International Affairs Catalog Listing | Course / Exam Schedule
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International Politics & Economics Requirements
A major must take twelve regular fall or spring term courses in economics and political science. At least nine of these twelve courses must be taken at Middlebury College. *
* Transfer students should meet with the director of IP&E.
(1) Courses in Political Science: PSCI 0103, PSCI 0109, PSCI 0304 (PSCI 0304 must be taken at Middlebury College) and three electives in comparative politics or international relations, at least one of which should concern the region of interest (i.e. a region corresponding to a student's language study), and at least one of which should be a senior seminar in comparative politics or international relations. The senior seminar must be taken at Middlebury College.
(2) Courses in Economics: Students in the class of 2011 and later are required to take ECON 0150, ECON 0155, ECON 0250, ECON 0340 (ECON 0340 must be taken at Middlebury College) and two approved electives with an international orientation, at least one of which should concern the region of interest (i.e., a region corresponding to a student's language study), and at least one of which should be a senior seminar. The seminar must be taken at Middlebury College. Students in the class 2010 and earlier are required to take ECON 0150, ECON 0155, ECON 0250, ECON 0255, plus ECON 0340, and an approved ECON senior seminar with an international orientation, but may also petition the IP&E Director to be eligible for the new requirements.
(3) Senior Seminar on International Political Economy: At least one of the two required senior seminars must be concerned with "international political economy" and chosen from a list identified by the two participating departments.
(4) Language Study: Students in international politics and economics must achieve the language department's standard of linguistic competence before going abroad.
(5) Term or Year Abroad: Under normal circumstances, this will be completed at one of the Middlebury schools abroad or in the approved Japanese or Middle Eastern programs.
Beginning with the class of 2013, IP&E majors must fulfill the College's senior work requirement by completing a research tutorial and independent research project.
Winter term courses do not count towards the major.
International Students: The requirement to spend a term or year abroad may be waived for international students.
At a minimum, majors in the class of 2011 or later should complete PSCI 0103, PSCI 0109, ECON 0150, ECON 0155, and ECON 0250 before going abroad for a semester. Students who will be abroad for a full year should also complete PSCI 0304 before leaving Middlebury. Students in the class of 2010 or earlier should complete PSCI 0103, PSCI 0109, ECON 0150, and ECON 0155 before going abroad for a semester. Students who will be abroad for a full year should complete two additional economics courses (chosen from among ECON 0250, ECON 0255, or ECON 0340), and PSCI 0304 before leaving Middlebury.
Because of the complex and interdisciplinary nature of the international politics and economics major, IPE students are strongly advised not to pursue an additional major. In addition, IPE majors may not minor in either economics or political science or their primary language of focus.
Honors: In addition to their 12 required courses, students can choose to write a senior thesis. To launch a thesis project, students must submit to their advisors a thesis prospectus for formal approval. To identify suitable thesis topics, it is highly recommended that IPE thesis candidates begin consulting with the potential advisors during their junior year. For details, deadlines and a timetable, see http://www.middlebury.edu/academics/ump/majors/ipe/courses/thesis/
The determination of honors, high honors, and highest honors is based on (1) the level of the grade achieved on the thesis; and (2) the level of the average grade received in Middlebury College courses. Honors candidates must have an IPE course average of 3.3 and a thesis grade of B+ to attain honors; an IPE course average of at least 3.5 and a thesis grade of A- or higher to attain high honors; and an IPE course average of at least 3.7 and a thesis grade of A to attain highest honors. Note: Thesis grades do not count in the calculation of the GPA for honors, and a thesis cannot be pursued as a fifth course during any of the three semesters.
International Politics and Economics Courses
IPEC 0500 International Politics and Economics Advanced Project (Fall, Winter, Spring)
IPEC 0700 International Politics and Economics Senior Thesis (Fall, Winter, Spring)
For students with an interest in international issues, Middlebury's Rohatyn Center for International Affairs (RCFIA) is an important resource. It supports the College's goal of becoming an institution known preeminently for teaching global understanding that radiates from a core linguistic and cultural competency. The RCFIA serves as an internationally oriented resource center for students, faculty, alumni, and others in the Middlebury community. Additional information is available at http://www.middlebury.edu/administration/rcfia
1) What courses are eligible for Fall 2009
Economics: 0150, 0155, 0230, 0250, 0327, 0335, 0340, 0424, 0428, 0444, and 0445
Political Science: 0103, 0109, 0214, 0221, 0225, 0228, 0229, 0240, 0250, 0304, 0431, 0456, and 0457
2) What courses are eligible for Spring 2010
Economics: 0150, 0155, 0225, 0250, 0327, 0340, 0431 and 0445
Political Science: 0103, 0109, 0202, 0209, 0227, 0236, 0258, 0260, 0304, 0311, 0330, 0335, 0351, 0404, 0450, 0437, 0449, and 0454
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 willing 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?
Check on the Political Science website under the sections “International Relations” and “Comparative Politics”. About the (at least) two senior seminars in both Economics and Political Science, in 2009-2010 the list of courses includes: PSCI 0405, 0431, 0437, 0449, 0450, 0454, 0456, 0457; ECON 0424, 0425, 0428, 0429, 0431, 0444, 0445, 0455.
6) Will I get credits for courses taken abroad?
You need to get a pre-approval by the director the IP&E program. Juniors wishing to study with the C.V. Starr-Middlebury Schools Abroad programs in China, France, Germany, Italy, Latin America, Russia, or Spain should consult with the appropriate language department and the Office of Off-Campus Study. These programs are open to all qualified students. Grades for courses taken on approved programs abroad and in approved programs of domestic off-campus study will be recorded on the transcript and will be included in the calculation of the grade point average. See College Handbook.
7) What about AP credits?
For AP credits, the IP&E major relies on the rules of the economics and political science departments. Check the respective websites: economics & political science.
8) I am an International Student, do I need to take a language and do I have to go abroad?
Since you are already abroad, the requirement to study abroad may be waived by the director of IP&E. However, international students must still study a foreign 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.
(Last updated 11/12/09)