Public Economics, Law and Politics
The power and legitimacy of modern states is largely determined by complex interactions between politics, law and the economy. Due to tendencies toward globalization and internationalization, this interaction, particularly in recent times, has been subject to dynamic processes of change. As a result, new forms of statehood and new relations between state, society and the economy will develop. The master's degree in Public Economics, Law and Politics focuses on the analysis of these dynamic interrelationships on the basis of theoretical and methodological foundations in order to develop a problem-oriented and integrated approach to these dynamics.
Content and Idea
The PELP program offered at Leuphana Graduate School unifies disciplines that have traditionally examined the relationship between state, society, and the economy. Questions, problems, and solutions that ensue from this complex network of relations will be analyzed from the perspective of political science, economics, and law. Particular focus will be given to the causes, the contexts, and the social and economic effects of state action. The program aims at providing an academically grounded, yet interdisciplinary account of how politics, law, and the economy interact.
Program Structure
The disciplinary-focused electives enhance students' expertise in the individual disciplines of political science, public law, and economics. Six individually chosen modules, which can be freely combined, impart theories, approaches, and methods used to analyze political science issues and problems from a disciplinary perspective.
In the first semester, two customized bridge modules provide basic knowledge in those disciplines in which students have not acquired any or full knowledge during their previous studies. In the second and third semester, disciplinary course offerings are complemented by an interdisciplinary perspective within the scope of the area of integration: within the scope of a combination of two modules each, students will jointly examine selected topics and problems from the perspective of the relevant disciplines.
The master's program curriculum is complemented by a cross-disciplinary Complementary Studies program, where students study general academic foundations reflecting on science, as well as by the area of Master’s Forum & Research Perspectives. In the latter, students acquire methodological and organizational knowledge necessary to prepare and carry out independent legal, economic, and political analyses and research projects. Based on this intensive preparation phase, students complete their master’s studies in the fourth semester by writing their master’s thesis.
First semester courses will be held predominantly in English, whereas from the second semester onwards, courses will be taught in English and German.
Prospects
The master's program in Public Economics, Law and Politics provides academically grounded, interdisciplinary and problem-oriented education in political science. It is aimed at familiarizing students with theories, approaches, methods, and empirical evidence of contemporary political science research. The degree program prepares them to engage in political consulting and assume leadership positions in political administration, such as ministries or international and supranational institutions. The degree program also encourages students to engage in further academic work, for example in research institutions at the interface of the three disciplines of Public Economics, Law and Politics.
Upon completion of the graduate program of studies, students are awarded the Master of Arts (M.A.) degree.
Aspirants
The master's degree program is targeted at national and international graduates with a bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in the field of politics, law, economics and administrative sciences. Would you like to acquire research skills as well as practical experience in the interdisciplinary field of political science? Admission requirements include, among other aspects, an above average transcript from the previous degree as well as adequate knowledge of the English language. In addition, basic knowledge in two of the three disciplines constituting the degree program (politics, law and economics) or general knowledge in state administration is required.
For further information about admission requirements, please click on the “Application” button.