1) Do I need to write a Senior Honors Thesis?
No. You do not need to write a Senior Honors Thesis to obtain a degree in IP&E. Only students who seek to graduate with Honors should contemplate a thesis project.
2) What Middlebury College courses count toward the major?
For the list of eligible courses, see the IPE courses page.
3) When should I declare my major?
The sooner, the better, since you have to complete 12 courses, and some of them are mandatory before going abroad. It is even truer if you are a Feb student and plan to go abroad for a year.
4) Can I double major or minor in another discipline?
Because of the complex and interdisciplinary nature of the international politics and economics major, IP&E students are strongly advised not to pursue an additional major. In addition, IP&E majors may not minor in either economics or political science and may not major or minor in their primary language of focus.
5) How do I know if an elective counts towards my major?
In addition to the seven core IPE courses listed in the requirements (PSCI 0103, 0109, 0304, ECON 0150, 0155, 0210 [or 0250 for classes 2014.5 and earlier], and 0340), students must complete five electives. Three of these must be political science courses, of which one must be a senior seminar (a course at the 0400 level); two must be economics courses, of which one must be a senior seminar (a course at the 0400 level). For a list of offerings at Middlebury College that fulfill the elective requirement, see the IPE courses page. If students wish to fulfill electives while studying abroad, please seek pre-approval from the IPE director.
6) Will I get credits for courses taken abroad?
You need to get a pre-approval by the director of the IP&E program. Juniors wishing to study with the C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad should consult with the appropriate language department and the Office of Off-Campus Study.
7) What about AP, IB, or A-level credits?
See the Advanced Placement policy.
8) I am an International Student, do I need to take a language and do I have to go abroad?
Study abroad is an integral part of the IPEC major, so the requirement to go abroad may be waived by the IPEC director only under exceptional circumstances. International students must still study a foreign language (i.e., not English and not their native language) and achieve the level of proficiency (set by the language department) that would permit them to study abroad in that language.
9) Can I count a course offered during winter term for my IPE major?
No, winter term courses do not count for IP&E credit.