Program Overview

Economics/Political Science, BA

Introduction

The study of Economics provides insights into decision-making, market outcomes and the functioning of the overall economy. Political Science is concerned with the structure and function of both domestic and international political systems, and engaging questions associated with American politics, international politics, public policy and political theory. The combined Economics / Political Science major provides students with rigorous preparation in both economic theory and applications, and political processes at the national and international levels. By combining coursework in Economics and Political Science, students gain an interdisciplinary perspective important to understanding both political and economic issues. Students are trained in research methods used in Economics and Political Science, giving them interdisciplinary tools for problem solving and policy making. Students in this program will gain insight into a variety of areas including trade, monetary systems, development, and the interplay between politics and economics within the U.S. and the international system.

Why Consider an Economics/Political Science Major?

The curriculum prepares students for careers in public service-related occupations in both government and business. Many students majoring in Economics/Political Science go on to law school, graduate school and into the professions. By combining coursework in both Economics and Political Science, students gain an important interdisciplinary perspective to important political and economic issues.

Student Resources

• Department website: Economics and Political Science
• Department advising: See the pre-major advising section of the College of Business and Economics website.
• Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.
• Career Services Center: Connect major to a career
• Sample careers:
  • Attorney
  • Financial Planner/Analyst
  • Law School
  • Politician
  • Economist
  • Banking
  • Real Estate
  • Entrepreneur
  • Campaign Worker
  • Insurance
  • Government Consultant

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process)

Students planning to major in Economics/Political Science should declare their major as early as possible, preferably their first year at Western. Completion of the CBE foundation courses is not required to declare this combined major in economics.

Admissions

Programs in the College of Business and Economics (CBE) are selective and based upon prior academic performance and other evidence of high promise. For admission to CBE as a full Economics/Political Science major, a student must have completed the following requirements:

• Confirmed admission to Western Washington University
• Achieved a 2.5 cumulative college GPA (including transfer work) Complete and submit the online application form.

Study Abroad Transfer Credit

The Economics Department and the Political Science Department encourage students to participate in study abroad opportunities that further their academic studies. Up to twelve (12) credits of approved study abroad coursework can be applied to the major requirements. Students can distribute those credits across both/either the Economics requirements or the Political Science requirements up to a total of 12 study abroad transfer credits.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.

Requirements (94-97 credits)

• Choose one from:
  • DSCI 205 - Business Statistics (4 credits)
  • MATH 240 - Introduction to Statistics (4 credits)
  • MATH 341 - Probability and Statistical Inference (4 credits)
• ECON 206 - Introduction to Microeconomics (4 credits) (HNRS 209 - Colloquium in Microeconomics may be taken in place of ECON 206)
• ECON 207 - Introduction to Macroeconomics (4 credits)
• ECON 303 - The History of Economic Thought (4 credits)
• ECON 306 - Intermediate Microeconomics (4 credits)
• ECON 307 - Intermediate Macroeconomics (4 credits)
• ECON 310 - Public Sector Economics (4 credits)
• PLSC 250 - The American Political System (5 credits)
• PLSC 261 - Introduction to Political Theory (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • MATH 124 - Calculus and Analytic Geometry I (5 credits)
  • MATH 134 - Calculus I Honors (5 credits)
  • MATH 138 - Accelerated Calculus (5 credits)
  • MATH 157 - Calculus with Applications to Business and Economics (4 credits)
  • (or AP Calculus Exam with a score of 3 or better)
• One course from:
  • PLSC 271 - Introduction to International Relations (5 credits)
  • PLSC 291 - Introduction to Comparative Politics (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • PLSC 346 - Politics of Inequality (5 credits)
  • PLSC 372 - International Political Economy (5 credits)
  • PLSC 390 - The Politics of Development (5 credits)
• One course from:
  • PLSC 427 - Politics of the Policy Process (5 credits)
  • PLSC 462 - The Rise of Modern Political Economy (4 credits)
• One Course from:
  • ECON 491 - Issues in Political Economy (4 credits)
  • PLSC 491 - Issues in Political Economy (4 credits)
• 12 additional credits in upper-division economics courses, under departmental advisement
• 9 additional credits from the following American Politics and Public Policy field:
  • PLSC 311 - Introduction to Law and the Legal System (5 credits)
  • PLSC 313 - Law, Courts, Politics, Society: Non-legal Perspectives of Law (5 credits)
  • PLSC 314 - The U.S. Supreme Court: Law and Politics (5 credits)
  • PLSC 321 - Queer and Lesbian Gay Bisexual Transgender Politics (5 credits)
  • PLSC 323 - Black Politics in the U.S. (5 credits)
  • PLSC 327 - Urban Politics and Policy in the U.S. (5 credits)
  • PLSC 345 - Women and Politics (5 credits)
  • PLSC 346 - Politics of Inequality (5 credits)
  • PLSC 347 - Race, Politics and Public Policy (5 credits)
  • PLSC 348 - Environmental Justice (5 credits)
  • PLSC 353 - State and Local Politics (5 credits)
  • PLSC 355 - Digging into the Deep State: Organizational Politics and US Bureaucracy (5 credits)
  • PLSC 366 - Quantitative Methods in Political Science (5 credits)
  • PLSC 414 - Constitutional Law: Separation of Powers and Federalism (5 credits)
  • PLSC 415 - Constitutional Law: Civil Rights and Liberties (5 credits)
  • PLSC 420 - Environmental Politics (5 credits)
  • PLSC 423 - The American Presidency (3 credits)
  • PLSC 427 - Policy-Making and Policy Analysis (4 credits)
  • PLSC 431 - Senior Seminar in American Politics and Public Policy (3-5 credits)
  • PLSC 449 - Politics and Social Change (4 credits)
  • PLSC 450 - Parties, Campaigns and Elections (4 credits)
  • PLSC 467 - Philosophical and Ethical Issues in Law (5 credits)
  • PLSC 489 - Managing an International Ecosystem (5 credits)
• 4 additional credits from the following Political Theory field:
  • PLSC 361 - Classical Political Thought (4 credits)
  • PLSC 362 - Political Theory: Renaissance and Modern (4 credits)
  • PLSC 364 - Contemporary Political Theory (4 credits)
  • PLSC 432 - Senior Seminar - Political Theory (3-5 credits)
  • PLSC 462 - The Rise of Modern Political Economy (4 credits)
  • PLSC 463 - American Political Thought (4 credits)
  • PLSC 469 - Feminist Political Theory (4 credits)
  • PLSC 471 - Race and Political Theory (5 credits)
  • PLSC 472 - Comparative Political Thought (5 credits)
  • PLSC 473 - Politics and Culture (5 credits)
  • PLSC 480 - Politics, Government and Religion (4 credits)
  • PLSC 493 - Issues in Political Theory (4 credits)
• 8-9 additional credits in upper-division political science electives, to complete the program.
• Take one Communication Focus - Economics (CF-E) or Communications Focus (CF) course within the College of Business and Economics and a minimum of three writing proficiency points in approved upper-division writing proficiency courses (WP-3 points) at WWU with a minimum grade of C-. The WP requirement can be met with courses from any of the combined major departments. These requirements can be completed as part of the above required and elective credits.
• Note: ECON 309, ECON 446 and ECON 447 may not be counted toward this major.

University Graduation Requirements

• General University Requirements
• Writing Proficiency Requirement (WP)
• 180 Minimum Total Credits
• 60 Minimum Upper Division Credits
• Residency Requirement
• Minimum Grade Requirements
• Final Quarter Requirement