This seminar is considered to be a highlight of the Summer School in Law, Business & Economic Policy, in particular, and of the MSc in Business and Economics, in general.
The target is to give master students an opportunity to write an own paper in English (that may be considered to be a first step towards the master’s thesis), to present the conclusions to an international audience of researchers at Georgetown University or New York University and discuss the results. It also offers PhD students and Postdocs the chance to present their research in front of students and faculties at either Georgetown University or New York University. In addition, it allows you to get in touch with well-established faculty members from our partner universities and develop a personal network.
Traditionally, students travel in spring semester for 10 days to Washington D.C. and New York City. They present their seminar papers in front of an international audience and visit international institutions.
Fall Semester 2024
| August 2024 | Individual meetings with Prof. Weder (approx. 30 minutes) Students discuss feedback to the proposal and the current stage of their seminar paper. |
| 1 October 2024, 14:15 - 17:15 | First meeting of the seminar group. |
27 November 2024, 13:00 | The complete seminar paper has to be submitted. Prof. Weder and Prof. Macher will go through your seminar papers. In case, of a clearly insufficient paper, students will be informed in the beginning of December that they are not admitted to the second half of the seminar (i.e., excursion to the U.S.). |
Spring Semester 2025
| 2 - 12 February 2025 | U.S. Excursion Traditionally, the excursion starts with a one-week-long stay in Washington D.C. - the capital of the United States, followed by a four-day stay in New York City. |
In this seminar, you can choose your own topic. Business as well as economic topics are most welcome.
In case you have a hard time in finding your "own" topic or question that serves as a basis to hand in a research proposal Prof. Weder is happy to assist you on this. For more details, please see "Current ideas for topics".
Accepted topics in former seminars
A clear and logical structure is essential for a scientific paper. Depending on the research topic, a different structure might seem more appropriate. Please see the "Formal Requirements" for more details.
The regular application period runs from 13 May to 10 June 2024.
In addition to the online application, please submit a research proposal (3-4 pages) in which you explain your idea, the main research question and how you intend to answer the question. You should mention a possible theory that may help to find an answer and describe the empirical analysis (do you intend to do a case study or do you want to analyze data you have identified?). Name three to four important pieces of the literature that is relevant to your research.
Attractive topics, for example, include a comparison of regulations, policies or institutions (in the USA, Europe, Switzerland). They may integrate business and economic aspects or be based in the area of law and economics. We are very open regarding the topics, but reward quality and originality.
The seminar is jointly offered by Prof. Rolf Weder (University of Basel) and Prof. Jeffrey Macher (Georgetown University). During the presentations of the seminar papers, other faculty members join the seminar and act as discussant.
The best performance in the U.S. Seminar "Business, Law and Economic Policy" is rewarded with CHF 1'000.
In 2024 the award was given to Mr. Aulis Pesenti for his research paper on "The Economic Dynamics of the Effect of Covid-19 Policies in OECD Countries: A Diff-in-Diff Event Study". Congratulations!
From left to right: Prof. Rolf Weder (University of Basel), Aulis Pesenti and Prof. Jeffrey Macher (Georgetown University).
You will be provided free lodging and some of the meals during the seminar. Additionally, you will receive an allowance of a maximum of CHF 700 to cover part of your expenses for the flight.
You are responsible for your travel arrangements (i.e. flight etc.), visa, etc. and have to be present from the first day of the seminar to the final day. You can, of course, arrive ahead of time or prolong your stay if you like (at own expenses).
Moreover, the best overall performance in the seminar is rewarded with CHF 1'000.
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Studium Generalis)
Module: Research Design in Business and Economics
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Data Science and Compuational Economics)
Module: General Electives in Data Science and Computational Economics
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Economics)
Module: Research Design in Economics
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Finance, Controlling and Banking)
Module: Research Design in Finance, Controlling, Banking
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: International Business, Trade, and the Environment)
Module: Research Design in International Business, Trade and the Environment
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Labor Economics, Human Resources and Organization)
Module: Research Design in Labor Economics, Human Resources and Organization
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Marketing and Strategic Management)
Module: Research Design in Marketing and Strategic Management
Master's Studies: Business and Economics (Specialization: Monetary Economics and Financial Markets)
Module: Research Design in Monetary Economics and Financial Markets
Master's Studies: Business and Technology
Module: Preparation Master's Thesis in Business and Technology
Master's Studies: Economics and Public Policy
Module: Preparation Master's Thesis in Economics and Public Policy
Master's Studies: European Global Studies
Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Handel und Unternehmen in der Globalisierung
Vertiefungsmodul Global Europe: Regional Integration and Global Flows
Master's Studies: Finance and Money
Module: Preparation Master's Thesis in Finance and Money