Public Affairs
Advanced Seminar Communication Economics
Prof. Dr. Tobias Kretschmer, Dainis Zegners, Christian Peukert
Course Overview
Usually, the political and regulatory environment is assumed to be exogenous for firms. This, however, contrasts with what we observe in the real world: A lot of firms spent significant resources on public affairs departments and other lobbying activities to influence the political environment in their favor. This opens up several interesting questions: What goals do firms pursue by lobbying and how can they improve their political environment? When does lobbying play a beneficial role in the political process and when should we limit such activities? What role do interests of different interest groups, stakeholders and individuals play?
This seminar will give the participants a theoretical introduction into lobbying and especially give them an inside-view into the practical side of lobbying through a field trip to Berlin. We will take a look at the interdependencies between the public and the private sectors and examine the inner workings of the "Berlin Republic". Planned are visits to public affairs departments of companies, private agencies and the Bundestag.
Course Structure
At the kickoff meeting, topics for mid-term student presentations will be assigned. The main part of the seminar will consist of:
- Block 1: Theory of Lobbyism - Student presentations
- Block 2: Practice of Lobbyism - Field trip to Berlin
Application
To apply, please send your CV, a recent transcript and a brief e-Mail motivating your application to Dainis Zegners (
d.zegners@lmu.de) until 8 April 2012 (confirmation of participation: 10.04.2012).
Organization
General
- The course is held as a block seminar in English
- This seminar will not serve for admission to writing a Bachelor thesis at the ISTO
- The number of participants is limited to 15
- By attending the kickoff session, you are bindingly enrolled for the seminar; please note the remarks of the examination board (Prüfungsausschuss)
| Dates | Tuesday, 17.04.2012, 13:00-16:00, Schackstr. 4/III, Room 307 (Kickoff session) Friday, 30.05.2012, 10:00 - 18:00, Schackstr. 4/III, Room 307 (Interim presentations) Tuesday - Thursday, 5.06. - 7.06.2012, Field trip to Berlin |
| Deadlines | Sunday, 08.04.2012 (Application) Sunday, 15.07.2012, 18:00 (Term paper) |
| Credits | 6 ECTS in module V/VII (PO 06) or M-BWL (PO 08) |
| Examination | Interim presentation and term paper [Please strictly adhere to our formal requirements (PDF - 205 kB)] |