Academic Departments and Programs

Political Economy

Traditionally, the study of politics and economics was combined. Modern thinkers like Adam Smith and John Locke were referred to as political economists: individuals who understood the intricate relationship between economics and politics. A push for specialization has led to a separation of the study into two distinct disciplines. Yet at The College of Idaho we recognize that a good understanding of either discipline really requires a good understanding of both. Consequently, we have created two interdisciplinary majors to serve the specific needs of our students. The Political Economy Major is specifically designed for students primarily interested in domestic politics, law, economics/business related careers, and public policy. The International Political Economy Major is specifically designed for students whose primary interests lie in the study of international politics, international economics/business, and foreign affairs. We also offer minors in Political Economy and International Political Economy.

The international political economy courses contain a strong interdisciplinary emphasis, incorporating relevant concepts and perspectives from other social science disciplines. Principles and philosophical concepts are presented within the respective historical context in which they developed to emphasize the importance of history and culture to the evolutionary development of national, regional and global entities. Particular emphasis is given to Asia and Europe.

The department has a 3+3 BA or BS/JD cooperative program with the University of Idaho whereby students can complete a Bachelor of Arts or Science from The College of Idaho and a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Idaho. Students pursuing any major are encouraged to explore this unique opportunity. See the "Cooperative Programs" section for specific requirements.

Majors

International Political Economy Major

Major Requirements (36 credits):

*Competence will be measured by successful completion of two intermediate level college semester courses in a foreign language or by passing a standardized intermediate level foreign language examination.

Students who plan to enter graduate school or law school are encouraged to write a senior thesis. The thesis topic, definition of terms, method of analysis and bibliography must be carefully planned and approved by the Department at the conclusion of the junior year and successful completion of POE-299. During the senior year, students writing a thesis will enroll in POE-480, which partially fulfills the 400-level seminar requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes

  • To provide opportunities for students to reassess personal values regarding economic and political issues.
  • To provide opportunities for students to gain an understanding of economic and political principles within a broad global societal context and to give them feedback that evaluates their personal understanding. .
  • To require students to develop the ability to express both orally and in writing, complex and personally developed positions regarding political and economic matters.
  • To require students to develop an understanding of major political/economic philosophies and questions of justice and to provide opportunities for students to struggle with questions of justice regarding public policies in a global environment.
  • To require our majors to develop the perspective and sufficient analytical methods needed to develop the proficiency required to conduct actual research of issues containing strong economic and political content.

Political Economy Major

Major Requirements (36 credits):

Senior Thesis

Students who plan to enter graduate school or law school are encouraged to write a senior thesis. The thesis topic, definition of terms, method of analysis and bibliography must be carefully worked out and approved by the Department at the conclusion of the junior year and successful completion of POE-299. During the senior year, students writing a thesis will enroll in POE-480, which partially fulfills the 400-level seminar requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes:

  • To provide opportunities for students to reassess personal values regarding economic and political issues.
  • To require students to gain a personal understanding of economic and political principles within a broad domestic context.
  • To require students to develop the ability to express both orally and in writing, complex and personally developed positions regarding political and economic matters.
  • To require students to develop an understanding of major political/economic philosophies and questions of justice and to provide opportunities for students to struggle with questions of justice regarding public policies in our society
  • To require our majors to develop the perspective and sufficient analytical methods needed to develop the proficiency required to conduct actual research of issues containing strong economic and political content

Minors

International Development Minor

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):

*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

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):

Student Learning Outcomes

  • Critical Thinking
  • Analytical Reasoning
  • Problem Solving
  • Written Communication

Pre-Law Minor

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):

*Particularly Recommended: ENG-299T.25, ENG-299T.4, and ENG-380.5.

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