political economy

See political economy & political science for more about how this subject is taught at Evergreen.

While studying political economy, you will learn the ways in which the U.S. and global economies have been organized and reorganized, how systems of economic and political power operate, and how they are changed.

You can study the history of empires in structuring the global economy; examine food systems and agriculture; and mass media’s role in social relationships. You’ll learn how social change has occurred in the past so you can be a more effective agent of change. Finally, you can explore alternative visions for economies and societies that promote justice and environmental sustainability. 

How to Create Your Path

You’ll choose what you study to earn a Bachelor’s degree that’s meaningful to you. Some students decide their programs as they go, while others chart their course in advance.

Aim for both breadth and depth; explore fields that may be related or that may seem very distant. You'll be surprised at what you discover.

If you're new to college, look for programs where you can gain a foundation, build key skills, and broaden your knowledge (FR only, FR-SO, or FR-SR).

If you already have a foundation in this field, look for programs with intermediate or advanced material (SO-SR, JR-SR, or FR-SR). These programs may include community-based learning and in-depth research. Some of these programs have specific prerequisites; check the description for details.

Talk to an academic advisor to get help figuring out what coursework is best for you.

Planned offerings for 2018–19
Class Standing Quarters Offered Credits
Alternatives in and to Capitalism: Hands-on from Cascadian Grain to Basque Cooperatives SO-SR
  • Winter
  • Spring
 16
Becoming A Changemaker: Learning and Acting Locally and Globally FR-SR
  • Winter
  • Spring
 8
Climate Justice SO-SR
  • Spring
 16
Current Economic Issues and Social Movements FR-SR
  • Spring
 8, 16
Diversity, Democracy, and Fake News: Making Our Way in the Time of Trump FR-SO
  • Fall
 16
Financial Sustainability for Non-profit Organizations FR-SR
  • Winter
  • Spring
 8
Gateways for Incarcerated Youth: Critical Literacy and Critical Numeracy SO-SR
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
 16
Geopolitics, Energy, Economics, and Stewardship of the Pacific Northwest SO-SR
  • Spring
 16
Global/Local Realities and Alternative Visions JR-SR
  • Fall
  • Winter
  • Spring
 16
Intermediate Microeconomics SO-SR
  • Spring
 16
Political Ecology of Land: Urban Planning, Property Rights, and Land Stewardship JR-SR
  • Fall
  • Winter
 16
Political Economy and Environmental and Social Movements: Race, Class, and Gender SO-SR
  • Fall
  • Winter
 16
Political Economy of Public Education: History and Philosophy SO-SR
  • Winter
 16
Production, Profits, and People FR-SR
  • Fall
 16
Radio Practice and Politics SO-SR
  • Winter
 8
Teaching through Performance FR-SR
  • Fall
  • Winter
 16
The Making of Global Capitalism, 1500-1914 JR-SR
  • Winter
 16
Transnational Identities, Migration, and Unequal Childhoods SO-SR
  • Spring
 16
Who Gets What?: Political Economy of Income, Wealth, and Economic Justice FR-SR
  • Winter
 16
Who Gets What?: Political Economy of Race, Class and Gender FR-SO
  • Fall
 16
Planned offerings for 2019–20
Class Standing Quarters Offered Credits
Cooperatives, Direct Democracy, and Sustainable Business Enterprises SO-SR
  • Spring
 16
Intermediate Macroeconomics SO-SR
  • Spring
 16
Liberty, Equality, Authority: Modern Political Philosophy JR-SR
  • Winter
 8
Making Change: Social Entrepreneurship and the Public Good FR-SR
  • Fall
 8
Political Economy and Social Movements SO-SR
  • Fall
  • Winter
 16
Political Economy of Power in American Society SO-SR
  • Fall
 16
Social Science Approaches to Solving Environmental Problems JR-SR
  • Spring
 16