In this section

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN

  • Political, economic, and social factors that shape global problems
  • How to examine global issues through the lens of competing perspectives
  • Expertise and skills relevant to a wide range of careers anywhere in the world

WHO YOU COULD BE

  • Digital Fundraising Manager
  • Import/Export Specialist
  • Strategy Consultant
  • Cultural Exchange Associate
  • Research Program Coordinator
  • Customer Analytics Manager

OVERVIEW

How are global issues shaped by political, economic and social institutions? How does the relationship between states, markets, and civil society on a global stage affect issues like unemployment, poverty, and the environment? How are power and wealth distributed between and within nations?

The International Political Economy (IPE) major prepares students for an increasingly interdependent world through the study of global issues. Students take courses in IPE, as well as in economics, political science, sociology and anthropology, so they can understand the world from different (and sometimes competing) perspectives. The IPE major culminates in a senior thesis in which students demonstrate the depth and breadth of the liberal arts education to tackle a complex question. Many IPE alumni work in careers related to the interests they developed as IPE students.

 

Becca Duncan '17
ALUMNA
Becca Duncan '17

"IPE prepared me for the future by teaching me to think holistically. Since IPE is such an interdisciplinary major, I feel prepared to address issues at work with a multifaceted approach, and to think critically from a variety of perspectives."

SAMPLE COURSES

EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING

A sampling of student internships and student research grants:

  • Sencity, China (impact entrepreneurial intern)
  • Court Appointed Special Advocates - CASA (program coordinator intern)
  • Washington State Department of Agriculture (international marketing intern)
  • Phoenix Stoker-Graham '24, summer research grant, "The Impact of Tacoma Community Gardens on Local Food Security"
  • Abby Foy '19, summer research grant, "Exploring Power and Intersection Between Language, Identity, and Economic Opportunity in The Gambia"

JOBS

Our alumni work at:

  • Amazon (treasury analyst)
  • Washington State Department of Commerce (research program coordinator)
  • World Vision (senior technical advisor)
  • KQED, PBS (digital fundraising manager)
  • Center for Disease Control and Prevention (public health analyst)

CONTINUE STUDYING

Our alumni continue their studies at:

  • University of California, Berkeley (School of Law)
  • George Washington University (Master of Public Health)
  • London School of Economics (Masters in International Political Economy)
  • Thunderbird School of Management (MBA in Global Management)
  • NYU - Steinhardt School of Culture Education and Human Development (Masters in Education and Social Policy)

BEYOND THE CLASSROOM

Students in China
CHINA

Many IPE students secure internships abroad, including a number in China in organizations such as ECOVIS, DELSK, and Hoolihome.

Amy Colliver '20 in Argentina
ARGENTINA

Amy Colliver '20 spent a summer doing research in Argentina on the role of feminist civil society activism in creating policy change.

Brazil
BRAZIL

Jonah Kone '19 did IPE summer research in Brazil on the Landless Workers' Movement and their development in rice agroecology and their struggle in the face of political change.