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Master's programmes

Master Public Economics (ab WiSe 22/23)

0353c_MA120
Studien- und Prüfungsordnung

  • Macroeconomic Analysis

    0258eA1.2

    learning objectives:
     Students have in-depth methodological and content knowledge of basic macroeconomics. They know advanced approaches and are familiar with their application. They are able to differentiate between quantitative models. They are able to interpret results and master formal derivations. They have an intuitive understanding of macroeconomic relationships and can recognize and make limitations and extensions to the approaches presented.

    course content:
     Basics of macroeconomics in the field of growth theory (e.g. Solow model, Ramsey model) and in the field of business cycle theory (e.g. real business cycle approach, New Keynesian model) as well as modern methods of macroeconomics (e.g. dynamic optimization).

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

  • Academic Practice

    0258eA1.4

    learning objectives:
    Students will be enabled to present their own research results in a scientific manner and to represent them to a critical professional audience. They will become familiar with common presentation and discussion practices in economics research work. They will be able to present their own methodological approaches for discussion and critically question conclusions derived from their own research. The aim here is the subsequent processing of critical-constructive contributions in their own research work.

    course content:
    Current research questions in topics of theoretical and empirical economics.

    language of instruction:
    English

    workload
    180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every semester

    • 10143951 Colloquium
      Academic Practice (C) (Dieter Nautz, Anja Prummer)
      Schedule: Do 14:00-16:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-16)
      Location: 202 Sitzungsraum / Kaminzimmer (Boltzmannstr. 16-20)

      Comments

      Zu den Kommentaren der Veranstaltung
    • 33755a Colloquium
      Research Colloquium Economy of Latin America (Barbara Fritz, Manuel Santos Silva)
      Schedule: Termine siehe LV-Details (Class starts on: 2025-10-14)
      Location: K02 (Seminarraum), Rüdesheimer Str. 54-56, 14195 Berlin

      Information for students

      For MA ECO/PUB ECO: Please register in Campus Management for "Academic Practice". For Master LAI: Please register in Campus Management for "Research Colloquium Economy of Latin America".

      Comments

      In the colloquium, final theses in the field of Latin American economics are presented. Participation is only possible after consultation with the supervisor belonging to the Department of Latin American Economics.

  • Economics of the Welfare State

    0353cA1.2

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with advanced approaches to modern public economics and economics of the “second-best”. They are able to apply formal models in these fields. Thus, they are able to independently analyze current fundamental problems of the welfare state and can assess the economic role of the central institutions of the welfare state.

    course content:
     Methodological and substantive foundations of the economics of the welfare state, such as the insurance function of the welfare state, market failure in insurance, state protection of work income, redistribution through income taxation, public provision of private goods, poverty reduction.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

  • Applied Microeconometrics

    0353cA1.3

    learning objectives:
     Students are familiar with approaches and methods for analyzing the individual behavior of individuals, private households and firms using microdata (cross-sectional and panel data), as used in empirical finance, labor market and industrial economics and quantitative business administration, among others, and are able to apply them. They are able to analyze and critically discuss these approaches and methods and to interpret estimation results in a well-founded manner. Likewise, relevant methods can be applied in independent investigations.

    course content:
     Modern, advanced methods of microeconometrics with a focus on application-related problems and independent application of corresponding procedures.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

    • 10173401 Lecture
      Applied Microeconometrics (V) (Natalia Danzer)
      Schedule: Do 08:30-10:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-16)
      Location: Hs 107 Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)

      Comments

               
      Winter term 2024/2025
      Master Economics und Master Public Economics

      APPLIED MICROECONOMETRICS
      (10173401/ 10173402) 

      Lecturer/Teaching Assistant: Prof. Natalia Danzer / Denise Barth

      Lectures:    Thursdays, 08:30 – 10:00 a.m., first meeting: October 16, 2025
      Venue:    Garystr. 21, HS 104.
      Tutorials:    Wednesdays, 14:15 – 15:45 a.m., first meeting: October 22, 2025
      Venue:     Garystr. 21, HS 104
      Credits:     6 ECTS

      Aim and contents of the course
      The aim of applied microeconometrics is to analyze individual behavior on the basis of micro data (cross-section and panel data of individuals, households, and firms) and evaluate the effects of economic policies and interventions at the micro level. Microeconometric methods account for the non-metric measure¬ment and censoring of dependent variables at the individual level, selectivity and incomplete observability of endogenous variables, and the dependence of individual observations over time. The course focuses mainly on program evaluation methods aimed at causal identification of treatment effects and panel data models, but introduces students also to discrete-choice and limited-dependent models. Several applications in empirical microeconomics and the evaluation of the effects of economic policies are presented. Students learn how to apply these methods using real-world micro data and the software package Stata.

      Topics
      1.    Causal inference – Potential Outcomes Framework
      2.    OLS and Causality
      3.    Randomized Control Trials
      4.    Instrumental Variable Estimation
      5.    Regression Discontinuity Design
      6.    Difference-in-Difference
      7.    Panel Data
      8.    Limited Dependent Variables (binary choice)

      Requirements and Grading
      •    The course is appropriate for master students specializing in empirical microeconomics.
      •    Knowledge of basic estimation methods, such as the linear regression model and the maximum likelihood method is required.
      •    Grading will be based on the final exam (2h) which may be written in English or German. 

      Main Text Books 
      Angrist, J.D. & J.-S. Pische (2015). Mastering `metrics: The path from cause to effect. Princeton: Princeton University Press.
      Angrist, J.D. & J.-S. Pische (2009). Mostly harmless econometrics: In empiricist’s companion. Princeton. Princeton University Press.
      Cunningham, S. (2021). Causal inference: The mixtape. Yale university press.
      Wooldridge, J.M. (2013). Introductory Econometrics. 5th Edition. Mason (OH): south-Western Cengage learning. 

      Lecture slides and references to selected journal articles on empirical applications will be made available via Blackboard. 
    • 10173402 Practice seminar
      Applied Microeconometrics (Ü) (Denise Barth)
      Schedule: Mi 14:00-16:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-22)
      Location: Hs 107 Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)

  • Microeconomic Analysis

    0258eA1.1

    learning objectives:
     Students possess in-depth methodological and content-related knowledge of the fundamentals of microeconomics. They know complex and new approaches and are familiar with their application. They have an intuitive understanding of microeconomic relationships and can recognize and make limitations and extensions of the approaches presented.

    course content:
     Complex approaches to microeconomics, such as decision theory of the household and the firm, general equilibrium analysis, main theorems of welfare theory, partial equilibrium analysis, incomplete competition, game theory.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

  • Econometric Analysis

    0258eA1.3

    learning objectives:
     Students will know and master basic econometric methods required for the empirical analysis of economic data. They are able to critically evaluate and appropriately apply these methods. They are able to conduct empirical studies independently, as far as they are based on econometric methods, and to evaluate the results.

    course content:
     Modern econometric methods, such as simple and multiple regression, nonlinear methods, diagnostic tests, dynamic models.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

  • Methods in Economic Theory

    0258eB1.1

    learning objectives:
     Students are familiar with modern methods of economic theory at the current state of international research. On the basis of current literature, they are able to select theoretical models and methods and apply them to answer self-selected questions independently. In doing so, they are able to critically reflect on the assumptions and limitations of their theoretical analysis. They can reflect the state of scientific discussion and their own results in writing and present them orally.

    course content:
     The course includes Theoretical Microeconomics, e.g. environmental economics, health economics, contract and information theory, game theory, competition economics, industrial economics, behavioral economics, labor economics, Theoretical Macroeconomics, e.g. fiscal policy, business cycle theory, growth theory, monetary theory, and Theoretical Finance, e.g. tax theory, allocation theory.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     360 hours (12 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

  • Topics in Applied Empirical Economics

    0258eB1.14

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with selected application areas of empirical economics. They understand relevant methods, models and identification strategies of current international research. They are able to independently empirically address selected issues using different approaches and reflect on and discuss underlying assumptions. In doing so, they can include institutional, legal and social framework conditions as well as gender- and diversity-specific aspects of the research area in their analysis.

    course content:
     Application areas of modern econometric analysis, e.g. labor market policy, tax policy, inequality research, education and family policy, demography and migration research, gender economics, development research, environmental economics, health economics, social policy, fiscal policy, monetary policy, business cycle policy, growth policy.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / once in every two academic years

    • 10145306 Seminar-style instruction
      Measuring Inequality (Carsten Schröder)
      Schedule: Di 10:00-12:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-14)
      Location: Hs 106 Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)
    • 10145311 Seminar-style instruction
      Measuring Inequality (Carsten Schröder)
      Schedule: Di 12:00-14:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-14)
      Location: Hs 106 Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)

  • Topics in Economic Policy Analysis

    0258eB1.15

    learning objectives:
     Students possess methodological knowledge of selected topics in the field of economic policy analysis. They are able to work independently on selected issues using different approaches, understand corresponding economic policy developments and policy proposals, and are able to analyze and critically evaluate them.

    course content:
     Modern theoretical and empirical methods (e.g. difference-in-differences, regression discontinuity, randomized controlled trials) of economic policy analysis e.g. in financial and economic policy, family economics, education economics, competition economics, development economics, innovation economics, labor economics, social policy, tax policy, environmental economics, health economics, fiscal policy, monetary policy, business cycle policy, growth policy.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / once in every two academic years

  • Topics in Applied Economic Policy Analysis

    0258eB1.16

    learning objectives:
     The students know selected fields of application of economic policy analysis. They understand the selection of common empirical and theoretical methods in the scientific examination of concrete economic policy issues. They are enabled to reflect critically on this selection and to consider institutional, legal and social framework conditions as well as gender- and diversity-specific aspects of the research area. They are able to analyze and evaluate economic policy proposals and to develop and communicate alternative proposals.

    course content:
     Application areas and selected issues of economic policy analysis, e.g. financial and economic policy, family policy, education policy, competition policy, development policy, innovation policy, labor market policy, social policy, tax policy, environmental policy, health policy, fiscal policy, monetary policy, business cycle policy, growth policy, policy of European integration.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / once in every two academic years

    • 33090a Wahlveranstaltung
      Political Economy of Development (S1) (Manuel Santos Silva)
      Schedule: Termine siehe LV-Details (Class starts on: 2025-10-13)
      Location: K02 (Seminarraum), Rüdesheimer Str. 54-56, 14195 Berlin

      Information for students

      Information for students of the Department of Economics: 1)Module creditability: "Topics in Applied Economic Policy Analysis". Registration: Campus Management, module examination: term paper (approx. 12 pages).

      Comments

      This seminar discusses the political determinants of economic and social development. Which types of political regimes foster economic growth? How do societies develop under democratic or autocratic rule? What role do political and social institutions or the legal system play? How does political conflict impact development? To tackle these questions, we will discuss seminal articles covering several historical periods and world regions. Readings are heavily biased towards recent empirical papers with a credible causal identification strategy. Participants will engage with seminal literature and critically analyze empirical studies.

      Suggested reading

      Reading list of research papers will be made available for registered participants. Three representative examples are: 1) Allen, R. C., Bertazzini, M. C., & Heldring, L. (2023). The economic origins of government. American Economic Review, 113(10), 2507-2545. 2) Fujiwara, T. (2015). Voting Technology, Political Responsiveness, and Infant Health: Evidence from Brazil. Econometrica, 83(2): 423-464. 3) González, F, & Prem, M. (2020). Losing your dictator: Firms during political transition. Journal of Economic Growth, 25(2), 227-257.

    • 10143811 Seminar-style instruction
      Political Economy of Development (S2) (Manuel Santos Silva)
      Schedule: -
      Location: keine Angabe

      Information for students

      Diese Veranstaltung findet im Rahmen der LV 33090a statt. Die Anmeldung zu diesem Kurs erfolgt nach der Platzverteilung.

  • Topics in Statistical Methods

    0258eB1.17

    learning objectives:
     Students possess methodological knowledge of selected topics in current statistical research. They are able to work independently on selected issues using different approaches, understand corresponding statistical methods and models and are able to mathematically record, analyze and apply them to economic issues.

    course content:
     Modern methods of statistics, e.g., survey statistics, statistical inference, machine learning, multivariate statistics, non- and semi-parametric modeling, Bayesian statistics.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / once in every two academic years

  • Applied Economic Theory

    0258eB1.2

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with areas of application of theoretical economic research. They will be able to identify relevant economic problems and to work on them independently or in groups with the help of theoretical models. They are able to critically reflect on their own approach and to present their own results in writing and orally. In doing so, you will be able to include institutional, legal and social framework conditions as well as gender- and diversity-specific aspects of economic theory formation in the analysis and evaluate concrete policy proposals on the basis of theoretical arguments and submit alternative proposals.

    course content:
     Application areas of theoretical microeconomics, macroeconomics, and finance, e.g., environmental economics, health economics, mechanism design, competition economics, industrial economics, behavioral economics, fiscal policy, business cycle policy, growth policy, monetary policy.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     360 hours (12 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

    • 10144208 Advanced Lecture Course
      Information Economics (Andreas Asseyer)
      Schedule: Mi 10:00-12:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-15)
      Location: Hs 102 Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)

      Comments

      Kommentare zu dieser Veranstaltung
    • 10146808 Advanced Lecture Course
      Applied Economic Theory (V) (Carsten Dreher)
      Schedule: Mo 14:00-18:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-13)
      Location: Hörsaal/Thielallee 67 (Thielallee 67)
    • 10144226 Methods Tutorial
      Information Economics (Andreas Asseyer)
      Schedule: Mi 12:00-14:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-15)
      Location: Hs 102 Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)
    • 10146826 Methods Tutorial
      Applied Economic Theory (Ü) (Fabio Voss)
      Schedule: Fr 12:00-16:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-17)
      Location: 013 Seminarraum UG (Thielallee 73)
    • 10144211 Seminar
      Information Economics (Gabriel Ziegler)
      Schedule: Do 10:00-12:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-16)
      Location: Hs 104a Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)
    • 10146811 Seminar
      Applied Economic Theory (S) (Dagmara Weckowska)
      Schedule: Mo 14:00-18:00 (Class starts on: 2025-12-08)
      Location: Hörsaal/Thielallee 67 (Thielallee 67)

  • Advanced Empirical Economics

    0258eB1.21

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with advanced econometric methods and models. They will be able to select and apply them to answer economic questions. Students will understand complex identification strategies of empirical research and be able to explain them in writing or orally to a professional audience. They will be enabled to reflect critically on underlying assumptions in order to judge the quality of an empirical analysis at hand.

    course content:
     Advanced methods, models and research questions of modern econometric analysis and their fields of application, especially empirical microeconomics, empirical macroeconomics and empirical finance.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / irregular

    • 10147311 Seminar-style instruction
      Monetary Economics: Theory and Empirics (Efrem Castelnuovo)
      Schedule: Termine siehe LV-Details (Class starts on: 2025-11-18)
      Location: HFB/K I Konferenzraum (Garystr. 35-37)

      Comments

      Aim of the course
      This 20-hour course aims to equip students with a solid theoretical foundation in monetary
      economics and the empirical tools necessary to bring theory to the data.
      The theoretical component builds the core model of monetary policy used by central
      banks worldwide: the New Keynesian model of the business cycle. This model serves
      as the basis for deriving theoretical predictions regarding the effects of monetary policy
      shocks, the role of systematic monetary policy in stabilizing the business cycle, and the
      trade-offs such policy entails.
      The empirical component focuses on two widely used tools in applied macroeconometrics
      for assessing the effects of monetary policy shocks and the role of systematic
      monetary policy in mitigating inefficient fluctuations caused by various macroeconomic
      shocks. These tools are Vector Autoregressive (VAR) models and Local Projections
      (LP).
      By the end of the course, students are expected to be able to conduct independent
      empirical research using macroeconomic data to analyze the effects of monetary policy
      impulses.
       

      Assessment
      • Master’s students: Empirical project (10 pages maximum)
      • Ph.D. students: Empirical project (10 pages maximum) plus presentation of a scientific paper
       
    • 10147306 Seminar-style instruction
      Monetary Economics: Theory and Empirics (Efrem Castelnuovo)
      Schedule: -
      Location: keine Angabe

      Information for students

      Diese Veranstaltung findet im Rahmen der LV 10147311 statt.

  • Advanced Economic Policy Analysis

    0258eB1.22

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with advanced methods and application areas of modern economic policy analysis at the current state of international research. They are enabled to select basic and advanced empirical and theoretical knowledge for answering concrete economic policy questions and to apply it independently or in groups. They will be able to communicate the results of their analysis to an expert audience, as well as to people outside the field. In doing so, they are able to reflect on the assumptions and limitations of their own analysis. Students are thus able to evaluate current economic policy proposals, compare them with each other and independently develop alternative proposals.

    course content:
     Advanced research questions in economic policy analysis, especially on topics in applied macroeconomics, applied microeconomics, and applied fiscal and economic policy.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / irregular

    • 10145906 Seminar-style instruction
      Current Topics in Macroeconomics (Helge Berger)
      Schedule: -
      Location: HFB/K I Konferenzraum (Garystr. 35-37)

      Information for students

      Diese Veranstaltung findet im Rahmen der LV 10145911 statt.

    • 10145911 Seminar-style instruction
      Current Topics in Macroeconomics (Helge Berger)
      Schedule: Do 15.01. 08:00-18:00, Fr 16.01. 08:00-18:00 (Class starts on: 2026-01-15)
      Location: HFB/K I Konferenzraum (Garystr. 35-37)

      Comments

      Helge Berger

      Current Topics in Macroeconomics (WiSe 2025/26)

      Content. The seminar will discuss topical issue currently on the minds of macroeconomic policymakers, with a particular focus on trade, industrial policies, and fiscal- and monetary policy. The emphasis is on applied empirical and analytical work in support of policy advice for governments and central banks. The list of specific topics will cover the below, but further topics might be added closer to the start of the semester:

      • • Global current account imbalances—what are the underlying reasons of large surpluses (e.g., China; EU) and deficits (e.g., U.S.), why are they a concern, and what policies (e.g., fiscal, monetary or trade) can address them?
      • Tariffs—what are the reasons tariffs are being raised, what is the economic impact, and what should policymakers do once high tariffs are in place on a country’s exports?
      • Industrial policies—what is the economic case for industrial policies, what can go wrong, and how get them right?
      • Structural reforms in Europe—why is Europe’s productivity and GDP peer capita lagging the U.S., what EU and domestic reforms could make a difference, and why are reforms so difficult to implement?
      • The EU’s ‘single market’—why is the ‘single market’ still not complete, what consequences does this have, and what to do about it?
      • Defense spending—how big a fiscal effort is ahead of us, what are the likely fiscal and economic consequences, and how to finance the effort best?
      • Monetary policy—how did the ECB and the FED perform when inflation surged, and is monetary on course to its inflation target? What is the economic case for becoming less “data dependent” and more forward-looking” again?

      Quantitative easing (and other unconventional monetary policy) aftermath—did QE work and how to evaluate its late consequences (e.g., central bank losses; the need for quantitative tightening later on)? What about negative interest rates and foreign exchange rate interventions? Should the ECB, FED, or the Swiss central bank be more cautious the next time?

      Time. The seminar will take place Thursday and Friday, January 15 and 16, 2026.

      Course requirements.
      (1) A 20 min presentation on the topic to be selected from a list of topics, followed by a discussion. Topics will be announced by the start of the winter semester.
      (2) A written seminar paper on the same topic submitted by end-March 2026.

      Once the topics are announced, students will indicate their preferences, and topics will then be assigned based on a first come, first served basis. Final grades will be based on the presentation & class participation (30 percent of grade), and the seminar paper (70 percent).

  • Advanced Quantitative Economics

    0258eB1.23

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with advanced statistical and numerical methods and models at the cutting edge of international research. They will be able to accurately capture and analyze these methods and models mathematically. In doing so, they will understand the underlying assumptions and be able to reflect critically on them. They will be able to apply these methods and models to complex data structures.

    course content:
     Advanced methods and research issues in statistics and econometrics, e.g., advanced survey statistics, high-dimensional statistical methods, structural microeconometrics, stochastic optimization, Monte Carlo-based methods, Big Data.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / irregular

    • 10146011 Seminar-style instruction
      Replications with Survey Data (Jan Marcus, Lukas Fink)
      Schedule: Fr 09:00-17:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-16)
      Location: HFB/K II Konferenzraum (Garystr. 35-37)
    • 10146006 Seminar-style instruction
      Replications with Survey Data (Lukas Fink, Jan Marcus)
      Schedule: -
      Location: keine Angabe

      Information for students

      diese Veranstaltung findet im Rahmen der LV 10146011 statt

  • Advanced Statistical Methods

    0258eB1.24

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with modern advanced methods of statistical data analysis. They are enabled to independently develop new statistical methods in order to apply them in data analysis. In doing so, they will be able to critically reflect on the underlying assumptions of the methods and consider the limitations of the methods in their own context of application.

    course content:
     Advanced methods of statistics, e.g. Bayesian estimation methods, variance estimation methods, multiple imputation, small area estimation.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     180 hours (6 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / irregular

    • 10146106 Seminar-style instruction
      Causal Machine Learning (S1) (Jan Marcus, Nicolas Frink)
      Schedule: Mo 14:00-16:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-13)
      Location: HFB/K II Konferenzraum (Garystr. 35-37)
    • 10146111 Seminar-style instruction
      Causal Machine Learning (S2) (Nicolas Frink, Jan Marcus)
      Schedule: Mo 16:00-18:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-13)
      Location: HFB/K II Konferenzraum (Garystr. 35-37)

  • Area Studies in Economic Theory

    0258eB1.3

    learning objectives:
     The students know selected theoretical methods and models of economics as well as their fields of application. They will be able to select and apply methods and models in a context-specific manner in order to independently answer current questions in these fields of application. They will become familiar with interdisciplinary approaches to theoretical problems and will be able to incorporate these into their own analysis. In particular, they know about regionally specific institutional, historical and social aspects of the application areas.

    course content:
     Normative and positive models, methods and application areas of modern theoretical economics, e.g. economic history, development economics, as well as their application in thematic specializations such as economic system comparison in connection with economic regional studies (area studies) with a focus on Latin America, Eastern Europe or North America.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     360 hours (12 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

    • 33050a Elective Lecture
      Development theories and concepts (Sergio Costa, Manuel Santos Silva)
      Schedule: Termine siehe LV-Details (Class starts on: 2025-10-13)
      Location: 201 (Seminarraum), Rüdesheimer Str. 54-56, 14197 Berlin

      Information for students

      "Hinweise für Studierende des FB Wirtschaftswissenschaften: Für Studierende der neuen SPO ist der begleitende Kurs für diese Vorlesung das Seminar vom Dr. Christian Ambrosius: "Migration and Development: Latin America in a Global Context". Modul Anrechenbarkeit: ""Area Studies in Economic Theory"". Anmeldung: Campus Management, Modulprüfung: Hausarbeit (ca. 15 Seiten); in der Regel wird die Hausarbeit im begleitenden Seminar geschrieben.

      Comments

      In dem Kurs werden die wichtigsten Ansätze zur ökonomischen und gesellschaftlichen Entwicklung in Lateinamerika während des 20. Jahrhunderts vorgestellt. Im Mittelpunkt stehen das Pendeln zwischen liberaler Weltmarktintegration und Binnenmarktentwicklung, das die wirtschaftspolitischen Strategien der lateinamerikanischen Länder bis heute prägt, sowie die damit verbundenen politischen Regime, die verschiedene Formen zwischen demokratischen und autoritären Prägungen eingenommen haben.

      Suggested reading

      Bertola, Luis/Ocampo, Jose Antonio (2013): El Desarrollo Económico De América Latina Desde la Independencia, Fondo De Cultura Económica (México). - Franko, Patrice (2007): The Puzzle of Latin American Development, 3. Auflage. Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield.

    • 33053b Advanced seminar
      Migration and Development: Latin America in a Global Context (Christian Ambrosius, N.N.)
      Schedule: Termine siehe LV-Details (Class starts on: 2025-10-15)
      Location: 201 (Seminarraum), Rüdesheimer Str. 54-56, 14197 Berlin

      Information for students

      Mögliche Prüfungsleistung im M.A. Interdisziplinäre Lateinamerikastudien: Hausarbeit (ca. 15 Seiten). Hinweise für Studierende des FB Wirtschaftswissenschaften: Dieses Seminar ist der begleitende Kurs für die Vorlesung „Entwicklunstheorien und -konzepte“. Modul Anrechenbarkeit: "Area Studies in Economic Theory". Anmeldung: Campus Management, Modulprüfung: Hausarbeit (ca. 15 Seiten).

      Comments

      Latin America´s rich and diverse migration history offers an ideal scenario to explore the complex relationships between human mobility and development, with important lessons for current migration debates. In this seminar, we examine the historical and contemporary patterns of migration and displacement within, towards, and from Latin America, highlighting their interplay with socioeconomic, political, and cultural development processes, and studying migration both as a result and driver of different dimensions of development. After an empirical overview of migration trends in the region, the course introduces key theoretical approaches to the migration-development nexus. Students will engage critically with a range of case studies, including intra-regional (forced) migrations, outward emigration from Latin America, as well as forced returns. By combining empirical data with conceptual frameworks, the seminar provides a comprehensive understanding of how migration shapes—and is shaped by— the social, political and economic development in Latin America and beyond.

      Suggested reading

      "De Haas, H., Castles, S., & Miller, M. J. (2019). The age of migration: International population movements in the modern world. Bloomsbury Publishing. Chapter 7: The Americas. Jorge Durand, and Douglas S. Massey. 2010. ""New world orders: Continuities and Changes in Latin American Migration."" The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 630 (1): 20-52 De Haas, H. (2020). Paradoxes of migration and development. In Routledge Handbook of Migration and Development (pp. 17-31). Routledge."

  • Applied Empirical Economics

    0258eB1.5

    learning objectives:
     Students will be familiar with application areas of empirical economic research. They are enabled to identify relevant economic problems and to work on them independently or in groups with the help of econometric models and statistical methods. You will be able to critically reflect on your own empirical approach and to write down and orally present your results. They are able to include institutional, legal and social framework conditions in the analysis, evaluate concrete policy proposals on the basis of empirical evidence and derive alternative proposals. In particular, they are aware of gender- and diversity-specific aspects of the research field.

    course content:
     Application areas of modern econometric analysis, e.g. labor market policy, tax policy, inequality research, education and family policy, demography and migration research, gender economics, development research, environmental economics, health economics, social policy, fiscal policy, monetary policy, business cycle policy, growth policy.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     360 hours (12 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

    • 10144508 Advanced Lecture Course
      Empirical Public Economics (Peter Haan)
      Schedule: Do 14:00-16:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-16)
      Location: Hs 108 Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)

      Information for students

      The course is restricted to 24 students. Please send your transcript of records and a short motivation letter (half a page max.) to ls-danzer@wiwiss.fu-berlin.de before October 17, 2025

      Comments

      This course covers basic topics in public economics from an empirical point of view. We will focus on
      empirical studies on the distributional, fiscal and behavioral effects of the tax and transfer system and
      public policy. Topics include the effect of income taxation, the design of transfer programs, such as
      unemployment insurance, of the pension system, of education or family policies. Further, it is the aim
      of the course to provide an overview about the institutions of a welfare state and the current
      discussion about reforming or changing welfare states in particular in the context of the demographic
      change. The leading example will be public policies in Germany and the current political debate in
      Germany. When discussing the relevant literature, we will focus not only on the policy content, but
      also on the empirical strategy and evaluation methods. To this end, we will introduce, develop, discuss
      and apply different microeconometric techniques to assess the impact and effectiveness of public
      policies. Students will learn to read, understand and critically assess empirical research in the area of
      public economics, and will gain hands-on experience in their own empirical projects.
      Structure: This course consists of two parts, a lecture and a seminar. In the first part, students will be
      introduced to the topics and methods covered in the course. Students will learn how to apply various
      empirical methods in several computer based exercises in tutorials. In the second part, the seminar,
      students will work on a small, own empirical research project and write a term paper on their project.
      In this project, you need to apply an empirical method that we discussed in class. We distribute topics
      based on empirical papers, which serve as a starting point for your empirical project. You are expected
      to work in teams of two or three persons in the main part of the empirical project. We will provide
      feedback on the suitability of your topic and relevant data sets. The research projects are accompanied
      by seminar meetings in which students present their progress in class. In a final block meeting, students
      will present their final term papers.
      Prerequisites: In this course, we will provide an introduction how to use empirical methods to causally
      answer important policy and economic questions. The prerequisites are intermediate microeconomic
      and macroeconomic theory and principles in econometrics. Experience with Stata or R would be
      helpful.
    • 10144526 Methods Tutorial
      Empirical Public Economics (Peter Haan, Piotr Larysz)
      Schedule: Do 16:00-18:00, Fr 08:00-10:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-16)
      Location: Hs 108a Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)

      Information for students

      The course is restricted to 24 students. Please send your transcript of records and a short motivation letter (half a page max.) to ls-danzer@wiwiss.fu-berlin.de before October 17, 2025

    • 10144511 Seminar
      Empirical Public Economics (Natalia Danzer, Denise Barth)
      Schedule: Fr 10:00-12:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-17)
      Location: Hs 108a Hörsaal (Garystr. 21)

      Information for students

      The course is restricted to 24 students. Please send your transcript of records and a short motivation letter (half a page max.) to ls-danzer@wiwiss.fu-berlin.deb efore October 17, 2025

  • Area Studies in Empirical Economics

    0258eB1.6

    learning objectives:
     The students know selected empirical methods and models of economics as well as their fields of application. They will be able to select and apply methods and models in order to independently answer current questions in these fields of application. They will become familiar with interdisciplinary approaches to economic problems and will be able to incorporate these into their own analysis. In particular, they will know about regionally specific institutional, historical and social aspects of the application areas.

    course content:
     Quantitative and qualitative methods and application areas of modern empirical analysis, e.g. economic history, development economics in combination with economic regional studies (area studies) with a focus on Latin America, Eastern Europe and North America.

    language of instruction:
     English

    workload
     360 hours (12 ECTS)

    duration / frequency
    one semester / every other semester

    • 32710 Advanced seminar
      International Trade, Migration and Health (Luca Stella)
      Schedule: Mo 14:00-16:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-13)
      Location: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

      Comments

      This course provides a graduate-level introduction to the study of international economics, covering some of the most important theories and applications of international trade, health, and migration. Each week, the presentation of theorethical contributions is accompanied by a comprehensive overview of the corresponding empirical validations. The course is divided into three parts. During the first part, we will introduce the basics of international trade. Current debates surrounding globalization and international trade are assessed against the concepts and empirical evidence taught in class. In particular, we will investigate the determinants of trade patterns, the Ricardian model and its empirical applications, the employment effect of the China shock, and study the causes and effects of trade policy. The objective is to gauge how international trade and globalization affect welfare, firms, labor markets and wages. During the second part, we will illustrate how economists analyze the production of health and the delivery of health care services. Substantial attention is given to socio-economic determinants of health and health consequences of the digital revolution. This part will emphasize the link between economic theory and health policy introducing students to topical issues such as the economics of sleep. During the third part, we will introduce the basics of the economics of immigration. Topics to be covered include: selection in immigration, immigrant assimilation, labor market effects of immigration, and the effects of immigration on various outcomes (e.g., health, attitudes, voting, crime, and fertility). For active participation: regular attendance of lectures and seminar presentations. All students are required to present one of the different seminar papers or to summarize an assigned chapter. Presentations should be 20 minutes long and outline the content of the article/topic to be discussed. In cases of research papers, this includes identifying the research question, methodology, and findings. Presenters should be prepared to answer questions related to the reading. For a grade: written final examination. The final exam will cover all topics discussed in class. Once you have been accepted to the seminar you will be added to the second part of the lecture shortly after the registration period ends. Attendance at the first session is mandatory.

    • 32711 Seminar
      International Trade, Migration and Health - Case Studies (Luca Stella)
      Schedule: Mo 16:00-18:00 (Class starts on: 2025-10-13)
      Location: 319 Seminarraum (Lansstr. 7 / 9)

      Comments

      This course provides a graduate-level introduction to the study of international economics, covering some of the most important theories and applications of international trade, health, and migration. Each week, the presentation of theorethical contributions is accompanied by a comprehensive overview of the corresponding empirical validations. The course is divided into three parts. During the first part, we will introduce the basics of international trade. Current debates surrounding globalization and international trade are assessed against the concepts and empirical evidence taught in class. In particular, we will investigate the determinants of trade patterns, the Ricardian model and its empirical applications, the employment effect of the China shock, and study the causes and effects of trade policy. The objective is to gauge how international trade and globalization affect welfare, firms, labor markets and wages. During the second part, we will illustrate how economists analyze the production of health and the delivery of health care services. Substantial attention is given to socio-economic determinants of health and health consequences of the digital revolution. This part will emphasize the link between economic theory and health policy introducing students to topical issues such as the economics of sleep. During the third part, we will introduce the basics of the economics of immigration. Topics to be covered include: selection in immigration, immigrant assimilation, labor market effects of immigration, and the effects of immigration on various outcomes (e.g., health, attitudes, voting, crime, and fertility). For active participation: regular attendance of lectures and seminar presentations. All students are required to present one of the different seminar papers or to summarize an assigned chapter. Presentations should be 20 minutes long and outline the content of the article/topic to be discussed. In cases of research papers, this includes identifying the research question, methodology, and findings. Presenters should be prepared to answer questions related to the reading. For a grade: written final examination. The final exam will cover all topics discussed in class. Once you have been accepted to the seminar you will be added to the second part of the lecture shortly after the registration period ends. Attendance at the first session is mandatory.

    • 33091a Elective Lecture
      Finance and Development (Christian Ambrosius, Barbara Fritz)
      Schedule: Termine siehe LV-Details (Class starts on: 2025-10-17)
      Location: 201 (Seminarraum), Rüdesheimer Str. 54-56, 14197 Berlin

      Information for students

      Anrechenbarkeit: Für Studierende des FB Wiwiss Modul Area Studies in Empirical Economics Anmeldung: Campus Management Prüfungsleistung: Das Modul setzt sich aus einer Vorlesung und einem Seminar zusammen. Eine benotete Prüfungsleistung ist nur durch Belegen dieser Kombination möglich. Modulprüfung Hausarbeit (ca. 15 Seiten) Kontakt: christian.ambrosius@fu-berlin.de

      Comments

      How does the financial system shape economic development? The course provides a broad overview of key topics and the specific challenges faced by countries of the Global South. At the macro level, we study patterns of financial development and economic growth; the historical role of finance in state-led development strategies; financial crises; as well as debates around exchange rates and capital account management. We also study topics at the household level, and challenges related to financial access among low-income households. Students engage with both classic theories and current debates, gaining a critical understanding of how finance can drive or hinder development. The lecture offers an overview of key issues, while the accompanying seminar teaches research methods and guides students in writing a term paper on a topic of their choice.

      Suggested reading

      Ocampo, J. A. (2025): Financing for Development. The Global Agenda. Published online by Cambridge University Press. Thirlwall, Anthony P. and Pacheco-Lopez (2017): Economics and Development Theory and Evidence. Palgrave Macmillan.

    • 33092a Wahlveranstaltung
      Finance and Development (Christian Ambrosius, Barbara Fritz)
      Schedule: Termine siehe LV-Details (Class starts on: 2025-10-17)
      Location: 201 (Seminarraum), Rüdesheimer Str. 54-56, 14197 Berlin

      Information for students

      Anrechenbarkeit: Für Studierende des FB Wiwiss Modul Area Studies in Empirical Economics Anmeldung: Campus Management Prüfungsleistung: Das Modul setzt sich aus einer Vorlesung und einem Seminar zusammen. Eine benotete Prüfungsleistung ist nur durch Belegen dieser Kombination möglich. Modulprüfung Hausarbeit (ca. 15 Seiten) Kontakt: christian.ambrosius@fu-berlin.de

      Comments

      How does the financial system shape economic development? The course provides a broad overview of key topics and the specific challenges faced by countries of the Global South. At the macro level, we study patterns of financial development and economic growth; the historical role of finance in state-led development strategies; financial crises; as well as debates around exchange rates and capital account management. We also study topics at the household level, and challenges related to financial access among low-income households. Students engage with both classic theories and current debates, gaining a critical understanding of how finance can drive or hinder development. The lecture offers an overview of key issues, while the accompanying seminar teaches research methods and guides students in writing a term paper on a topic of their choice.

      Suggested reading

      Ocampo, J. A. (2025): Financing for Development. The Global Agenda. Published online by Cambridge University Press. Thirlwall, Anthony P. and Pacheco-Lopez (2017): Economics and Development Theory and Evidence. Palgrave Macmillan.

  • Modules w/o courses in this semester

    16 Modules
    • Optimal Taxation 0353cA1.4
    • International Public Economics 0353cA1.5
    • Economic Area Studies 0258eB1.10
    • Topics in Economic Theory 0258eB1.11
    • Topics in Applied Economic Theory 0258eB1.12
    • Topics in Empirical Economics 0258eB1.13
    • Advanced Economic Theory 0258eB1.20
    • Methods in Empirical Economics 0258eB1.4
    • Methods in Economic Policy Analysis 0258eB1.7
    • Applied Economic Policy Analysis 0258eB1.8
    • Area Studies in Economic Policy Analysis 0258eB1.9
    • Law for Students of Public Economy 0353cB1.18
    • Practical Methods (for Students of Public Economics) 0353cB1.19
    • Knowledge Transfer 0353cB1.20
    • Internship 0353cC1.1
    • Research Project (Research Project) 0353cC1.2