Policy Analysis in the Age of Language Modelling

What it is about

You learn how political research is transformed by computer-assisted methods, with a focus on Natural Language Processing (NLP) for the analysis of policy processes. In the end you will be able to explain central theories of the policy process, reflect on their methodological foundations, apply selected NLP techniques to large policy-text datasets, and assess their theoretical implications.

What you will be able to do

• Explain core theories of the policy process
• Describe methodological foundations of policy research
• Critically evaluate the influence of Computational Methods and NLP on theory development
• Apply NLP techniques to large-scale policy texts
• Assess the implications of algorithmic decisions on theoretical concepts
• Interpret computer-generated results theory-inflected

What the module consists of

• VorlesungIntroduction to policy-process theories, epistemological foundations and analytical frameworks
• ÜbungApplication: data acquisition, annotation, replication of studies and practical workflows for text analysis

Teaching method

• VorlesungenConveying theories, epistemological foundations and methodological frameworks
• Diskussionen und ÜbungenFostering analytical thinking, theory-informed data analysis, collaborative problem solving and critical evaluation of computational approaches
• Blended/Online/PräsenzformateFlexible option depending on didactic suitability and content