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Instructors: PD Dr. Silke Ötsch
Event type:
Seminar
Displayed in timetable as:
P-SEM
Hours per week:
2
Credits:
6,0
Language of instruction:
German
Min. | Max. participants:
10 | 25
Comments/contents:
On the one hand, the topic of money is a major political issue: Concerned economists and citizens worry about the "expropriation of savers," the effects of interest rates, the outbreak of inflation or the monetary policy of central banks. Another camp wants to promote ecological transformation via alternative monetary policy.
In addition, there are recent developments in the field of cryptoassets, which are currently still manageable in size, but may interact with other markets in the medium and long term. Convinced supporters of cryptocurrencies consider them to be superior currencies that should replace established monetary systems. Others see cryptoassets primarily as technical innovations or investment products.
These debates are often conducted emotionally, although or because little basic knowledge about money is available. The seminar provides an overview of monetary theories, function of money (e.g. money creation), new developments in the field of cryptocurrencies, money markets and monetary policy in its social effects (e.g. steering and distribution policy) as a field of social conflict. A closer look at debates around money shows that theoretical-ideological upheavals are also emerging in this field, such as the transition from Keynesianism to monetarism and libertarian views and ideologies to Modern Monetary Theory, anthropological and sociological looks at money.
Learning objectives:
Students should learn to develop a relevant problem area with interdisciplinary references, to comprehend relevant theories on the subject of money, to interpret specialist literature and empirical data, and to supplement the available information with their own observations, research and analyses. They should be able to view the phenomenon critically and take a well-founded position.
Didactic concept:
Students should first understand what money is, how money, money creation and monetary policy work and how the money market relates to financial or credit markets and what role the shadow financial sector plays, based on appropriate economic and sociological literature and the study of relevant organizations (banks, financial and money market actors, central banks). What do central economic theories (Keynesianism, Monetarism, Modern Monetary Theory) say about the effects of central bank monetary policy? In a second step, the extent to which money is socially embedded will be explored. To this end, sociological positions will be considered. One part of the seminar looks at cryptocurrencies and gives an overview of the modes of operation, forms of cryptocurrencies, their relationship to other forms of money and financial products, and their ideational context.
Finally, social discourses and conflicts around money and cryptocurrencies will be analyzed. Which social reform projects with money are pursued by which actors.
Students will be given the opportunity to deepen their own focus within the advertised content. You are expected to teach a topic or theory of your choice in the seminar.
Literature:
Literature will be announced at the beginning of the course.
Additional examination information:
Examination and study achievements in the profile module and in the elective area:
Type of examination: term paper or equivalent performance
Grading scheme: RPO (graded)
Length: 20,000-25,000 characters (approx. 12 pages)
Deadline: end of April 2022.
Other (ungraded) coursework: Participation in seminar.
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