International Political Economy

The International Political Economy (IPE) major investigates the intersection between economics and politics in the global environment. It encourages the integrated analysis of global problems and issues using the tools and methods of political studies and economics.

Students undertaking the IPE major are expected to:

  • 1. gain an appreciation for competing theoretical perspectives;
  • 2. learn to consider the multiple and overlapping economic and political linkages between and among global actors;
  • 3. learn to engage in critical and creative thinking;
  • 4. master the application of different methodological tools to analysis of IPE issues;
  • 5. gain field experience abroad; and
  • 6. apply these tools and develop expertise through senior year research on a particular IPE problem or issue.

Requirements for the Major:

Thirteen courses are required: ἀve required introductory-level courses, three required upper-level courses and five electives.Students are also required to undertake some form of international field research or internship.

All Pitzer Study Abroad programs and most exchanges provide such opportunities.

Five Introductory Level Courses:
1. Econ 51. Principles of Macroeconomics
2. Econ 52. Principles of Microeconomics
3. POST 30. Comparative Politics
4. POST 40. Global Politics
5. POST 70: Research Methods

Three Upper-Level Required Courses:
1. Econ 104 or Econ 105. Macroeconomic Theory or Microeconomic Theory (Note: Calculus is a prerequisite for Econ 104 and Econ 105).
2. POST 141: International Political Economy
3. Senior Seminar in Political Studies
(Note: The senior seminar should be selected in consultation with your adviser)

Five Elective Courses:

Five elective courses must be selected from the following list, designed to encourage breadth within the field. The five courses must include at least two courses in Economics and at least two courses in Political Studies. Additionally, at least one course labeled A and one course labeled B must be included. Appropriate courses at the other Claremont Colleges may be substituted in consultation with your advisor. The two economics electives must be taken within the Claremont Colleges consortium.

  • • Econ 140. Economic Development (A)
  • • Econ 145. International Economics (B)
  • • Econ 146. International Finance
  • • Econ 182. Economic History of Globalization
  • • POL 102 (Scripps). Cooperation and Rivalry in the European Union
  • • POST 113. Immigrants, Citizenship and Nationalism in the EU
  • • POST 115. Rival Models of Capitalism in Europe (B)
  • • POL 119 (Scripps). Public Policy in the European Union (B)
  • • POST/lIS 120. The State and Development in the Third World (A)
  • • POST/lIS 122.Contemporary Political and Social Movements in the Third World (A)
  • • POST/lIS 123. Third World Socialism
  • • POST/lIS 127. Environment and Development in the Third World (A)
  • • POST 142. The Third World and the Global Economy (A)
  • • POST/CHS 174 US Immigration Policy
  • • POST 183 Welfare State in Comparative Perspective
  • • POST 187 History and Political Economy of World Soccer
  • • IIS 141. Agricultural Development in the Third World (A)
  • • IIS/Hist 17. History and Political Economy of Natural Resources.

In addition to required courses IPE majors are recommended to take (a) a course in world history and (b) an area focused course (such as Econ 141. The Chinese Economy, Econ 142. The Japanese Economy, POST/lIS 125. African Politics) where relevant.

Honors candidates will be expected to achieve a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or better in the required coursework and submit a deserving honors thesis. Normally, the thesis readers should include readers from both Political Studies and Economics.

Pitzer Advisers: G. Herrera, E. Stephens, N. Boyle, L. Tongun.

International Political Economy in the Pitzer College course catalog