of economics, social sciences and law. In this way, scientific questions will be linked to methodologically based implementations.
| Course | Lecturer | Semester |
| 10,400 Philosophical and Methodological Foundations of Social Science Analysis | Prof. Dr. Klaus Dingwerth | Autumn |
The "Proposal Colloquium" (English, 6 credits) allows you to develop a coherent research project and to get helpful feedback before you submit the research proposal for the doctoral thesis.
| Course | Lecturer | Semester |
| 10,402 Proposal Colloquium | Prof. Tina Freyburg, Ph.D. | Autumn |
Various courses relating to methodological and thematic questions are offered in the areas of political science, economics and institutional organisation theory. At least one core elective course has to be attended (English, 4 credits).
| Course | Lecturer | Semester |
| 10,384 Political Economics of Development | Prof. Dr. Roland Hodler | Spring |
| 10,416 Institutional Organization Theory | Prof. Dr. Kuno Schedler | Spring |
| 10,422 Social Acceptance of Climate Solutions in a Polarized World | Prof. Dr. Rolf Wüstenhagen | Spring |
| 10,383 Macroeconomics and Inequality | Prof. Guido Cozzi, Ph.D. / Prof. Winfried Königer, Ph.D. | Autumn |
| 10,154 Workshop Series in Experimental Research Tools NEW! | Prof. Dr. Charlotta Siren | Spring |
You have the possibility to attend up to two elective courses (each 4 credits) and to choose from a range of seminars organized by both the GSERM (Global School in Empirical Research Methods) and other doctoral programmes at the HSG. If you want to attend external courses at other universities you have to submit a request in advance. When accepted by the programme commission the courses can be credited.
| Course | Lecturer | Semester |
| 10,203 Advanced Public Economics | Prof. Dr. Dominik Sachs | Autumn |
| 10,361 Empirical Health and Labor Economics (not in HS26) | Prof. Beatrix Eugster, Ph.D. | Autumn |
| 10,369 GSERM: Optimization for Data Science | Prof. Dr. Tobias Sutter | Spring |
| 10,203 Basics in Experimental Research | Prof. Dr. Emanuel de Bellis, Prof. Dr. Tobias Schlager | Autumn |
| 10,365 GSERM: Computational Statistics | Prof. Francesco Audrino, Ph.D. |
During the coursework phase you submit a research proposal for the doctoral thesis. The research proposal sets out the topic, the objective and the chosen method.
The dissertation committee (supervisor and co-supervisor) will carry out a colloquium with you on the research proposal. This lasts at least 30 minutes and is not open to the public. The dissertation committee decides either to accept the research proposal, return it for revision or to reject it.
In the "Essay Seminar" you will work on an essay suitable for publication.
| Seminar | Lecturer | Semester |
| Essay Seminar | Prof. Patrick Emmenegger - in HS25 Prof. Dr. Roland Hodler | Autumn |
In the "Dissertation Seminar" you will present the interim results of your doctoral thesis.
| Seminar | Lecturer | Semester |
| Dissertation Seminar | Prof. James W. Davis, Ph.D. - in FS25 Prof. Dirk Lehmkuhl, Ph.D. | Spring |
You can submit the thesis in the form of a complete book (monograph) or several essays (cumulative dissertation). You should decide on the format with your supervisor. For further details concerning the cumulative dissertation please refer to the corresponding guidelines.
In the defence you demonstrate whether you have met the requirements of the doctoral thesis. The dissertation committee hosts the defence and assigns an appropriate grade. The defence lasts at least 60 minutes and is open to the public.