Political Economy and Public Policy, A.B.

Program Director:  Dr. Christopher Herrick, Professor of Political Science
Professors:  Borick, Deegan, Hashim, Kish-Goodling, Raymond, Slane
Associate Professors:  Knox, Mello, Nagy
Assistant Professors:  Fadlon, Ray-Choudhuri
PEPP Advisors:  Herrick, Hashim

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, environmentalists, consumers, 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 2.00 grade point average in all course work required for the program.  Majors may satisfy the writing intensive course requirement for the major in economics or political science.