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.
See also Path of Study Political Economy, Global Studies, and Environmental Justice
Faculty
See faculty who teach in Politics and Government.
How to Choose 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.
| Title | Class Standing | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Community Food Systems: Worker Cooperatives & Food Justice |
|
16 |
| Narrative Psychology and Storytelling: Recovering the Past to build Feminist Futures |
|
8, 12 |
| Narrative Psychology and Storytelling: Recovering the Past to build Feminist Futures |
|
8, 12 |
| Flaming Eggplant Cafe: Cooperative Food Business Management (Fall) |
|
16 |
| International Economics and the Political Economy of Borders |
|
16 |
| Alternatives to Capitalism: Socialism and Other |
|
16 |
| Community Building Through Social Entrepreneurship and Business Development |
|
8, 12 |
| Community Building Through Social Entrepreneurship and Business Development |
|
8, 12 |
| Student-Originated Studies: Reimagining Community Safety |
|
8 |
| Refugees, Migrants, Borders and Walls |
|
16 |