Political Economy Department Minors
International Development Minor
PEAKS | Social Science & History |
The International Development minor is designed for students interested in development and related issues such as economic growth, poverty, globalization, culture change, and political order. Grounded in the discipline of Political Economy, this minor is an excellent field for students interested in how society organizes itself through government, the market, and non-governmental actors. As a minor program, it is a useful complement to other major and minors in the Humanities, Natural Sciences, and Professional Studies. Students with primary interests in this topic should consider the International Political Economy major. The minor consists of 16-17 credits, inclusive of a 1 credit Independent Study course in ATH-494 or POE-494 in which students complete a starred paper.
Minor Requirements (16 - 17 credits):
- POE-120 International Politics (3 cr)
- POE-263 Introduction to Political Economy (4 cr)
or
POE-299T Poverty in Africa and Asia (3 cr) - Two of the following:
- One of the following:
- POE-360 Comparative Politics (3 cr)
- POE-321 Comparative Economics (3 cr)
- POE-370 Political Economy of China (3 cr)
- POE-371 Political Economy of Japan (3 cr)
- POE-374 Political Economy of Southeast Asia (3 cr)
- POE-376 International Economics (3 cr)
- POE-380 International Political Economy (3 cr)
- ATH-249 Natives of South America (3 cr)
- ASN-301 China: Global Development and Local Cultures (3 cr)
- ASN-302.1 Southeast Asia: Traditions and Transitions (4 cr)
- ATH-494 Independent Study (1 cr)*
or
POE-494 Independent Study (1 cr)*
*To complete the minor students must also revise a paper written in one of the minor courses as a starred paper and submit it to all faculty members who service the minor. This non-credit requirement is to demonstrate satisfactory research and writing abilities within the minor.
Student Learning Outcomes:
- Critical Thinking
- Analytical Reasoning
- Problem Solving
- Written Communication
- Assist students to distinguish development from economic growth and to appreciate its conceptual and theoretical complexity. Assist students to understand the political-economic and cultural dimensions of development approaches and policies.
- Assist students to understand development through cross-cultural comparison.
Political Economy Minor
PEAKS | Social Science & History |
Political Economy involves analyzing and explaining the ways in which government affects the allocation of scarce resources in society through public policies AND the ways the economic system affects the policies created by government. In this program, students are required to develop critical reasoning skills while recognizing the importance of economic, political, and philosophical principles in the process of developing a better understanding of how Western and non-Western societies interact with each other and provide for their material well-being.
Political Economy is an excellent field for students interested in how society organizes itself through government, the market and non-governmental actors. It is a fine complement for programs that are affected by political economic forces both domestically and globally.
Minor Requirements (16 credits):
- POE-100 Essentials of American Government (3 cr)
or
POE-241 Introduction to Public Policy (3 cr) - POE-120 International Politics (3 cr)
- POE-250 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3 cr)
- POE-263 Introduction to Political Economy (4 cr)
- One additional 300-level course within the Department of Political Economy (3 cr)
Student Learning Outcomes
- Critical Thinking
- Analytical Reasoning
- Problem Solving
- Written Communication
Pre-Law Minor
PEAKS | Professional Studies & Enhancements |
The Pre Law Minor is meant to create a foundation in preparation for a career in law. As a professional enhancement minor, the Pre Law Minor is further designed to help prepare students to succeed in law school. Through the minor students will be introduced to the American political system, precedent-setting Supreme Court cases, and philosophical/ethical frameworks for judging legal questions.
Minor Requirements (18 credits):
- POE-250 Introduction to Political Philosophy (3 cr)
- POE-241 Introduction to Public Policy (3 cr)
- POE-300 Constitutional Law I (3 cr)
- POE-301 Constitutional Law II (3 cr)
or
BUS-391 Legal Environment (3 cr) - A three credit course in English, either from:
ENG-299T (3 cr) (any topic)
or
300-level (3 cr)* - One ethics course in Philosophy:
Potential Options to Prepare for Law School
There are multiple pathways to law school. No particular major is recommended. Indeed law schools accept students who have majored in everything from Music to Environmental Studies. Regardless of the major, students would benefit from courses in several disciplines not required for the minor including: International Relations, History, Sociology, and Environmental Studies.
Student Learning Outcomes
- Help prepare students for a career in law by introducing them to the American political system, precedent-setting Supreme Court cases, and philosophical/ethical frameworks for judging legal questions
- Help prepare students for law school by teaching them how to brief a constitutional law case and become comfortable and competent in reading and understanding constitutional jurisprudence
- Critical Thinking
- Analytic Reasoning
- Problem Solving
- Written Communication