FernUni spezial

Since summer 2008, Professor Dr. Helmut Breitmeier holds the chair for "International Politics". The main research subject is the analysis of politics in international and transnational institutions. In particular, the analytical focus of the research team is directed on exploring the effectiveness and legitimacy of structures and processes of international and transnational governance.

Professor Dr. Helmut Breitmeier and his staff are exploring the functions of international institutions and organizations. The research team investigates the different forms and modes of global governance. It focuses on the different levels of global governance and on the constellations of actors that can be found in the relationships between states, the global economy and global civil society. The special focus of research is the analysis of new modes of governance in global environmental politics and, more specifically, in the issue area of climate change. In addition, the team explores topics related to transnational security threats and the role of religion in world politics.

The chair contributes in teaching to the Bachelor-Program (BA) "Politics and Administration", to the Master-Program (MA) "Governance" and to the Magister Artium-Program (M.A.) "Political Science". The chair is in charge of all modules dealing with international relations in these programs. It is also responsible for the introductory module of the BA "Politics and Administration".

The interdisciplinary distance learning study program on environmental studies – infernum – broadens the chair's work in research and teaching. Professor Dr. Helmut Breitmeier is one of the two scientific directors of this innovative advanced study program.

The chair is closely linked with other universities and research institutes on a national and international level.

Deutsche Version

FernUniversität in Hagen, Department of Political Science, 58084 Hagen