Department of Political Science
Political Economy and Public Policy
Our economic system does not operate in a vacuum. The issues we address as a society, such as taxation, environmental protection, regulation of business, and trade policy, are greatly influenced by the political interests of powerful constituencies. A variety of interest groups, including labor unions, businesses, taxpayers, consumers,
environmentalists, and retired citizens, attempt to achieve economic ends at least in part by political means. The Political Economy and Public Policy major emphasizes these interactions between the economic and political systems through course work in both economics and political science. It is excellent preparation for those interested in careers in the public policy arena or those who intend to pursue graduate study in economics, political science, public policy, or the law. Students in this major may not take any courses in economics or political science on a pass-fail basis. To continue as a major, the student must maintain a 2.000 grade point average in all course work in the program. Majors may satisfy the writing intensive
course requirement for the major in economics or political science.
Public Policy/Political Economy Major Checklist
Major Requirements
Prerequisites:
ECN 101 Principles of Macroeconomics ECN 102 Principles of Microeconomics
PSC 101 Introduction to American National Government
PSC 103 Introduction to Comparative Politics & International Relations MTH 121 Calculus I
Core Courses:
ECN 220 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory ECN 222 or 223. Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory PSC 960 Political Science Internship
Required Pair:
ECN 490 CUE: History of Economic Thought AND
PSC 343 International Political Economy
Elective Pair (choose one):
I. ECN 332 or 333 Public Finance AND
PSC 219 or 220 Public Administration OR
PSC 221 Government Regulation of Business OR
PSC 400 Seminar in Urban Policy & Planning
II. ECN 335 International Trade & Globalization OR
FIN 362 Multinational Financial Management AND
PSC 339 or 340 Theories of International Relations OR
PSC 341 American Foreign Policy
III. ECN 245 or 246 Environmental Economics OR
ECN 249 Economics of Natural Resources & Sustainability AND
PSC 216 Environmental Politics & Policymaking OR
PSC 330 or 331 Comparative & International Environmental Policies
IV. ECN 243 Healthcare Economics AND
PSC 213 Public Health Policy
V. ECN 251 or 252 Economic Growth & International Development AND
PSC 232 Governments & Politics of East Asia OR
PSC 237 Governments & Politics of Africa OR
PSC 244 or 245 Government & Politics of Latin America OR
PSC 248 or 249 Governments & Politics of the Middle East
With the approval of the appropriate program director, a seminar or special topics
course may be substituted for an economics or political science course in the optional
pair area. PSC 960 Political Science Internship will be arranged to meet the student’s
particular interests.