Global Political Economy
The global political economy (GPE) minor is an interdisciplinary program in the social sciences that focuses on all aspects of globalization and international economics in the contemporary world. In order to declare this minor, students must receive a grade of B or better in one of the two required core courses. Current students, please visit our Answers page for the official list of approved courses that count toward the minor each semester. For a complete list of minor requirements, please visit the online Course Catalog.
GPE Core Courses
- International Relations (PSC). Learn about foreign policy, decision making, comparative foreign policy, international transactions and the international system.
- World Political Economy (GEO) takes a geographical approach to the political economy of capitalism. Learn key theories of capital accumulation, uneven development and social struggle.
GPE Upper Division Courses (12 credits)
The minor also requires four courses numbered 300 or above from a list of approved courses, including at least one course in economics and one course in political science. Course options vary by semester and cover issues of trade, global health, social justice, climate and more. Please see our course schedules on Answers for current offerings.
Global Security Studies
The global security studies (GSS) interdisciplinary minor allows students to explore the complex international environment using the analytical tools provided by the social sciences. In order to declare this minor, students must receive a grade of B or better in one of the two required core courses. Current students, please visit our Answers page for the official list of approved courses that count toward the minor each semester. For a complete list of minor requirements, please visit the online Course Catalog.
GSS Core Courses
Students are required to take two introductory courses:
- Either International Relations (PSC) OR Global History 1750 to Present (HST)
AND
- Either Global Encounters: Comparing World Views & Values Cross-Culturally (ANT) OR Human Geographies (GEO)
Upper Division Courses (12 credits)
Advancing Fair Trade
Whitman School of Management alumna Kristen Unangst ’18 pursued her interest in fair trade with a minor in global political economy at the Maxwell School and a full-time internship in Hong Kong. Her internship with TransPerfect, a global translation company, also introduced her to the idea of working abroad. “It was important to me to figure out if that was a path I could ever take.”
Kristen Unangast '18
Accounting Manager, Eaton