This course is about the functions and effects of political institutions. We will study institutional design in a comparative perspective and how it influences political actors' decisions, public opinion, and the policy outcomes. Every week we will discuss the assigned readings and do lab exercises with STATA. By the end of the course students should have: 1. A good working knowledge of the main theories of political institutions and latest developments in the field; 2. A sound understanding of the research design and methods used in the field. 3. Hands-on knowledge of statistical techniques used to analyze institutional effects. Basic knowledge of quantitative methods is required. More information: https://agnes.hu-berlin.de/lupo/rds?state=verpublish&status=init&vmfile=no&publishid=138883&moduleCall=webInfo&publishConfFile=webInfo&publishSubDir=veranstaltung Schließen