040195 KU Alternative management (2026S)

The course is aimed at Master's students who are interested in alternative economic concepts, in particular non-profit organisations (NPOs) and non-governmental organisations (NGOs), including in an international context.

Alternative economic forms, in particular NPOs, are increasingly performing important public tasks in European countries, whether in the field of care, education or renewable energy sources. They are therefore becoming cornerstones of democratic civil societies, expressed, among other forms, through bottom-up organisations (e.g. citizens' initiatives, etc.). The roots of these civil society organisations can be found, among other sources, in the dissident movements of the 1970s and 1980s in the former Eastern European countries and in the protest movements against military dictatorships in Latin American countries.

In addition, (international) NGOs perform important development policy tasks in many parts of the world, focusing on human rights (e.g. Human Rights Watch), environmental (e.g. Greenpeace) or humanitarian issues (e.g. Ärzte ohne Grenzen). In the process, they expose violations of fundamental human rights, the undermining or prohibition of freedom of expression, or the destruction of environmental resources.

The aim of this course is to show participants the wide range of concepts and areas of activity of, for example, European NPOs and international NGOs as ‘guardians’ of fundamental values such as democracy, equality and justice. The focus is on their different goals, degree of organisation, forms and their relationship to society.

Class participation, short quizzes, a (dynamic/alternative) group presentation/or written peer feedback, and a written final paper (10 pages/per person) complete the course. The presentation, quizzes, and final paper can be written/held in German or English.