Teaching We are primarily involved in the 'International Affairs' study programmes and also teach in the Contextual Studies. Our teaching repertoire includes a wide range of introductory courses, as well as research seminars that address current issues in academic discourse. Further information on the current courses can be found in the course directory of the University of St.Gallen. Bachelor stage Lecture "Comparative Politics" 4 ECTS, Autumn T. Freyburg Lecture "Vergleichende Politikwissenschaft" 4 ECTS, Autumn T. Freyburg The learning objectives of this course is to provide invaluable skills and knowledge for anyone seeking to develop familiarity with some of the major issues in Comparative Politics and the practical skills in critically evaluating political systems worldwide. The goal is to equip students of International Affairs with the foundation necessary to analyse politics within and across political systems in their research and to become critical consumers of political analyses in the news media, in policy reports, and in academic research. Comparative Politics is one of the three main subfields of Political Science, alongside Political Theory and International Relations. Whereas Political Theory deals with normative and theoretical issues, Comparative Politics deals principally with empirical questions. Similarly, unlike International Relations it is concerned primarily with interactions within, rather than between, political systems. Seminar "Spring Project: Telecommunications Companies and Internet Shutdowns" 2 ECTS, Spring T. Freyburg Masters stage Lecture "Strategies of Social Science Inquiry" 4 ECTS, Autumn T. FreyburgL. Seelkopf Since many of the claims we encounter in media and academic debates are highly contested, we need to learn how to evaluate competing claims. This course is designed to help students put research ideas into sound research plans that allow to do so. The ability to identify assumptions, weight alternatives, make informed research‑design decisions, and evaluate competing evidence is crucial not only to effectively understand and evaluate published academic research but also to critically consume information, especially news media reports in politics, economics, the sciences, and other areas. The course thus seeks to enhance key analytical and critical skills that are transferable beyond academic study to a wide range of careers. Seminar "The Internet and Citizens’ Political Communication" 2 ECTS, Spring T. Freyburg Seminar "Consultancy Project: Knowledge Transfer in Diplomacy" 2 ECTS, Spring A. Stünzi Seminar "Governing Finance for the Low-Carbon Transition" 2 ECTS, Autumn A. Stünzi, with F. Egli Workshop "Effective Writing: Topic Sentences" 0.25 ECTS, Spring T. Freyburg Doctoral stage Seminar "DIA Proposal Colloquium" (Compulsory course) 2 ECTS, Autumn T. Freyburg The proposal colloquium places your PhD project at the center. It exists for students to present and jointly discuss each otherʹs work in progress. The development of a coherent, consistent and feasible research proposal is a crucial stage in the writing of a PhD. Regardless of the stage of your PhD career, the colloquium pushes towards the development and improvement of a research proposal that can actually guide you through the process of effectively and successfully implementing a PhD research project.