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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 Elective

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.

CourseECTSLecturerLanguageSemester
International Politics and Market Economy
Lecture + Tutorials
6

Prof. James Davis, PhD.

Prof. Dominik Sachs, PhD.

ENAutumn
International Law and Business Strategy
Lecture + Tutorials
6

Prof. Winfried Ruigrok, PhD.

Prof. Dr. Thomas Burri

ENAutumn

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.

CourseECTSLecturerLanguageSemester
Data Analytics and Causal Inference
Lecture +  Tutorials
6Prof. Beatrix Eugster, PhD.ENAutumn

Strategies of Social Science Inquiry
Lecture +  Tutorials

6Prof. Dr. Patrick EmmeneggerENSpring

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”.

CourseECTSLecturerLanguageSemester
Cases in International Affairs4Prof. Elsa Massoc, PhD.ENSpring

MIA Mornings: Skills and Competencies*

2variousENAutumn & Spring

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. 

CourseECTSLanguageSemester
From Moral to Leading Power: Contemporary India in World Politics4Kumar Manali,  Dr.Autumn 
The Second Nuclear Age4Davis, James, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Introduction to Cryptography and Cyber SecurityHorlemann  Anna-Lena, Prof. Dr. & Newman, MarcAutumn 
Foreign Policy of the European Union4Lehmkuhl Dirk, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Gender and Armed Conflict4Sjoberg, Laura, PhD.
The Law of the Sea4Papanicolopulu Zini, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Asia Compact: Rising China in Developing Asia4Huang, Chin-Hao, Prof. PhD.Spring
Power in Theory and Practice4Drezner, Daniel, Prof. PhD.Spring
International Governance of Conflict Management4Smidt, Hannah, Prof. PhD.Spring
Artificial Intelligence in International Affairs4Trusilo, Daniel, PhD.Spring
The Law, the Economics and the Politics of MigrationBöhm, Andreas, Dr., Haidar, MahmoudSpring
Transitional Justice4Reiter, Catherine, PhD. Dr.Spring
Migrationsrecht4Errass, Christoph, Prof. Dr.Spring
Natural Resources and Conflict4Schaudt, Paul, PhD.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. 

CourseECTSLecturerSemester
Failed States and Nation Building4Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr.Autumn
From Moral to Leading Power: Contemporary India in World Politics4Kumar, Manali, PhD.Autumn
Business Regulation and AdvocacyGava, Roy, Prof. PhD.Autumn
The Future of Work4Emmenegger, Patrick, Prof. Dr.Autumn 
Comparing Political Cultures4Bertsou, Eri, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Political Economics 4Hodler, Roland, Prof. Dr.Autumn
The Second Nuclear AgeDavis, James, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Foreign Policy of the European Union4Lehmkuhl, Dirk, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Topics in Industrial Organization4Bühler. Stefan, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Economics of Central Banking4Kondziella, Markus, Prof. PhD.Spring
International Governance of Conflict Management4Smidt, Hannah, Prof. Dr.Spring
Dynamics of Government and Non-Government Organisations4Schedler, Kuno, Prof. Dr.Spring
Selected Topics in Swiss Public Finance4Schaltegger, Christoph, Prof. Dr.Spring
Power in Theory and Pracitice4Drezner, Daniel, Prof. PhD.Spring
Artificial Intelligence in International Affairs4Trusilo, Daniel, PhD.Spring
The Law, the Economics, and the Politics of Migration4Böhm, Andreas, Dr., Haidar, MahmoudSpring

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. 

CourseECTSLecturer Semester
Business Regulation and AdvocacyGava, Roy, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Industial Policy and Sustainable Transition4Massoc, Elsa Clara, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Political EconomicsHodler, Roland, Prof. Dr.Autumn
Topics in Industrial Organization4Bühler Stefan, Prof. Dr.Autumn
Debt and Fiscal Policy4Mankart, Jochen, PhD.Autumn
Climate and Energy Governance4Rinscheid, Adrian, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Managing Collaborative Innovation for Net-Zero4Zobel, Ann-Katrin, Prof. Dr. Autumn 
The Future of Work4Emmenegger, Patrick, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Asia Compact: International Management in the New Asia Pacific4Ambos, Björn, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Grand Challenge: Corporate Sustainability Management4Ströhle, Judith, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Transnational RegulationSenn, Myriam, Prof. Dr. Spring
Economics of Central Banking4Kondziella, Markus, Prof. PhD.Spring
Politics of Financial Regulation4Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD.Spring
Blockchain Markets4Haefner, Samuel, Dr.Spring
Economics in Practice4Keuschnigg, Christian, Prof. Dr. 
Andritzky, Jochen, Dr.
Jost, Adriel, Dr.           
Spring
Selected Topics in Swiss Public Finance4Schaltegger, Christoph, Prof. Dr. Spring 
Dynamics of Government and Non-Government Organisations4Schedler, Kuno, Prof. Dr.Spring
Drivers and Consequences of Trust4Weibel, Antoinette, Prof. Dr. Spring
Financial Business Planning and ControllingMitterlechner, Matthias, Prof. Dr. Spring 
Beyond Homo Oeconomicus4Kolmar, Martin, Prof. Dr.Spring
International Macroeconomics4Wolf, Martin, Prof. PhD.Spring
International Trade4Föllmi, Reto, Prof. Dr.Spring
Public Policy, Taxation and InequalitySachs, Dominik, Prof. PhD.Spring 
Climate Change Course and Model UNFCCC5 (!)Vuichard, Pascal, Dr.Spring 
International Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility4Choudhury, Banali, Prof.Spring
The Political Economy of the Car4Rinscheid, Adrian, Prof. PhD.Spring
Grand Challenge: Corporate Sustainability Management4Zsuzsa, Borsa, M.A.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. 

CourseECTSLecturerSemester 
Global Environmental Politics4Hofmann, Benjamin, Dr.Autumn 
Industrial Policy and Sustainable Transition4Massoc, Elsa Clara, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Failed States and Nation BuildingHodler, Roland, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Climate and Energy Governance4Rinscheid, Adrian, Prof. PhD.Autumn
The Law of The Sea4Papanicolopulu Irini, Prof. DrAutumn
Climate Change and Inequality4Rinscheid, Adrian, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Debt and Fiscal PolicyMankart, Jochen, PhD.Autumn
Globalisation and the Environment4Eisenbarth, Sabina, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Managing Collaborative Innovation for Net-Zero4Zobel, Ann-Katrin, Prof. Dr. Autumn
Grand Challenge: Corporate Sustainability Management 4Strohle, Judith, Prof. PhD.Autumn
International Macroeconomics4 Wolf, Martin, Prof. PhD.Spring
Drivers and Consequences of Trust 4Weibel, Antoinette, Prof. Dr. Spring 
Beyond Homo Oeconomicus4Kolmar, Martin, Prof. Dr.Spring
Public Policy Taxation and Inequality4Sachs, Dominik, Prof. PhD.Spring
Climate Change Course and Model UNFCCC5Vuichard, Pascal, Dr.Spring 
International Trade4Föllmi, Reto, Prof. Dr., Legge, Stefan, Dr.Spring
Environmental Economics 4Bonev Petyo, PhD.Spring
Fighting Global Poverty4Caprettini, Bruno Prof. PhD.Spring 
Development Economics: Past and Present4Caprettini, Bruno, Prof. PhD.Spring
International Perspectives on Corporate Social Responsibility4Choudhury, Barnali, Prof. Spring
The Political Economy of the Car4Rinscheid, Adrian, Prof. PhD.Spring
Natural Resources and Conflict4Schaudt, Paul, Dr.Spring
International Enviromental Law4Prössli, Alexander, Prof. Dr.Spring
Grand Challenge: Corporate sustainability Management4Zsuzsa, Borsa, M.ASpring

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. 

CourseECTSLecturer Semester 
Big Data Analytics4Heiniger, SandroAutumn
Data Handling: Databases4Venturini, Marco, PhD.Autumn
Introduction to Methods and Thinking of LawRiznik, Donald, Dr.Autumn
Introduction to Web Mining for Social Scientists4Matter, Ulrich, Prof. Dr.Autumn
Foundations in Data Science and Machine LearningGuillot, Malka, Prof. PhD.Spring

Courses in this pillar are designed in the innovative format of a "Consultancy Course" 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. 

Security and Conflict
CourseECTSLecturer Semester
Rebuilding Security in Europe4Hänggi, Heiner, Prof.Dr., Greminger, Thomas, Dr.Autumn
Energy in Transition - Challenges and Opportunities in the Gulf Region4Frei, Christoph, Prof.Dr., Schaller André, Dr.Autumn
How Journalists Combat Fake News in ConflictSmidt, Hannah, Prof. PhD.Spring
Democracy and Governance
CourseECTSLecturer Semester
Political and Regulatory Monotoring with AI4Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Innovative Service Models im öffentlichen Sektor                           4Guenduez, Ali, Prof. PhD.Spring
Digintal Finance and Public Policy4Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD.Spring
Business and Public Policy
CourseECTSLecturer Semester
Political and Regulatory Monotoring with AI4Gava, Roy, Prof. PhD.Autumn
Economic Crisis and Crisis ManagementAndritzky, Jochen, Dr.Autumn
Climate Friendly European Travel4Wüstenhagen, Rolf, Prof. Dr.
Hamp, Nina, Prof. Dr.
Spring
Innovative Service Models im öffentlichen Sektor                       4Guenduez, Ali, Prof. PhD.Spring
Nature - related risks for the Swiss financial sector4Stünzi, Anna, PhD.
Carella, Carolin, M.A. 
Spring
Digital Finance and Public Policy4Gana, Roy, Prof. PhD.Spring
Social Start-up Creation4Stroe, Silvia, Prof. Dr.Spring
Sustainability and Development
CourseECTSLecturer Semester
Economic Crisis and Crisis Management4Andritzky, Jochen, Dr.Autumn
Energy in Transition - Challenges and Opportunities in the Gulf Region4Frei, Christoph, Prof.Dr., Schaller André, Dr.Autumn
Nature - related risks for the Swiss financial sector4Stünzi, Anna, PhD.
Carella, Carolin, M.A.
Spring
Climate Friendly European Travel4Wüstenhagen, Rolf, Prof. PhD.
Hamp, Nina, 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

Dominik Sachs

Prof. Dr.

Economics

SIAW-HSG
83-4220
Rosenbergstrasse 22
9000 St Gallen

Daniela Engelmann

Dr.

Executive programme director

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