Fall 2024
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Sociology
Dissertation Tutorial: Sociology0 ECTSCourse Type: core courseCourse Content
Doctoral theses supervised by professors in the department of Sociology will be discussed.
Please check with individual chairs for dates and times.
BAS: Current Research Perspectives2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: BASCredits: 2Course Content
Description: The course “Current Research Perspectives” introduces first year CDSS doctoral students to the theoretically informed research approaches and substantive research fields that build the stronghold of social science research in Mannheim. A series of talks provide first year CDSS doctoral students with an overview of current scholarly debates and ongoing research in the fields of political science, psychology, and sociology. CDSS faculty members will present an outline of their research fields, report on prime examples of their current research, and provide an outlook on potential topics for future research. Doctoral students will get exposure to the different faculty and have the opportunity to discuss the short talks with the respective lecturer during the remaining discussion time.
Assignment: Come-up with a research project idea that is informed theoretically or methodologically by insights from one or several CDSS faculty presentations (outside of your particular field) in this class. Write-up your idea and describe a potential research design in a short 3-page paper. The paper is due October 31st.
Schedule
Lecture 12.09.24 Thursday 08:30 – 11:45 online Link 13.09.24 Friday 08:30 – 11:45 online 19.09.24 Thursday 08:30 – 00:00 online 20.09.24 Friday 08:30 – 00:00 online BAS: Mathematics for Social Scientists2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Emre Can Oral
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: BASCredits: 2Course Content
It is increasingly important for modern social scientists to have a level of mathematical literacy, as mathematical research methods such as statistics and formal modelling have entered the main stream. This course is intended to provide an introduction to mathematical logic and rigour, and to some fundamental mathematical concepts that form the foundation of the modern subject. The course covers introductory set and function theory, including analysis of functions, and includes sections on both probability and linear algebra, which together are the basis of data analysis.
The exam is scheduled for Friday, 6 December from 2 to 4pm in B 317 in A5, 6 entrance B.
Basic readings:
- Knut Sydsaeter and Peter Hammond. 2008. Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis. 3rd edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall
Additional readings:- Alpha C. Chiang and Kevin Wainwright. 2005. Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics. 4th edition. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill
- Jeff Gill. 2006. Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Malcolm Pemberton and Nicholas Rau. 2007. Mathematics for Economists. 2nd edition. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
- Carl P. Simon and Lawrence E. Blume. 1994. Mathematics for Economists. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. McGraw-Hill.
Schedule
Workshop biweekly 13.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 13:45 – 17:00 B 317 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET: Crafting Social Science Research6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Course Content
All researchers face similar challenges with core issues of research design. A research design is a plan that specifies how you are going to carry out a research project and, particularly, how to use evidence to answer your research question. The goal of this course is to jump-start students with their dissertation proposal. This course should help students to see the trade-offs involved in choosing a particular research design in their research projects. Consequently students are expected to develop own ideas about potential research questions and actively participate in those seminar-style meetings that are organized within this lecture course.
The goal of this course is to jump-start students with their dissertation proposal. Such a proposal is a research outline that delineates the doctoral thesis project, including the motivation for research question(s), the survey of the relevant theoretical and empirical contributions, the development of a theoretical framework, the specification of the methodology and planned empirical analysis. You should be prepared to address the following questions: What makes that an interesting question? Is it an important question? What contributions would this question and the answers make to the scholarly literature? What strategies are there to answer your research question(s)?
This course should help students to see the trade-offs involved in choosing a particular research design in their research projects. Consequently, students are expected to develop own ideas about potential research questions and actively participate in those seminar-style meetings that are organized within this lecture course.Course requirements & assessment
Mandatory readings, active participation in class, homework assignments, presentation of research proposal and performing as a discussant of proposals of peers in a workshop format, research proposal term paper (circa 10 pages, graded)
Schedule
Workshop 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 211 in B6, 30–32 Link RES: CDSS Workshop: Sociology2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Course Content
Participation is mandatory for first to third year CDSS Sociology students. Participation is recommended for later CDSS doctoral candidates, but to no credit.
The goal of this course is to provide support and crucial feedback for CDSS doctoral candidates in sociology on their ongoing dissertation project. In this workshop CDSS students are expected to play two roles. They should provide feedback to their peers as well as present their own work in order to receive feedback.
Schedule
Workshop 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 17:15 – 18:45 209 in B6, 30–32 RES: Colloquia2 ECTSCourse Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Course Content
CDSS doctoral students in political science and sociology can choose freely which weekly colloquium to attend. Colloquia must be attended regularly in year two and three of doctoral studies.
Please choose from
MZES Colloquium A “European Societies and their Integration”
MZES Colloquium B “European Political Systems and their Integration”
Please refer to the MZES web page for all further details. The talk announcements will be communicated via the CDSS mailing list as well.
Alternatively you can attend the Mannheim Research Colloquium on Survey Methods (MaRCS) or the MZES Social Science Data Lab, which will be announced through the Faculty of Social Sciences mailing list.
MET: Computational Social Science Methods and Digital Behavioral Data6 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Prerequisites
Please bring your own laptops for use in the course. At least basic knowledge of R is required.
Course Content
Computational Social Science is a young research field at the intersection of various social science disciplines, data science and computer science. The goal is to gain new insights into society through large amounts of data and the direct observation of human behavior. CSS relies on two cornerstones: digital behavioral data, which can be collected from online platforms or sensors like smartphones, and computer science methods such as automated text analysis to create appropriate measures for social science research questions. In the course, students will get to know foundational studies, theories and methods used in the field of CSS. We will discuss infrastructural, ethical and legal challenges and how to navigate these to devise appropriate research designs in CSS.
The course will be application oriented. Students will familiarize themselves with the main applications of CSS methods and implement them in R. The range of applications will cover data management and preprocessing, the application of machine learning, data and results visualization, statistical data analysis and the validation of results. The hands-on application examples will cover questions from various research fields and different data types like social media data or web browsing histories. Equipped with this theoretical and methodological toolkit, students will develop their own CSS research projects.The course will be taught by Prof. Sebastian Stier.
Course requirements & assessment
Regular small assignments (programming homework, developing research questions and your own project); compulsory attendance; participating in discussions. Written term paper based on an analysis in R graded, (max. 5000 words), deadline: July 31, 2024
Schedule
Seminar 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 15:30 – 17:00 B317 in A5, 6 entrance B MET: Cross Sectional Data Analysis (Lecture + Tutorial)6 + 3 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 3Prerequisites
Sound understanding of linear regression models (OLS), knowledge in linear algebra and calculus, and being familiar with the statistical package Stata.
Course Content
The main focus lies on the introduction to statistical models and estimators beyond linear regression useful to a social scientists. A good understanding of the classical linear regression model is a prerequisite and required for the further topics of the course. We will first discuss violations of the asymptotic properties of the linear regression model and ways to address these violations (heteroscedasticity, endogeneity, proxy variables, IV-estimator). The second part of the class is dedicated to rst the maximum likelihood estimator and second to generalized linear models (GLS) for binary choice decisions (Logit, Probit), ordinal dependent variables, and count data (Poisson, Negative Binomial). Classes will be accompanied by lab sessions to repeat and practice the topics from the classes. We will use the statistical package Stata.
Course requirements & assessment
- Regular and active participation in the lab sessions.
- Presentation of a weekly exercise; you must hand in the slides of the presentation, the Stata syntax file and output of the respective exercise, and a short output interpretation.
- written exam (graded, 90 min)
Credits (9 ECTS for lecture & tutorial) will be awarded based on a passed written exam. Participation in the final exam is subject to having passed all course requirements as stated above.
Schedule
Lecture 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 A103 in B6, 23–25 Link Tutorial Danielle Martin 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 15:30 – 17:00 C116 in A5, 6 entrance C Sandra Morgenstern 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 10:15 – 11:45 B318 in A5, 6 entrance B MET: Machine Learning for Social Scientists (CDSS doctoral students only)6 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Prerequisites
Participants must understand basic linear algebra, graduate-level statistics, and quantitative methods. Furthermore, they should be familiar with at least one programming language (R / Python).
Course Content
Machine learning algorithms – the backend of computational programs that can learn to perform tasks from data – already permeate many spheres of life. Next to its omnipresence in everyday technology, machine learning has become an important toolbox for research and decision-making in academia, government, business, and civil society – and its importance continues to grow by the day. This course introduces participants to popular topics in machine learning. We will cover the mathematical foundations, algorithmic mechanics, and the applied use of pertinent machine-learning techniques.
Course structure
The course will meet bi-weekly, starting Sep 9, 2024. The last session will be on Dec 2, 2024. We will meet from 12:00 to 15:15 in room 211 in B6, 30–32, and include breaks as necessary. The course is divided into three blocks. Block A: Foundations offers a general overview of the machine learning landscape, presents a generalized overview of machine learning projects, and provides a first introduction to important mathematical foundations of machine learning algorithms. Block B: Statistical Learning covers a range of popular methods for supervised and unsupervised learning, including classification, regression, and dimensionality reduction. Lastly, Block C: Preview, provides some introductory snapshots of important techniques along the machine learning frontier, such as the analysis of textual and audio-visual data, deep learning, and algorithmic fairness. The topics in this block will be determined by participants’ interests.
The course is taught by Dr. Ruben L. Bach
Course requirements and assessment
Participants can obtain 6 ECTS points by submitting a short paper that presents an application of ML to a research problem rooted in the social sciences by January 31, 2025. The paper should be written in a research note format and should not exceed 3,000 words in length. The word count must be indicated on the title page. The title page, a short abstract of up to 100 words, and all figures and tables count towards the word limit, references and appendices do not.
Schedule
Seminar bi-weekly 09.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 12:00 – 15:15 211 in B6, 30–32 MET: Practical Machine Learning and AI for Social Scientists5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Alexander Scherf
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 5Course Content
This course is designed to guide you through the key steps involved in conducting a comprehensive statistical analysis within the realms of exploratory data analysis with Python.
The course is entirely based on Python and covers statistical modeling, as well as supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques, as well as neural networks. Throughout the course, various statistical problems will be addressed using regression, classification, and clustering models.
The course is structured into three main parts:
Introduction to Python and Essential Machine Learning Libraries: We will start with an overview of Python and the most critical libraries for data science.
Statistics and Statistical Modeling: Next, we will delve into statistics and statistical modeling techniques. Starting at simple regressions and ensemble modeling and working our way through to perceptrons, long-short-term-memory networks, decoders, encoders and transformer architectures.
- Principles of Machine Learning and Neural Networks: Finally, we will explore hands-on the core concepts of machine learning and neural networks.
All attendees need a laptop capable of running comprehensive statistical analyses (>2GB RAM, optional NVIDIA GPU for tensor calculations).
Course requirements & course assessment
This Seminar is pass/
fail without an assignment, but regular attendance is mandatory. Absence can be compensated for by the submission of a Python script. Schedule
Seminar 04.10.24 – 08.11.24 Friday 09:00 – 13:00 310 in B6, 30–32 Link MET: Quantitative Methods (formerly Multivariate Analyses (Theory + Lab Course))6 + 2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 2Course Content
The course introduces students to quantitative methods in political science. During the first half of the course, we will focus on linear regression models. The topics covered include discussions of the mathematical bases for such models, their estimation and interpretation, model assumptions and techniques for addressing violations of those assumptions, and topics related to model specification and functional forms. During the second half of the course, students will be introduced to likelihood as a theory of inference, including models for binary and count data.
The main goals of this course are to develop sound critical judgment about quantitative studies of political problems, to understand the logic of statistical inference, to recognize and understand the basics of the linear regression model, to develop the skills necessary to work with datasets to perform basic quantitative analyses, and to provide a basis of knowledge for more advanced statistical methods.The lab sessions will focus on the practical issues associated with quantitative methods, including obtaining and preparing data sets, how to use statistical software, which tests to use for different kinds of problems, how to graph data effectively for presentation and analysis, and how to interpret results. The seminar will also serve as a software tutorial. No prior knowledge of statistical programming is expected
Course requirements & assessment
Homework, participation, take-home exam (graded)
Schedule
Lecture Introductory session to Quantitatvie Methods lecture and tutorials 03.09.24 Tuesday 12:00 – 13:30 tbc 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 08:30 – 10:00 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link Tutorial Domantas Undzenas 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday plus Wed, 2 Oct in room B318 in A5, 6 entrance B 10:15 – 11:45 A102 in B6, 23–25 Link Lisa-Marie Müller 06.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 10:15 – 11:45 B143 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET: Research Design (Lecture + Tutorial)6 + 3 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 3Course Content
How do we know which research design fits best our research question? What requirements must be in place for good descriptive, causal and predictive inference? How do we estimate causal effects? How do we design and analyze experiments? Can we make causal claims from observational data? Researchers in the social sciences must be able to answer all of these questions.
This course teaches the fundamental concepts behind the estimation of causal effects, including potential obstacles to causal inference. Real-world examples will be discussed in detail and students will apply the techniques learned with real datasets in R. Students will come away with an understanding of how to estimate causal effects in both randomized and observational settings, with a particular focus on the careful design of both types of studies.Tutorial
In the practice sessions, students will learn how to implement causal inference methods in R. Students should bring their own laptop for the all practice sessions. Previous knowledge in R is not necessary although advantageous. Please make also sure to install R and R studio before the first practice session.
Course requirements & assessment
Lecture: Participation, written exam (graded, 90 minutes)
Tutorial: Homework, oral participation, presentationSchedule
Lecture 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 12:00 – 13:30 C217 in A5, 6 entrance C Link Tutorial Danielle Martin 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 A102 in B6, 23–25 Link MET: SMiP – Research Training Group 'Statistical Modeling in Psychology' additional courses (CDSS only)ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCourse Content
SMiP courses open to CDSS doctoral students
Please register online by 21 August 2024 via the SMiP registration page and check the SMiP pages for continuous updates.
MET: SMiP Foundations of Statistical Modeling (CDSS only)6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Course Content
This course gives an advanced overview of standard multivariate methods and current developments in multivariate modeling. The topics include general and generalized linear models, structural equation models, multilevel modeling and specific models for the analysis of time-related effects. In the morning sessions, we will provide the formal foundations and theoretical background of the model classes for continuous and discrete observations. The afternoon sessions focus on empirical applications and hands-on exercises in data analysis.
The goals are to bring the PhD candidates to a common level of statistical knowledge and data analytic skills and to set the stage for the more specialized topics in the Foundations 2 course and workshops in the following semesters.Block 1: Dates: 17 October (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
18 October 2024 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Block 2: Dates: 21 November (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
22 November 2024 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Block 3: Dates: 16 January (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
17 January 2025 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Please register online by 21 August 2024 via the SMiP registration page and check the SMiP pages for continuous updates.
CDSS doctoral students in psychology only who attend all three modules of this course can:
- let it count against the mandatory course Mathematics for Social Scientists (2 ECTS) and have 4 ECTS credited towards elective requirements in the MET module.
- let it count against the core course 'Theory Building and Causal Inference' (6ECTS), which is taught in spring.
Please contact the CDSS Center Manager to discuss the above mentioned possibilities.
MET/POL: Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics: Formal Models in CP (and some in IR) 8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: MET/POL Credits: 8Prerequisites
Topics covered in introductory Game Theory class
Course Content
This course is a continuation of the intro into Game Theory and surveys key applications of game theory with a particular emphasis on the link of theories, methods and empirics. Emphasis will be placed on prominent applications of those concepts in political science, in both comparative and international politics. Topics covered include electoral competition, delegation, political agency, governmental veto players, authoritarian politics, manipulation, war and crisis bargaining. While the focus is on understanding applied work, previous training in game theory is required. Students will build upon their previous game theory training to become informed consumers of scholarship utilizing the methodology and begin to learn how to apply game-theoretic logic to their own work. The course is partly taught from lecture notes, at other times students present a research paper and stimulate discussion in class.
Course requirements & assessment
Class discussion, paper presentation, participation, term paper (graded)
Literature
Various chapters of Scott Gehlbach's Formal Models of Domestic Politics (CUP) and journal articles from different fields
Schedule
Lecture 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 15:30 – 17:00 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET/POL: Game Theory (Theory + Tutorial) 6 + 2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Carlos Gueiros
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: MET/POL Credits: 6 + 2Course Content
The objective of this course is to provide students with the basics of formal modeling in political science. The course has some breadth in coverage in the sense that it provides a graduate-level introduction and overview to di erent areas in game theory. It is also narrow in the sense that the emphasis is not on application and model testing but getting trained in reading and writing down formal models. At the conceptual level the course will cover the following topics: normal form games, Nash equilibria, extensive form games, subgame perfect equilibria, repeated games, bargaining, games with incomplete and imperfect information, Bayesian perfect equilibria, signaling games, preferences and individual choices, basics of decision theory and social choice. At the substantial level, we will use these concepts to study, as examples, candidate competition, political lobbying, and war and deterrence.
Literature- McCarty, Nolan and Adam Meirowitz. 2007. Political Game Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Tadelis, Steven. 2013. Game Theory: An Introduction. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Osborne, Martin. 2003. An Introduction to Game Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Morrow, James. 1994. Game Theory for Political Scientists. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Dixit, Avinash K., Susan Skeath, and David H. Reiley. 2009. Games of Strategy. 3. ed. New York: Norton.
- Hinich, Melvin J. and Michael C. Munger. 1997. Analytical Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Osborne, Martin and Ariel Rubinstein. 2020. Models in Microeconomic Theory. Open Book Publishers.
Course requirements & assessment
Working in small groups on the assignments, online meetings on Zoom in groups, final exam (graded)
Tutorial
This tutorial accompanies the graduate-level introductory lecture in game theory. Its main objective is to practice solution concepts for static and dynamic games of complete and incomplete information.
The contents are centered on the material covered in the lecture. Thus, the following key areas will be discussed: preferences and individual choices, decision theory, normal form games, Nash equilibria, extensive form games, subgame perfect equilibria, repeated games, bargaining, games with incomplete and imperfect information, Bayesian perfect equilibria, signaling games. At the substantial level, we will use these concepts to study, for instance, candidate competition, political lobbying, and war and deterrence. Students are required to submit four problem sets. Moreover, it is essential for students to prepare thoroughly for all sessions using online tutorials. Active participation in class discussions is expected.
Course requirements: Four problem sets.Schedule
Lecture 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 10:15 – 11:45 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link Tutorial Carlos Barbosa Gueiros 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 12:00 – 13:30 C 112 in A5, 6 entrance C 06.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 12:00 – 13:30 B317 in A5, 6 entrance B RES (Bridge course): Lecture series “Data Science in Action”5 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: RES (Bridge course)Credits: 5Course Content
Our colleagues from the Mannheim Center for Data Science are offering a lecture series “Data Science in Action” for the upcoming fall term. The lecture series is online and starts on tbc.
GESS doctoral students can attend the event as a bridge course. In order to receive the 5 ECTS points, you need to take part in at 80% of the lectures and write a 15 page essay (pass/fail assessment).
For more information and registration, please visit the website: https://www.uni-mannheim.de/datascience/details/ringvorlesung-data-science-in-action-hws-2024-donnerstags-12-1330-uhr-online-via-zoom/RES (bridge course): Mental health during dissertations (GESS doctoral students only)5 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: RES (bridge course)Credits: 5Course Content
It is not uncommon for doctoral dissertations to be marked by periods of difficulty and frustration, which can also have an impact on one's mental health. In addition to factors related directly to the dissertation, structural and personal issues may also contribute to mental health challenges.
The objective of this course is to familiarise participants with the typical risk factors and challenging constellations that doctoral students are likely to encounter during their dissertations. The course will consist of literature-informed/guided group discussions of several predefined topics addressing common difficulties encountered during dissertation projects. During the first session(s), the group will decide the particular topics of interest for each of the sessions based on a brief literature discussion and their personal interests. Then, based on selected literature provided by the lecturer, the students will discuss these topics both from an academic standpoint and from their individual perspective/
experience during their dissertation project. Each session will thus serve as information input and offer room for discussion and exchange. The aim of this format is to foster doctoral students’ knowledge about mental health during dissertation projects and facilitate reflection on one's own situation and standpoint in a group of peers. Course requirements & assessment
Doctoral students need to be willing to read articles, and discuss and articulate their own views on typical challenging situations during dissertation projects in guided group discussions.
The course will be taught by Dr. Julia Holl
Schedule
Seminar bi-weekly 18.09.24 – 27.11.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 Room 409 in L9, 1–2 Link 04.12.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 Room 409 in L9, 1–2 SOC: Muslim Immigration and Integration6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: SOCCredits: 6Course Content
Up to the mid-1980s immigration was one of the least politicized issues on the political agenda of European countries. Since then, however, it has become one of the most important topics on the political agenda. Mass immigration has resulted in widespread xenophobia and fierce debates on the difficulties of integrating new arrivals. Muslim migration in particular seems to pose a special challenge to Western Europe, leading to widespread Islamophobia throughout the region. In this seminar we will consider reactions to Muslim immigration in Western Europe at various levels. What kind of policies do the European states implement in order to regulate mass immigration and integration? How do nationals react to this and how can we explain Islamophobia?
Course requirements & assignments
Participation, weekly reading, presentation of an empirical study, term paper (graded)
Schedule
Seminar 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 C116 in A5, 6 entrance C SOC: Organizational Theory6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: SOCCredits: 6Course Content
This advanced seminar will explore classic and recent social science research that seeks to explain variation in organizational behavior and development. We will consider a variety of research questions that tap into both formal and informal ways of organizing: what kinds of institutions are necessary to make economic organization work? Where do such institutions come from? Why do we observe very different outcomes across contexts even though they share the same market-supporting institutions? Why do some organizations survive even though they face the most unfavorable environments? How do conditions at the time of an organization's birth shape its development? To address these and further questions, we will rely both on recent theoretical advances and on empirical studies in a various settings.
Course requirements & assessment
- Presentation of required readings
- Active participation
- Term paper (graded)
Schedule
Seminar 10.10.24 – 21.11.24 Thursday 13:45 – 17:00 C116 in A5, 6 entrance C Link SOC: Poverty and Social Exclusion in Europe6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: SOCCredits: 6Course Content
Poverty and social exclusion are extreme forms of inequality in modern societies. In Europe, these phenomena show up in different forms and imply different consequences for the people at risk. The seminar will provide an introduction into various concepts, dimensions and measures of poverty and social exclusion. We will discuss theories on the causes of poverty and social exclusion, learn about most vulnerable groups in Europe and the variation of poverty and social exclusion in Europe. We focus on consequences of living in poverty and we discuss different policies throughout Europe to lower poverty.
Course requirements & assessment
Regular small assignments (developing research questions based on the readings); compulsory attendance; participating in active discussion. Term paper (max. 5000 words, graded)
Schedule
Seminar bi-weekly 04.09.24 – 27.11.24 Wednesday 08:30 – 11:45 C216 in A5, 6 entrance C SOC: Welfare State Resilience in Times of Crises6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: SOCCredits: 6Course Content
Welfare states provide social protection against social risks, this should hold particularly during a crisis. During a recession, employment protection, unemployment benefits and active labour market policies mitigate the risk of job loss. In addition, minimum income schemes should provide a basic safety net for jobless or low work-intensive households. Also, public pensions provide an income security to people in retirement, while funded pensions maybe negatively affected during a crisis. During the last crises, job retention policies (or short-time work schemes) were sought to limit mass unemployment and secure income during the crisis. However, an economic crisis puts additional pressure on financial sustainability of social spending, leading to austerity reform pressures. The seminar will study how welfare states helped to mitigate economic crises, to absorb the employment shock and adapt to newly arising social risks. Besides more historical economic crises, the Great Recession that started in 2008/
09 and the Great Pandemic since 2020 will be used to study the different welfare state responses across European countries in a comparative perspective. The Hauptseminar considers to which degree welfare states are resilient, that is, are capable of absorbing social risks and adapting to new social problems during a crisis. Course requirements & assessment
Active participation, mandatory readings, oral presentation
Term paper (graded)Schedule
Seminar 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 10:15 – 00:00 C216 in A5, 6 Link -
Political Science
Dissertation Tutorial: Political Science0 ECTSCourse Type: core courseCourse Content
Doctoral theses supervised by professors in the department of Political Science will be discussed.
Please check with individual chairs for dates and times.
BAS: Current Research Perspectives2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: BASCredits: 2Course Content
Description: The course “Current Research Perspectives” introduces first year CDSS doctoral students to the theoretically informed research approaches and substantive research fields that build the stronghold of social science research in Mannheim. A series of talks provide first year CDSS doctoral students with an overview of current scholarly debates and ongoing research in the fields of political science, psychology, and sociology. CDSS faculty members will present an outline of their research fields, report on prime examples of their current research, and provide an outlook on potential topics for future research. Doctoral students will get exposure to the different faculty and have the opportunity to discuss the short talks with the respective lecturer during the remaining discussion time.
Assignment: Come-up with a research project idea that is informed theoretically or methodologically by insights from one or several CDSS faculty presentations (outside of your particular field) in this class. Write-up your idea and describe a potential research design in a short 3-page paper. The paper is due October 31st.
Schedule
Lecture 12.09.24 Thursday 08:30 – 11:45 online Link 13.09.24 Friday 08:30 – 11:45 online 19.09.24 Thursday 08:30 – 00:00 online 20.09.24 Friday 08:30 – 00:00 online BAS: Mathematics for Social Scientists2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Emre Can Oral
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: BASCredits: 2Course Content
It is increasingly important for modern social scientists to have a level of mathematical literacy, as mathematical research methods such as statistics and formal modelling have entered the main stream. This course is intended to provide an introduction to mathematical logic and rigour, and to some fundamental mathematical concepts that form the foundation of the modern subject. The course covers introductory set and function theory, including analysis of functions, and includes sections on both probability and linear algebra, which together are the basis of data analysis.
The exam is scheduled for Friday, 6 December from 2 to 4pm in B 317 in A5, 6 entrance B.
Basic readings:
- Knut Sydsaeter and Peter Hammond. 2008. Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis. 3rd edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall
Additional readings:- Alpha C. Chiang and Kevin Wainwright. 2005. Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics. 4th edition. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill
- Jeff Gill. 2006. Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Malcolm Pemberton and Nicholas Rau. 2007. Mathematics for Economists. 2nd edition. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
- Carl P. Simon and Lawrence E. Blume. 1994. Mathematics for Economists. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. McGraw-Hill.
Schedule
Workshop biweekly 13.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 13:45 – 17:00 B 317 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET: Crafting Social Science Research6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Course Content
All researchers face similar challenges with core issues of research design. A research design is a plan that specifies how you are going to carry out a research project and, particularly, how to use evidence to answer your research question. The goal of this course is to jump-start students with their dissertation proposal. This course should help students to see the trade-offs involved in choosing a particular research design in their research projects. Consequently students are expected to develop own ideas about potential research questions and actively participate in those seminar-style meetings that are organized within this lecture course.
The goal of this course is to jump-start students with their dissertation proposal. Such a proposal is a research outline that delineates the doctoral thesis project, including the motivation for research question(s), the survey of the relevant theoretical and empirical contributions, the development of a theoretical framework, the specification of the methodology and planned empirical analysis. You should be prepared to address the following questions: What makes that an interesting question? Is it an important question? What contributions would this question and the answers make to the scholarly literature? What strategies are there to answer your research question(s)?
This course should help students to see the trade-offs involved in choosing a particular research design in their research projects. Consequently, students are expected to develop own ideas about potential research questions and actively participate in those seminar-style meetings that are organized within this lecture course.Course requirements & assessment
Mandatory readings, active participation in class, homework assignments, presentation of research proposal and performing as a discussant of proposals of peers in a workshop format, research proposal term paper (circa 10 pages, graded)
Schedule
Workshop 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 211 in B6, 30–32 Link MET: Quantitative Methods (formerly Multivariate Analyses (Theory + Lab Course))6 + 2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 2Course Content
The course introduces students to quantitative methods in political science. During the first half of the course, we will focus on linear regression models. The topics covered include discussions of the mathematical bases for such models, their estimation and interpretation, model assumptions and techniques for addressing violations of those assumptions, and topics related to model specification and functional forms. During the second half of the course, students will be introduced to likelihood as a theory of inference, including models for binary and count data.
The main goals of this course are to develop sound critical judgment about quantitative studies of political problems, to understand the logic of statistical inference, to recognize and understand the basics of the linear regression model, to develop the skills necessary to work with datasets to perform basic quantitative analyses, and to provide a basis of knowledge for more advanced statistical methods.The lab sessions will focus on the practical issues associated with quantitative methods, including obtaining and preparing data sets, how to use statistical software, which tests to use for different kinds of problems, how to graph data effectively for presentation and analysis, and how to interpret results. The seminar will also serve as a software tutorial. No prior knowledge of statistical programming is expected
Course requirements & assessment
Homework, participation, take-home exam (graded)
Schedule
Lecture Introductory session to Quantitative Methods lecture and tutorials 03.09.24 Tuesday 12:00 – 13:30 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 08:30 – 10:00 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link Tutorial Domantas Undzenas 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday plus Wed, 2 Oct in room B318 in A5, 6 entrance B 10:15 – 11:45 A102 in B6, 23–25 Link Lisa-Marie Müller 06.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 10:15 – 11:45 B143 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET/POL: Game Theory (Theory + Tutorial) 6 + 2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Carlos Gueiros
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: MET/POL Credits: 6 + 2Course Content
The objective of this course is to provide students with the basics of formal modeling in political science. The course has some breadth in coverage in the sense that it provides a graduate-level introduction and overview to di erent areas in game theory. It is also narrow in the sense that the emphasis is not on application and model testing but getting trained in reading and writing down formal models. At the conceptual level the course will cover the following topics: normal form games, Nash equilibria, extensive form games, subgame perfect equilibria, repeated games, bargaining, games with incomplete and imperfect information, Bayesian perfect equilibria, signaling games, preferences and individual choices, basics of decision theory and social choice. At the substantial level, we will use these concepts to study, as examples, candidate competition, political lobbying, and war and deterrence.
Literature- McCarty, Nolan and Adam Meirowitz. 2007. Political Game Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Tadelis, Steven. 2013. Game Theory: An Introduction. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Osborne, Martin. 2003. An Introduction to Game Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Morrow, James. 1994. Game Theory for Political Scientists. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Dixit, Avinash K., Susan Skeath, and David H. Reiley. 2009. Games of Strategy. 3. ed. New York: Norton.
- Hinich, Melvin J. and Michael C. Munger. 1997. Analytical Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Osborne, Martin and Ariel Rubinstein. 2020. Models in Microeconomic Theory. Open Book Publishers.
Course requirements & assessment
Working in small groups on the assignments, online meetings on Zoom in groups, final exam (graded)
Tutorial
This tutorial accompanies the graduate-level introductory lecture in game theory. Its main objective is to practice solution concepts for static and dynamic games of complete and incomplete information.
The contents are centered on the material covered in the lecture. Thus, the following key areas will be discussed: preferences and individual choices, decision theory, normal form games, Nash equilibria, extensive form games, subgame perfect equilibria, repeated games, bargaining, games with incomplete and imperfect information, Bayesian perfect equilibria, signaling games. At the substantial level, we will use these concepts to study, for instance, candidate competition, political lobbying, and war and deterrence. Students are required to submit four problem sets. Moreover, it is essential for students to prepare thoroughly for all sessions using online tutorials. Active participation in class discussions is expected.
Course requirements: Four problem sets.Schedule
Lecture 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 10:15 – 11:45 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link Tutorial Carlos Barbosa Gueiros 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 12:00 – 13:30 C 112 in A5, 6 entrance C 06.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 12:00 – 13:30 B317 in A5, 6 entrance B RES: CDSS Workshop: Political Science2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Course Content
Participation is mandatory for first to third year CDSS students of Political Science. Participation is recommended for later CDSS PhD candidates, but to no credit.
Other young researchers in the social sciences affiliated with the University of Mannheim (incl. MZES) are also invited to attend the talks.
The goal of this course is to provide support and crucial feedback for CDSS doctoral students on their ongoing dissertation project. In this workshop they are expected to play two roles – provide feedback to their peers as well as present their own work in order to receive feedback.
In order to receive useful feedback, participants are asked to circulate their paper and two related published pieces of research one week before the talk.
Schedule
Workshop 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 12:00 – 13:30 211 in B6, 30–32 RES: Colloquia2 ECTSCourse Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Course Content
CDSS doctoral students in political science and sociology can choose freely which weekly colloquium to attend. Colloquia must be attended regularly in year two and three of doctoral studies.
Please choose from
MZES Colloquium A “European Societies and their Integration”
MZES Colloquium B “European Political Systems and their Integration”
Please refer to the MZES web page for all further details. The talk announcements will be communicated via the CDSS mailing list as well.
Alternatively you can attend the Mannheim Research Colloquium on Survey Methods (MaRCS) or the MZES Social Science Data Lab, which will be announced through the Faculty of Social Sciences mailing list.
MET: Computational Social Science Methods and Digital Behavioral Data6 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Prerequisites
Please bring your own laptops for use in the course. At least basic knowledge of R is required.
Course Content
Computational Social Science is a young research field at the intersection of various social science disciplines, data science and computer science. The goal is to gain new insights into society through large amounts of data and the direct observation of human behavior. CSS relies on two cornerstones: digital behavioral data, which can be collected from online platforms or sensors like smartphones, and computer science methods such as automated text analysis to create appropriate measures for social science research questions. In the course, students will get to know foundational studies, theories and methods used in the field of CSS. We will discuss infrastructural, ethical and legal challenges and how to navigate these to devise appropriate research designs in CSS.
The course will be application oriented. Students will familiarize themselves with the main applications of CSS methods and implement them in R. The range of applications will cover data management and preprocessing, the application of machine learning, data and results visualization, statistical data analysis and the validation of results. The hands-on application examples will cover questions from various research fields and different data types like social media data or web browsing histories. Equipped with this theoretical and methodological toolkit, students will develop their own CSS research projects.The course will be taught by Prof. Sebastian Stier.
Course requirements & assessment
Regular small assignments (programming homework, developing research questions and your own project); compulsory attendance; participating in discussions. Written term paper based on an analysis in R graded, (max. 5000 words), deadline: July 31, 2024
Schedule
Seminar 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 15:30 – 17:00 B317 in A5, 6 entrance B MET: Cross Sectional Data Analysis (Lecture + Tutorial)6 + 3 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 3Prerequisites
Sound understanding of linear regression models (OLS), knowledge in linear algebra and calculus, and being familiar with the statistical package Stata.
Course Content
The main focus lies on the introduction to statistical models and estimators beyond linear regression useful to a social scientists. A good understanding of the classical linear regression model is a prerequisite and required for the further topics of the course. We will first discuss violations of the asymptotic properties of the linear regression model and ways to address these violations (heteroscedasticity, endogeneity, proxy variables, IV-estimator). The second part of the class is dedicated to rst the maximum likelihood estimator and second to generalized linear models (GLS) for binary choice decisions (Logit, Probit), ordinal dependent variables, and count data (Poisson, Negative Binomial). Classes will be accompanied by lab sessions to repeat and practice the topics from the classes. We will use the statistical package Stata.
Course requirements & assessment
- Regular and active participation in the lab sessions.
- Presentation of a weekly exercise; you must hand in the slides of the presentation, the Stata syntax file and output of the respective exercise, and a short output interpretation.
- written exam (graded, 90 min)
Credits (9 ECTS for lecture & tutorial) will be awarded based on a passed written exam. Participation in the final exam is subject to having passed all course requirements as stated above.
Schedule
Lecture 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 A103 in B6, 23–25 Link Tutorial Danielle Martin 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 15:30 – 17:00 C116 in A5, 6 entrance C Sandra Morgenstern 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 10:15 – 11:45 B318 in A5, 6 entrance B MET: Machine Learning for Social Scientists (CDSS doctoral students only)6 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Prerequisites
Participants must understand basic linear algebra, graduate-level statistics, and quantitative methods. Furthermore, they should be familiar with at least one programming language (R / Python).
Course Content
Machine learning algorithms – the backend of computational programs that can learn to perform tasks from data – already permeate many spheres of life. Next to its omnipresence in everyday technology, machine learning has become an important toolbox for research and decision-making in academia, government, business, and civil society – and its importance continues to grow by the day. This course introduces participants to popular topics in machine learning. We will cover the mathematical foundations, algorithmic mechanics, and the applied use of pertinent machine-learning techniques.
Course structure
The course will meet bi-weekly, starting Sep 9, 2024. The last session will be on Dec 2, 2024. We will meet from 12:00 to 15:15 in room 211 in B6, 30–32, and include breaks as necessary. The course is divided into three blocks. Block A: Foundations offers a general overview of the machine learning landscape, presents a generalized overview of machine learning projects, and provides a first introduction to important mathematical foundations of machine learning algorithms. Block B: Statistical Learning covers a range of popular methods for supervised and unsupervised learning, including classification, regression, and dimensionality reduction. Lastly, Block C: Preview, provides some introductory snapshots of important techniques along the machine learning frontier, such as the analysis of textual and audio-visual data, deep learning, and algorithmic fairness. The topics in this block will be determined by participants’ interests.
The course is taught by Dr. Ruben L. Bach
Course requirements and assessment
Participants can obtain 6 ECTS points by submitting a short paper that presents an application of ML to a research problem rooted in the social sciences by January 31, 2025. The paper should be written in a research note format and should not exceed 3,000 words in length. The word count must be indicated on the title page. The title page, a short abstract of up to 100 words, and all figures and tables count towards the word limit, references and appendices do not.
Schedule
Seminar bi-weekly 09.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 12:00 – 15:15 211 in B6, 30–32 MET: Practical Machine Learning and AI for Social Scientists5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Alexander Scherf
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 5Course Content
This course is designed to guide you through the key steps involved in conducting a comprehensive statistical analysis within the realms of exploratory data analysis with Python.
The course is entirely based on Python and covers statistical modeling, as well as supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques, as well as neural networks. Throughout the course, various statistical problems will be addressed using regression, classification, and clustering models.
The course is structured into three main parts:
Introduction to Python and Essential Machine Learning Libraries: We will start with an overview of Python and the most critical libraries for data science.
Statistics and Statistical Modeling: Next, we will delve into statistics and statistical modeling techniques. Starting at simple regressions and ensemble modeling and working our way through to perceptrons, long-short-term-memory networks, decoders, encoders and transformer architectures.
- Principles of Machine Learning and Neural Networks: Finally, we will explore hands-on the core concepts of machine learning and neural networks.
All attendees need a laptop capable of running comprehensive statistical analyses (>2GB RAM, optional NVIDIA GPU for tensor calculations).
Course requirements & course assessment
This Seminar is pass/
fail without an assignment, but regular attendance is mandatory. Absence can be compensated for by the submission of a Python script. Schedule
Seminar 04.10.24 – 08.11.24 Friday 09:00 – 13:00 310 in B6, 30–32 Link MET: Research Design (Lecture + Tutorial)6 + 3 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 3Course Content
How do we know which research design fits best our research question? What requirements must be in place for good descriptive, causal and predictive inference? How do we estimate causal effects? How do we design and analyze experiments? Can we make causal claims from observational data? Researchers in the social sciences must be able to answer all of these questions.
This course teaches the fundamental concepts behind the estimation of causal effects, including potential obstacles to causal inference. Real-world examples will be discussed in detail and students will apply the techniques learned with real datasets in R. Students will come away with an understanding of how to estimate causal effects in both randomized and observational settings, with a particular focus on the careful design of both types of studies.Tutorial
In the practice sessions, students will learn how to implement causal inference methods in R. Students should bring their own laptop for the all practice sessions. Previous knowledge in R is not necessary although advantageous. Please make also sure to install R and R studio before the first practice session.
Course requirements & assessment
Lecture: Participation, written exam (graded, 90 minutes)
Tutorial: Homework, oral participation, presentationSchedule
Lecture 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 12:00 – 13:30 C217 in A5, 6 entrance C Link Tutorial Danielle Martin 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 A102 in B6, 23–25 Link MET: SMiP – Research Training Group 'Statistical Modeling in Psychology' additional courses (CDSS only)ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCourse Content
SMiP courses open to CDSS doctoral students
Please register online by 21 August 2024 via the SMiP registration page and check the SMiP pages for continuous updates.
MET: SMiP Foundations of Statistical Modeling (CDSS only)6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Course Content
This course gives an advanced overview of standard multivariate methods and current developments in multivariate modeling. The topics include general and generalized linear models, structural equation models, multilevel modeling and specific models for the analysis of time-related effects. In the morning sessions, we will provide the formal foundations and theoretical background of the model classes for continuous and discrete observations. The afternoon sessions focus on empirical applications and hands-on exercises in data analysis.
The goals are to bring the PhD candidates to a common level of statistical knowledge and data analytic skills and to set the stage for the more specialized topics in the Foundations 2 course and workshops in the following semesters.Block 1: Dates: 17 October (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
18 October 2024 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Block 2: Dates: 21 November (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
22 November 2024 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Block 3: Dates: 16 January (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
17 January 2025 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Please register online by 21 August 2024 via the SMiP registration page and check the SMiP pages for continuous updates.
CDSS doctoral students in psychology only who attend all three modules of this course can:
- let it count against the mandatory course Mathematics for Social Scientists (2 ECTS) and have 4 ECTS credited towards elective requirements in the MET module.
- let it count against the core course 'Theory Building and Causal Inference' (6ECTS), which is taught in spring.
Please contact the CDSS Center Manager to discuss the above mentioned possibilities.
MET/POL: Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics: Formal Models in CP (and some in IR) 8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: MET/POL Credits: 8Prerequisites
Topics covered in introductory Game Theory class
Course Content
This course is a continuation of the intro into Game Theory and surveys key applications of game theory with a particular emphasis on the link of theories, methods and empirics. Emphasis will be placed on prominent applications of those concepts in political science, in both comparative and international politics. Topics covered include electoral competition, delegation, political agency, governmental veto players, authoritarian politics, manipulation, war and crisis bargaining. While the focus is on understanding applied work, previous training in game theory is required. Students will build upon their previous game theory training to become informed consumers of scholarship utilizing the methodology and begin to learn how to apply game-theoretic logic to their own work. The course is partly taught from lecture notes, at other times students present a research paper and stimulate discussion in class.
Course requirements & assessment
Class discussion, paper presentation, participation, term paper (graded)
Literature
Various chapters of Scott Gehlbach's Formal Models of Domestic Politics (CUP) and journal articles from different fields
Schedule
Lecture 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 15:30 – 17:00 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link POL: Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics: Applied Causal InferenceECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: POLCourse Content
This course will provide students with hands‐on practice in using data from experimental and quasi‐experimental studies to estimate treatment effects. Specifically, the course will provide training in (1) the analysis of randomized experiments, (2) instrumental variables analysis, (3) regression discontinuity analysis, (4) matching methods, (5) difference‐in‐differences, (6) synthetic controls, and (7) panel matching. The course is designed for MA and PhD students with prior training in applied multivariate regression techniques.
The course is structured in two-week “units.” Typically, the first class meeting of each unit will include a lecture describing a specific method of analysis. Students then apply what they have learned by working together on problem sets outside of class. The second class session of each unit will then be devoted to student presentations of their analyses and Q&A.This course will be taught by Nan Zhang, PhD
Schedule
Seminar 06.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 13:45 – 15:15 C116 in A5, 6 entrance C Link POL: Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics: Political Behavior in Context8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: POLCredits: 8Course Content
Political behavior takes place in context. This statement is a truism and implies several challenges at the same time. Context is a multidimensional concept comprising – inter alia – social, political, and institutional features. At the conceptual and theoretical level, the diversity of dimensions requires careful consideration of how to integrate contextual features into individual-level models of political behavior. Moreover, combining data from different levels of aggregation to examine the role of contexts in individual-level behavior raises several methodological issues. In this seminar, we will address the conceptual, theoretical, and methodological issues in the analysis of contextual effects on individual-level political behavior. Students will review empirical studies in the field and prepare research papers in which they analyze specific questions using available data sets.
Course requirements & assessment
Oral presentation of a literature review and active participation during the sessions, term paper (ca. 8.000 words, graded)
Schedule
Seminar 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 13:45 – 15:15 B318 in A5, 6 entrance B Link POL: Advanced Topics in International Politics: the Politics of Human Rights8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: POLCredits: 8Course Content
Why do governments engage in repression of citizens? This seminar introduces students to foundational and recent research on human rights violations and repression around the world. We start by defining human rights and how they can be observed and measured. We discuss conditions that facilitate repression with particular focus on the role of democratic institutions and international human rights norms. The seminar sheds light on how governments organize repression, and we investigate different perpetrators of repression and how actors aim to justify or obfuscate state violence. We will also consider the role of the international community on influencing domestic processes of human rights protection and violation. Over the course of the seminar, you will develop your own research question on one of the topics discussed in the seminar and carrying out your own research.
Course requirements & assessment
- Participation: Reading, discussion and analysis of academic literature, development and discussion of research questions, group discussions (Vorleistung)
- Short summary of a dataset (Vorleistung)
- Brief presentation of an academic article (Vorleistung)
- Discussion of another student’s research proposal (5–10 minutes) (Vorleistung)
- Written research proposal (Vorleistung)
- Term paper (graded)
Schedule
Seminar 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 B143 in A5, 6 entrance B Link POL: International Political Economy8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: POLCredits: 8Course Content
This lecture offers an introduction to current research topics in the field of International Political Economy (IPE). After introducing what it means to study IPE in the age of globalization, the course addresses four major themes of current IPE research.
1) In the first part on international trade, we will learn about the opportunities and challenges that come with the intensifying exchange of goods across the globe.
2) In the second part on international finance, we will focus on how global financial flows interact with political and economic stability, instability, and crises.
3) In the third part on international development, we will learn about global economic inequality and understand its links to development cooperation and migration.
4) In the fourth part on international institutions, we will focus on the role that international institutions and organizations play in the globalized economy.Course requirements & assessment
Active participation, term paper (graded)
Schedule
Lecture 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 B244 in A5,6 entrance B RES (Bridge course): Lecture series “Data Science in Action”5 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: RES (Bridge course)Credits: 5Course Content
Our colleagues from the Mannheim Center for Data Science are offering a lecture series “Data Science in Action” for the upcoming fall term. The lecture series is online and starts on tbc.
GESS doctoral students can attend the event as a bridge course. In order to receive the 5 ECTS points, you need to take part in at 80% of the lectures and write a 15 page essay (pass/fail assessment).
For more information and registration, please visit the website: https://www.uni-mannheim.de/datascience/details/ringvorlesung-data-science-in-action-hws-2024-donnerstags-12-1330-uhr-online-via-zoom/RES (bridge course): Mental health during dissertations (GESS doctoral students only)5 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: RES (bridge course)Credits: 5Course Content
It is not uncommon for doctoral dissertations to be marked by periods of difficulty and frustration, which can also have an impact on one's mental health. In addition to factors related directly to the dissertation, structural and personal issues may also contribute to mental health challenges.
The objective of this course is to familiarise participants with the typical risk factors and challenging constellations that doctoral students are likely to encounter during their dissertations. The course will consist of literature-informed/guided group discussions of several predefined topics addressing common difficulties encountered during dissertation projects. During the first session(s), the group will decide the particular topics of interest for each of the sessions based on a brief literature discussion and their personal interests. Then, based on selected literature provided by the lecturer, the students will discuss these topics both from an academic standpoint and from their individual perspective/
experience during their dissertation project. Each session will thus serve as information input and offer room for discussion and exchange. The aim of this format is to foster doctoral students’ knowledge about mental health during dissertation projects and facilitate reflection on one's own situation and standpoint in a group of peers. Course requirements & assessment
Doctoral students need to be willing to read articles, and discuss and articulate their own views on typical challenging situations during dissertation projects in guided group discussions.
The course will be taught by Dr. Julia Holl
Schedule
Seminar bi-weekly 18.09.24 – 27.11.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 Room 409 in L9, 1–2 Link 04.12.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 Room 409 in L9, 1–2 -
Psychology
BAS: Current Research Perspectives2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: BASCredits: 2Course Content
Description: The course “Current Research Perspectives” introduces first year CDSS doctoral students to the theoretically informed research approaches and substantive research fields that build the stronghold of social science research in Mannheim. A series of talks provide first year CDSS doctoral students with an overview of current scholarly debates and ongoing research in the fields of political science, psychology, and sociology. CDSS faculty members will present an outline of their research fields, report on prime examples of their current research, and provide an outlook on potential topics for future research. Doctoral students will get exposure to the different faculty and have the opportunity to discuss the short talks with the respective lecturer during the remaining discussion time.
Assignment: Come-up with a research project idea that is informed theoretically or methodologically by insights from one or several CDSS faculty presentations (outside of your particular field) in this class. Write-up your idea and describe a potential research design in a short 3-page paper. The paper is due October 31st.
Schedule
Lecture 12.09.24 Thursday 08:30 – 11:45 online Link 13.09.24 Friday 08:30 – 11:45 online 19.09.24 Thursday 08:30 – 00:00 online 20.09.24 Friday 08:30 – 00:00 online BAS: Mathematics for Social Scientists2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Emre Can Oral
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: BASCredits: 2Course Content
It is increasingly important for modern social scientists to have a level of mathematical literacy, as mathematical research methods such as statistics and formal modelling have entered the main stream. This course is intended to provide an introduction to mathematical logic and rigour, and to some fundamental mathematical concepts that form the foundation of the modern subject. The course covers introductory set and function theory, including analysis of functions, and includes sections on both probability and linear algebra, which together are the basis of data analysis.
The exam is scheduled for Friday, 6 December from 2 to 4pm in B 317 in A5, 6 entrance B.
Basic readings:
- Knut Sydsaeter and Peter Hammond. 2008. Essential Mathematics for Economic Analysis. 3rd edition. Harlow: Prentice Hall
Additional readings:- Alpha C. Chiang and Kevin Wainwright. 2005. Fundamental Methods of Mathematical Economics. 4th edition. Boston, Mass.: McGraw-Hill
- Jeff Gill. 2006. Essential Mathematics for Political and Social Research. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Malcolm Pemberton and Nicholas Rau. 2007. Mathematics for Economists. 2nd edition. Manchester: Manchester University Press.
- Carl P. Simon and Lawrence E. Blume. 1994. Mathematics for Economists. New York: W. W. Norton & Company. McGraw-Hill.
Schedule
Workshop biweekly 13.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 13:45 – 17:00 B 317 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET: Crafting Social Science Research6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Course Content
All researchers face similar challenges with core issues of research design. A research design is a plan that specifies how you are going to carry out a research project and, particularly, how to use evidence to answer your research question. The goal of this course is to jump-start students with their dissertation proposal. This course should help students to see the trade-offs involved in choosing a particular research design in their research projects. Consequently students are expected to develop own ideas about potential research questions and actively participate in those seminar-style meetings that are organized within this lecture course.
The goal of this course is to jump-start students with their dissertation proposal. Such a proposal is a research outline that delineates the doctoral thesis project, including the motivation for research question(s), the survey of the relevant theoretical and empirical contributions, the development of a theoretical framework, the specification of the methodology and planned empirical analysis. You should be prepared to address the following questions: What makes that an interesting question? Is it an important question? What contributions would this question and the answers make to the scholarly literature? What strategies are there to answer your research question(s)?
This course should help students to see the trade-offs involved in choosing a particular research design in their research projects. Consequently, students are expected to develop own ideas about potential research questions and actively participate in those seminar-style meetings that are organized within this lecture course.Course requirements & assessment
Mandatory readings, active participation in class, homework assignments, presentation of research proposal and performing as a discussant of proposals of peers in a workshop format, research proposal term paper (circa 10 pages, graded)
Schedule
Workshop 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 10:15 – 11:45 211 in B6, 30–32 Link RES: AC2/BC3 Colloquia I 2 ECTSCourse Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Prerequisites
Please check with individual chairs in the Psychology Department for dates and times of research colloquia as well as registration.
All 2nd and 3rd year doctoral students must attend the colloquia in order to receive the 2 ECTS.
RES: CDSS Workshop: Research in Clinical Psychology2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Prerequisites
Participation is mandatory for first to third year CDSS doctoral students of psychology. Participation is recommended for later CDSS doctoral students, but to no credit.
Each spring term there will be a joint CDSS Workshop that all CDSS doctoral students of psychology attend. Each autumn term you will have the choice between three CDSS Workshops with a focus on either clinical, cognitive or social research.
Course Content
Research in Clinical Psychology: We invite CDSS candidates to discuss their research with experts in the field. The chair of Clinical Psychology and Biological Psychology and Psychotherapy pursues a wide range of topics and brings together a large spectrum of research approaches. We address open questions regarding each step of creative research and prolific publication of our scientific results. Each week we select one or two of our own projects for our discussion.
Literature: References will be given during the course.Competences acquired
Improvement in research skills and communication of research results.
Schedule
Workshop 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 13:00 – 14:00 016–017 in L 13, 15–17 RES: CDSS Workshop: Research in Cognitive Psychology2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Prerequisites
Participation is mandatory for first to third year CDSS doctoral students of psychology. Participation is recommended for later CDSS doctoral students, but to no credit.
Each spring term there will be a joint CDSS Workshop that all CDSS doctoral students of psychology attend. Each autumn term you will have the choice between three CDSS Workshops with a focus on either clinical, cognitive or social research.
Course Content
Research in Cognitive Psychology: Research projects in cognitive psychology and neuropsychology are planned, conducted, analyzed, and discussed.
Application via 'Studierendenportal' is necessary to have access to the course material provided in ILIAS.
Open office hours:
Prof. Dr. Erdfelder: Thursday, 10.15h – 11.45h.
Literature: References will be given during the course.Competences acquired
Improvement in research skills and communication of research results.
Schedule
Workshop 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 15:30 – 17:00 A 102 in B6, 23–25 Link RES: CDSS Workshop: Research in Social Cognition2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: core courseCourse Number: RESCredits: 2Prerequisites
Participation is mandatory for first to third year CDSS doctoral students of psychology. Participation is recommended for later CDSS doctoral students, but to no credit.
Each spring term there will be a joint CDSS Workshop that all CDSS doctoral students of psychology attend. Each autumn term you will have the choice between three CDSS Workshops with a focus on either clinical, cognitive or social research.
Course Content
This seminar has a particular focus on research activities in social psychology. Unlike seminars that concentrate on one core thematic topic, this seminar will address a selected variety of different research topics in current social psychology. In each seminar session we will have a presentation either by participating doctoral students or by members of the social psychology group. Each presentation will address a current research topic in social psychology. The seminar provides the opportunity to actively discuss methodological, theoretical, and applied implications of the presented research. A particular focus will rest on the discussion of general methodological aspects.
Literature: Will be announced in the seminarSchedule
Workshop 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 10:15 – 11:45 C217 in A5, 6 entrance C Link MET: Computational Social Science Methods and Digital Behavioral Data6 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Prerequisites
Please bring your own laptops for use in the course. At least basic knowledge of R is required.
Course Content
Computational Social Science is a young research field at the intersection of various social science disciplines, data science and computer science. The goal is to gain new insights into society through large amounts of data and the direct observation of human behavior. CSS relies on two cornerstones: digital behavioral data, which can be collected from online platforms or sensors like smartphones, and computer science methods such as automated text analysis to create appropriate measures for social science research questions. In the course, students will get to know foundational studies, theories and methods used in the field of CSS. We will discuss infrastructural, ethical and legal challenges and how to navigate these to devise appropriate research designs in CSS.
The course will be application oriented. Students will familiarize themselves with the main applications of CSS methods and implement them in R. The range of applications will cover data management and preprocessing, the application of machine learning, data and results visualization, statistical data analysis and the validation of results. The hands-on application examples will cover questions from various research fields and different data types like social media data or web browsing histories. Equipped with this theoretical and methodological toolkit, students will develop their own CSS research projects.The course will be taught by Prof. Sebastian Stier.
Course requirements & assessment
Regular small assignments (programming homework, developing research questions and your own project); compulsory attendance; participating in discussions. Written term paper based on an analysis in R graded, (max. 5000 words), deadline: July 31, 2024
Schedule
Seminar 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 15:30 – 17:00 B317 in A5, 6 entrance B MET: Cross Sectional Data Analysis (Lecture + Tutorial)6 + 3 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 3Prerequisites
Sound understanding of linear regression models (OLS), knowledge in linear algebra and calculus, and being familiar with the statistical package Stata.
Course Content
The main focus lies on the introduction to statistical models and estimators beyond linear regression useful to a social scientists. A good understanding of the classical linear regression model is a prerequisite and required for the further topics of the course. We will first discuss violations of the asymptotic properties of the linear regression model and ways to address these violations (heteroscedasticity, endogeneity, proxy variables, IV-estimator). The second part of the class is dedicated to rst the maximum likelihood estimator and second to generalized linear models (GLS) for binary choice decisions (Logit, Probit), ordinal dependent variables, and count data (Poisson, Negative Binomial). Classes will be accompanied by lab sessions to repeat and practice the topics from the classes. We will use the statistical package Stata.
Course requirements & assessment
- Regular and active participation in the lab sessions.
- Presentation of a weekly exercise; you must hand in the slides of the presentation, the Stata syntax file and output of the respective exercise, and a short output interpretation.
- written exam (graded, 90 min)
Credits (9 ECTS for lecture & tutorial) will be awarded based on a passed written exam. Participation in the final exam is subject to having passed all course requirements as stated above.
Schedule
Lecture 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 13:45 – 15:15 A103 in B6, 23–25 Link Tutorial Danielle Martin 03.09.24 – 03.12.24 Tuesday 15:30 – 17:00 C116 in A5, 6 entrance C Sandra Morgenstern 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 10:15 – 11:45 B318 in A5, 6 entrance B MET: Machine Learning for Social Scientists (CDSS doctoral students only)6 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Prerequisites
Participants must understand basic linear algebra, graduate-level statistics, and quantitative methods. Furthermore, they should be familiar with at least one programming language (R / Python).
Course Content
Machine learning algorithms – the backend of computational programs that can learn to perform tasks from data – already permeate many spheres of life. Next to its omnipresence in everyday technology, machine learning has become an important toolbox for research and decision-making in academia, government, business, and civil society – and its importance continues to grow by the day. This course introduces participants to popular topics in machine learning. We will cover the mathematical foundations, algorithmic mechanics, and the applied use of pertinent machine-learning techniques.
Course structure
The course will meet bi-weekly, starting Sep 9, 2024. The last session will be on Dec 2, 2024. We will meet from 12:00 to 15:15 in room 211 in B6, 30–32, and include breaks as necessary. The course is divided into three blocks. Block A: Foundations offers a general overview of the machine learning landscape, presents a generalized overview of machine learning projects, and provides a first introduction to important mathematical foundations of machine learning algorithms. Block B: Statistical Learning covers a range of popular methods for supervised and unsupervised learning, including classification, regression, and dimensionality reduction. Lastly, Block C: Preview, provides some introductory snapshots of important techniques along the machine learning frontier, such as the analysis of textual and audio-visual data, deep learning, and algorithmic fairness. The topics in this block will be determined by participants’ interests.
The course is taught by Dr. Ruben L. Bach
Course requirements and assessment
Participants can obtain 6 ECTS points by submitting a short paper that presents an application of ML to a research problem rooted in the social sciences by January 31, 2025. The paper should be written in a research note format and should not exceed 3,000 words in length. The word count must be indicated on the title page. The title page, a short abstract of up to 100 words, and all figures and tables count towards the word limit, references and appendices do not.
Schedule
Seminar bi-weekly 09.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 12:00 – 15:15 211 in B6, 30–32 MET: Practical Machine Learning and AI for Social Scientists5 ECTSLecturer(s)
Alexander Scherf
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 5Course Content
This course is designed to guide you through the key steps involved in conducting a comprehensive statistical analysis within the realms of exploratory data analysis with Python.
The course is entirely based on Python and covers statistical modeling, as well as supervised and unsupervised machine learning techniques, as well as neural networks. Throughout the course, various statistical problems will be addressed using regression, classification, and clustering models.
The course is structured into three main parts:
Introduction to Python and Essential Machine Learning Libraries: We will start with an overview of Python and the most critical libraries for data science.
Statistics and Statistical Modeling: Next, we will delve into statistics and statistical modeling techniques. Starting at simple regressions and ensemble modeling and working our way through to perceptrons, long-short-term-memory networks, decoders, encoders and transformer architectures.
- Principles of Machine Learning and Neural Networks: Finally, we will explore hands-on the core concepts of machine learning and neural networks.
All attendees need a laptop capable of running comprehensive statistical analyses (>2GB RAM, optional NVIDIA GPU for tensor calculations).
Course requirements & course assessment
This Seminar is pass/
fail without an assignment, but regular attendance is mandatory. Absence can be compensated for by the submission of a Python script. Schedule
Seminar 04.10.24 – 08.11.24 Friday 09:00 – 13:00 310 in B6, 30–32 Link MET: Quantitative Methods (formerly Multivariate Analyses (Theory + Lab Course))6 + 2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 2Course Content
The course introduces students to quantitative methods in political science. During the first half of the course, we will focus on linear regression models. The topics covered include discussions of the mathematical bases for such models, their estimation and interpretation, model assumptions and techniques for addressing violations of those assumptions, and topics related to model specification and functional forms. During the second half of the course, students will be introduced to likelihood as a theory of inference, including models for binary and count data.
The main goals of this course are to develop sound critical judgment about quantitative studies of political problems, to understand the logic of statistical inference, to recognize and understand the basics of the linear regression model, to develop the skills necessary to work with datasets to perform basic quantitative analyses, and to provide a basis of knowledge for more advanced statistical methods.The lab sessions will focus on the practical issues associated with quantitative methods, including obtaining and preparing data sets, how to use statistical software, which tests to use for different kinds of problems, how to graph data effectively for presentation and analysis, and how to interpret results. The seminar will also serve as a software tutorial. No prior knowledge of statistical programming is expected
Course requirements & assessment
Homework, participation, take-home exam (graded)
Schedule
Lecture Introductory session to Quantitatvie Methods lecture and tutorials 03.09.24 Tuesday 12:00 – 13:30 tbc 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 08:30 – 10:00 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link Tutorial Domantas Undzenas 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday plus Wed, 2 Oct in room B318 in A5, 6 entrance B 10:15 – 11:45 A102 in B6, 23–25 Link Lisa-Marie Müller 06.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 10:15 – 11:45 B143 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET: Research Design (Lecture + Tutorial)6 + 3 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6 + 3Course Content
How do we know which research design fits best our research question? What requirements must be in place for good descriptive, causal and predictive inference? How do we estimate causal effects? How do we design and analyze experiments? Can we make causal claims from observational data? Researchers in the social sciences must be able to answer all of these questions.
This course teaches the fundamental concepts behind the estimation of causal effects, including potential obstacles to causal inference. Real-world examples will be discussed in detail and students will apply the techniques learned with real datasets in R. Students will come away with an understanding of how to estimate causal effects in both randomized and observational settings, with a particular focus on the careful design of both types of studies.Tutorial
In the practice sessions, students will learn how to implement causal inference methods in R. Students should bring their own laptop for the all practice sessions. Previous knowledge in R is not necessary although advantageous. Please make also sure to install R and R studio before the first practice session.
Course requirements & assessment
Lecture: Participation, written exam (graded, 90 minutes)
Tutorial: Homework, oral participation, presentationSchedule
Lecture 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 12:00 – 13:30 C217 in A5, 6 entrance C Link Tutorial Danielle Martin 04.09.24 – 04.12.24 Wednesday 13:45 – 15:15 A102 in B6, 23–25 Link MET: SMiP – Research Training Group 'Statistical Modeling in Psychology' additional courses (CDSS only)ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCourse Content
SMiP courses open to CDSS doctoral students
Please register online by 21 August 2024 via the SMiP registration page and check the SMiP pages for continuous updates.
MET: SMiP Foundations of Statistical Modeling (CDSS only)6 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: METCredits: 6Course Content
This course gives an advanced overview of standard multivariate methods and current developments in multivariate modeling. The topics include general and generalized linear models, structural equation models, multilevel modeling and specific models for the analysis of time-related effects. In the morning sessions, we will provide the formal foundations and theoretical background of the model classes for continuous and discrete observations. The afternoon sessions focus on empirical applications and hands-on exercises in data analysis.
The goals are to bring the PhD candidates to a common level of statistical knowledge and data analytic skills and to set the stage for the more specialized topics in the Foundations 2 course and workshops in the following semesters.Block 1: Dates: 17 October (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
18 October 2024 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Block 2: Dates: 21 November (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
22 November 2024 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Block 3: Dates: 16 January (10:00 a.m.- 6:00 p.m.) and
17 January 2025 (9:00 a.m. – 5.00 p.m.)
Location: Mannheim (Room: 108, CIP Pool)
Please register online by 21 August 2024 via the SMiP registration page and check the SMiP pages for continuous updates.
CDSS doctoral students in psychology only who attend all three modules of this course can:
- let it count against the mandatory course Mathematics for Social Scientists (2 ECTS) and have 4 ECTS credited towards elective requirements in the MET module.
- let it count against the core course 'Theory Building and Causal Inference' (6ECTS), which is taught in spring.
Please contact the CDSS Center Manager to discuss the above mentioned possibilities.
MET/POL: Advanced Topics in Comparative Politics: Formal Models in CP (and some in IR) 8 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: MET/POL Credits: 8Prerequisites
Topics covered in introductory Game Theory class
Course Content
This course is a continuation of the intro into Game Theory and surveys key applications of game theory with a particular emphasis on the link of theories, methods and empirics. Emphasis will be placed on prominent applications of those concepts in political science, in both comparative and international politics. Topics covered include electoral competition, delegation, political agency, governmental veto players, authoritarian politics, manipulation, war and crisis bargaining. While the focus is on understanding applied work, previous training in game theory is required. Students will build upon their previous game theory training to become informed consumers of scholarship utilizing the methodology and begin to learn how to apply game-theoretic logic to their own work. The course is partly taught from lecture notes, at other times students present a research paper and stimulate discussion in class.
Course requirements & assessment
Class discussion, paper presentation, participation, term paper (graded)
Literature
Various chapters of Scott Gehlbach's Formal Models of Domestic Politics (CUP) and journal articles from different fields
Schedule
Lecture 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 15:30 – 17:00 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link MET/POL: Game Theory (Theory + Tutorial) 6 + 2 ECTSLecturer(s)
Carlos Gueiros
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: MET/POL Credits: 6 + 2Course Content
The objective of this course is to provide students with the basics of formal modeling in political science. The course has some breadth in coverage in the sense that it provides a graduate-level introduction and overview to di erent areas in game theory. It is also narrow in the sense that the emphasis is not on application and model testing but getting trained in reading and writing down formal models. At the conceptual level the course will cover the following topics: normal form games, Nash equilibria, extensive form games, subgame perfect equilibria, repeated games, bargaining, games with incomplete and imperfect information, Bayesian perfect equilibria, signaling games, preferences and individual choices, basics of decision theory and social choice. At the substantial level, we will use these concepts to study, as examples, candidate competition, political lobbying, and war and deterrence.
Literature- McCarty, Nolan and Adam Meirowitz. 2007. Political Game Theory. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Tadelis, Steven. 2013. Game Theory: An Introduction. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
- Osborne, Martin. 2003. An Introduction to Game Theory. Oxford: Oxford University Press.
- Morrow, James. 1994. Game Theory for Political Scientists. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press.
- Dixit, Avinash K., Susan Skeath, and David H. Reiley. 2009. Games of Strategy. 3. ed. New York: Norton.
- Hinich, Melvin J. and Michael C. Munger. 1997. Analytical Politics. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
- Osborne, Martin and Ariel Rubinstein. 2020. Models in Microeconomic Theory. Open Book Publishers.
Course requirements & assessment
Working in small groups on the assignments, online meetings on Zoom in groups, final exam (graded)
Tutorial
This tutorial accompanies the graduate-level introductory lecture in game theory. Its main objective is to practice solution concepts for static and dynamic games of complete and incomplete information.
The contents are centered on the material covered in the lecture. Thus, the following key areas will be discussed: preferences and individual choices, decision theory, normal form games, Nash equilibria, extensive form games, subgame perfect equilibria, repeated games, bargaining, games with incomplete and imperfect information, Bayesian perfect equilibria, signaling games. At the substantial level, we will use these concepts to study, for instance, candidate competition, political lobbying, and war and deterrence. Students are required to submit four problem sets. Moreover, it is essential for students to prepare thoroughly for all sessions using online tutorials. Active participation in class discussions is expected.
Course requirements: Four problem sets.Schedule
Lecture 02.09.24 – 02.12.24 Monday 10:15 – 11:45 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link Tutorial Carlos Barbosa Gueiros 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 12:00 – 13:30 C 112 in A5, 6 entrance C 06.09.24 – 06.12.24 Friday 12:00 – 13:30 B317 in A5, 6 entrance B PSY: Advanced topics in Cognitive Psychology4 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: PSYCredits: 4Course Content
This Lecture provides an advanced treatment of research methods in cognitive psychology as well as an overview of research topics of Cognitive Psychology in Mannheim.
Exemplary Topics
- Basic methodology of Cognitive Psychology
- Stochastic Modeling of Cognitive Processes
- Model selection
- Information Search in Decision Making
- Visual short-term memory
- Investigating cognitive processes using mouse-tracking
- Strategy Contributions to Cognitive Aging
- The Truth Effect
Literature
- Farrell, S. & Lewandowsky, S. (2018). Computational modeling of cognition and behavior. Cambridge, UK: Cambridge University Press. (Chapters 1–5, 10, 12)
- Quinlan, P. & Dyson, B. (2008). Cognitive psychology. Harlow, UK: Pearson.(Chapters 1 & 2)
Course requirements & assessment:Active participation, final written exam (90 mins, graded)
Competences acquired
Knowledge of the main research strategies and theoretical developments in the study of memory; ability to discuss empirical studes critically
Schedule
Lecture 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 15:30 – 17:00 B144 in A5, 6 entrance B Link PSY: Advanced Topics in Work and Organizational Psychology4 ECTSLecturer(s)
Course Type: elective courseCourse Number: PSYCredits: 4Prerequisites
Knowledge in work and organizational psychology. It is expected that students know the content of a text book such as Spector (2008) or Landy & Conte (2010).
Course Content
This course provides an overview of core topics within work and organizational psychology. We will focus on recent theoretical approaches and empirical research findings (meta-analyses). In addition, we will discuss practical implications of core research findings. Topics include: Work motivation, stress and health, leadership, teams, personnel selection.
Methods comprise: Lecture, reading (as homework), teamwork assignments during class.Course requirements and assessment
Graded homework assignmentLiterature
Journal papers; reading assignments will be given at the beginning of the semester.
Schedule
Lecture 05.09.24 – 05.12.24 Thursday 17:15 – 18:45 B244 in A5, 6 entrance B Link RES (Bridge course): Lecture series “Data Science in Action”5 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: RES (Bridge course)Credits: 5Course Content
Our colleagues from the Mannheim Center for Data Science are offering a lecture series “Data Science in Action” for the upcoming fall term. The lecture series is online and starts on tbc.
GESS doctoral students can attend the event as a bridge course. In order to receive the 5 ECTS points, you need to take part in at 80% of the lectures and write a 15 page essay (pass/fail assessment).
For more information and registration, please visit the website: https://www.uni-mannheim.de/datascience/details/ringvorlesung-data-science-in-action-hws-2024-donnerstags-12-1330-uhr-online-via-zoom/RES (bridge course): Mental health during dissertations (GESS doctoral students only)5 ECTSCourse Type: elective courseCourse Number: RES (bridge course)Credits: 5Course Content
It is not uncommon for doctoral dissertations to be marked by periods of difficulty and frustration, which can also have an impact on one's mental health. In addition to factors related directly to the dissertation, structural and personal issues may also contribute to mental health challenges.
The objective of this course is to familiarise participants with the typical risk factors and challenging constellations that doctoral students are likely to encounter during their dissertations. The course will consist of literature-informed/guided group discussions of several predefined topics addressing common difficulties encountered during dissertation projects. During the first session(s), the group will decide the particular topics of interest for each of the sessions based on a brief literature discussion and their personal interests. Then, based on selected literature provided by the lecturer, the students will discuss these topics both from an academic standpoint and from their individual perspective/
experience during their dissertation project. Each session will thus serve as information input and offer room for discussion and exchange. The aim of this format is to foster doctoral students’ knowledge about mental health during dissertation projects and facilitate reflection on one's own situation and standpoint in a group of peers. Course requirements & assessment
Doctoral students need to be willing to read articles, and discuss and articulate their own views on typical challenging situations during dissertation projects in guided group discussions.
The course will be taught by Dr. Julia Holl
Schedule
Seminar bi-weekly 18.09.24 – 27.11.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 Room 409 in L9, 1–2 Link 04.12.24 Wednesday 10:15 – 11:45 Room 409 in L9, 1–2