International Politics & Economics Requirements
(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.
(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. 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 director of the IP&E program to be eligible to 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.
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 advisers a thesis prospectus for formal approval. To identify suitable thesis topics, it is highly recommended that IPE thesis candidates begin consulting with the potential advisers 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