International Political Economy and Diplomacy, B.A.

NOTE: THIS PROGRAM IS NO LONGER ACCEPTING NEW STUDENTS OR INTERNAL TRANSFERS

Carlson Hall
Telephone: (203) 576-4153
Fax: (203) 576-4967

Curriculum and Program Requirements

The major in International Political Economy and Diplomacy provides students with a comprehensive understanding of the global political economy as well as the analytical skills to evaluate change and direction. Po­litical economy describes the nexus between politics and economics, and international po­litical economy studies the arena where inter­national politics and international economics meet. The subject matter of International Po­litical Economy is the study of the interna­tional economic system and how it produces, distributes, and uses wealth. The study of the international political system focuses a set of institutions and rules by which social and economic interactions are governed. It rep­resents an investigation of the political basis of economic action and the economic basis of political action. An important additional consideration is the role of international law in developing universal principles and norms in the conduct of international relations, and governing of relations between states and their citizens. Because diplomatic negotia­tions form the basis of new international law, and because diplomacy operates within the framework of extant international law, the study of diplomacy is an important compo­nent in the study of international political economy.

Learning Outcomes

The B.A. in International Political Econo­my & Diplomacy has the following learn­ing outcomes: 1) students will demonstrate an ability to explain and compare different political and economic systems; 2) students will be able to reflect on the role of culture, history and religion in international political economy; 3) students will be able to explain the role of diplomacy and conflict resolution in international relations; 4) Students will demonstrate a basic working knowledge of a world language other than one’s mother tongue; 5) students will demonstrate the ability to use critical thinking in their evalu­ation of issues and problems in international political economy; and 6) students will dem­onstrate practical skills in helping resolve global disputes through diplomacy and con­flict resolution.

* Note that for all College of Public and In­ternational Affairs majors, a portfolio is col­lected to track progress in programmatic out­comes.