The Changing World Order: Geopolitical and Social Dynamics and a Practical Guide to Dealing with the Future Based on Lessons from the Past.

The world is changing in big ways that have not happened before in present lifetimes but have many times in history. So we need to
(A.) study past changes to understand what is happening now and help to
(B.) anticipate what is likely to happen.
This seminar provides an overview of the geopolitical and social dynamics of a changing world order.
(A.) To analyze the past, two theories are being introduced: (1) Big Debt Cycle Theory: Students will define the geopolitical forces that drive nations to fail and succeed and apply variables of such changes to their professional and personal lives. (2) Generational Theory: Modern history moves in cycles, each one lasting about the length of a long human life, each composed of four eras-or "turnings"-that last about twenty years and that always seem to arrive in the same order. These turnings have different dynamics and seem to shape different characters.
(B.) A Look into the future: Even though, we do not know what the future will look like exactly, we are able do define a collection of megatrends that will shape our future, e.g. forces of technology, education, nationalism, post truth, work, equality. But which tools will be relevant to navigate these megatrends and an ever-changing-world on a personal and professional level? Megatrends help us to describe the future so we are able to define such core competencies that will be relevant for the future, e.g. the four Cs: Critical thinking, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity.

lecture, reading, discussion, presentation, group work, games, self-reflection, writing, video, podcasts

Students will know about and be able to discuss (Learning Outcomes):
1. the Big Debt Cycle Theory (quantitative model): The geopolitical forces that drive nations to fail and succeed and apply variables of such changes to their professional and personal lives.
2. the Generational Theory (qualitative model): Modern history moves in cycles, each one lasting about the length of a long human life, each composed of four eras-or "turnings"-that last about 25 years and that always seem to arrive in the same order throughout history.
3. A collection of Megatrends of the future: A future outlook on most urgent issues, concepts and a global conversation about how to take on the problems of the 21st century.
4. Constructive Tools for the future: define critical skills that will help navigate future megatrends.
5. Personal and professional strategies to master macro mega-trends on a micro level.
6. Explore and define theories of a dominant economic, social and political transition over centuries from past to future - e.g. the shift from an industrial to an information-based society.

Will be provided via Moodle

Parts of assessment:

A: 70% Classroom Activity:
Small group tasks tied to reading, Activities connected to questions, problems, and reading material, In-class writing that's exploratory and/or writing-to-learn, Formal writing assignments supported by explicit instruction, drafts, and revision, Mini-presentations

B: 30 % Reflective Portfolio (one longer assignment at the end of the course, consisting of a set of exercises)

Attendance min. 80%

Grading

8 Lectures are organised asynchron. The lecturer will inform you at the beginning of the course.

Grundlagen und Abgrenzung des Controlling (Funktion und Rolle des Unternehmens, Konzepte der Unternehmensführung, Unternehmen als komplexes System, Steuerungsmechanismen für Unternehmen), Grundlagen der Bilanzanalyse, Kennzahlensystem ROI, finanzielles Rechnungswesen als Analyse- und Informationsinstrument (Bewegungsbilanz, direkte und indirekte Cashflow-Ermittlung, Kapitalflussrechnung, Fallstudien), operative Steuerung mit Finanzkennzahlen (Liquidität, Stabilität, Rentabilität), Kapitalbedarfs- und Gründungsplanung, zukunftsgerichtete finanzielle Steuerung (Planungsinstrumente, Abgrenzung der operativen Planung, Leistungsbudget, Finanzplan, Planbilanz), wertorientierte Unternehmenssteuerung, Kostenplanung und Abweichungsanalyse.

Vorlesung

Präsentationen, Fallstudien, Diskussionen

Schriftliche Prüfung

In diesem Modul steht die Anwendung des erworbenen Wissens im Vordergrund. Die Studierenden lernen, das im Programm und insbesondere in den Technologie- und Innovations-Modulen erworbene Wissen auf eine reale, unternehmerische Herausforderung gesamthaft anzuwenden. Nach jeweils kurzen Inhaltsblöcken werden die Teilnehmenden auf ihre "Anwendungssprints" gesetzt. Dies wiederholt sich und endet mit einer Ergebnispräsentation. Vorgegebene Tools und Templates unterstützen die Umsetzung. Das bisher erworbene Wissen wird somit vertieft und im Anwendungskontext eingesetzt. So haben die Studierenden nicht nur einen individuellen Lerneffekt, sondern auch einen Nutzen in der unternehmerischen Umsetzung. Die abschliessende Diskussion hilft mit, den Teilnehmenden Schwachstellen Ihrer Problemeinschätzungen und vorgeschlagenen Lösungen zu erkennen und zu verstehen.

Präsentationen, Fallstudien, Diskussionen

Präsentation, Fallstudienanalyse

Neben hellen und dunklen Persönlichkeitseigenschaften von Führungskräften wird ein besonderer Fokus auf das Full Range Leadership-Modell gelegt, welches sowohl die transformationale (charismatische), die transaktionale und die Laissez-faire-Führung beschreibt. Die transformationale Führung gilt als besonders mächtige und idealisierte Form von Führung. Die transaktionale Führung fokussiert sich stärker auf Zielvereinbarungen und auf Austauschprozesse zwischen Führungskraft und Geführten. Eine besonders passive Form von Führung stellt die Laissez-Faire Führung dar, welche sehr negative Auswirkungen auf die Mitarbeitenden und die Organisation ausüben kann.

Essay, praktische Prüfung (Rollenspiel, Fallstudie)

Essay, praktische Prüfung (Rollenspiel, Fallstudie)

Web-based Information Systems covers subjects related to Web-related technologies. The goal is providing a solid understanding of the “Internet”, which is a cornerstone of modern Information Systems. Students are expected to learn a solid basis that can be further expanded by other courses taught in the MSc. in Information Systems. The main topics discussed in Web-based Information Systems entail:

· Basic architectures of Distributed Systems
· Routing and Switching
· IP and MAC addresses
· Domain Name System
· Client/Server
· Content Delivery Network
· Local Area Network and Wide Area Network
· Virtual Private Network
· Transmission Control Protocol and User Datagram Protocol

• Interactive Lectures
• Simple in-class Exercises (a laptop is required)
• (optional) Homework

After successful completion of the course, students will know how the Internet works at a basic level. They will be able to understand the various processes that occur while browsing the Web. They will also learn how to allocate the IP address pool to configure a simple network. In more detail, students will

Professional competence

• Understand the pillars of distributed information systems and related acronyms: DNS, IP, MAC, LAN, WAN, VPN, CDN, TCP, UDP

Methodological competence

• Know the steps that are performed by “client and server” while exchanging the information involved in web-browsing
• Learn how to setup an environment of networked information systems

Social competence

• Be able to understand and express themselves in “technical” terminology

Personal competence

• Learn the elements that make up a network of information systems

Technological competence

• Configure the network interfaces of information systems

Written exam (60min)

Risk Management and Derivatives:

• Financial risk management
• Financial derivatives
• Use of derivatives in financial risk management

Decision Theory:

• Expected utility theory
• Mean-variance theory
• Prospect theory
• Non-cooperative game theory
• Asymmetric information
• Market efficiency
• Behavioral biases

Enrollment from WS23/24
These admission requirements:

• To register for modules in the specialization, the modules Statistics, Business Mathematics, and English I must have been successfully completed.
• In addition, the module Finance must be successfully completed in order to register for the IFS specialization.

Enrollment before WS23/24
Either the above admission requirements or:

• To register for modules in the fifth semester, all modules from the first year of study must be successfully completed.
• Elective courses are not taken into account for these regulations.

Für die Anmeldung zum Modul Research Methods II muss das Modul Research Methods I erfolgreich absolviert sein.

In this course, student groups work on solving a current and relevant practical problem in finance. The problem is provided by a project owner, typically a financial services company or a faculty member with practical experience. Students will apply complex theoretical concepts to develop a satisfying solution to the given problem.

• Group project work
• Practical problem-solving in finance
• Collaboration with project owners
• Application of theoretical concepts
• Final project report preparation

• Interactive seminar sessions with multiple presentations.
• Communication with project owners.
• Preparation of a final project report.

After successful completion of the course, students will
Professional competence

• learn to autonomously solve complex practical projects in finance.

Methodological competence

• develop teamwork skills.
• structure projects into manageable packages.
• utilize the abilities of all group members effectively.

Social competence

• enhance discussion and writing skills.
• become a convincing and contributing team member.

Personal competence

• exercise and improve presentation skills.
• become effective communicators.

Technological Competence:

• use project management software.
• apply financial analysis tools.
• utilize digital platforms for collaboration and communication.

.

Depending on the project type; Attendance is mandatory (80%)

In Anlehnung an das Business Model You, einer innovativen und wirkungsvollen Methodik in vier Schritten, um „persönliche Geschäftsmodelle“ zu entwickeln, werden Studierende dabei unterstützt, sich im neuen Arbeitsumfeld Universität zurechtzufinden und das Studium für ihre persönliche Weiterentwicklung zu nutzen. Schwerpunkte sind: Design Thinking Workshop, Teamarbeit und -reflexion; Ziel- und Erwartungsklärung sowie Kompetenzentwicklung im Studium, Feedbackkultur, Arbeits- und Lernmethoden im Studium und Zeitmanagement.

• Übung mit maximal 30 Teilnehmern
• Erfahrungsbasiertes Lernen
• Workshop
• Handlungsorientierte Übung mit Vorlesungsanteilen