International Political Economy, MA

The Master of Arts in International Political Economy (MAIPE) prepares students to analyze the complex interactions between political and economic trends, both domestically and at the international level. Providing the analytical tools and contextual background, students are prepared for the challenges of competition in market economies around the globe. The MAIPE program also provides a foundation of fully transferable credits for students interested in subsequently pursuing a doctoral degree.

Admission requirements are detailed in the Admission section of the Bulletin.

Degree Requirements

Coursework: 48 units; no Master’s research paper is required.

Final Paper Portfolio: All students are required to submit two papers to the program office. One paper must be written during the student’s first semester in the program. A second paper should represent the student’s best work and may come from any subsequent semester that the student is enrolled in the program. Papers are used for accreditation reviews of the program. The program’s Student Handbook provides additional details.

University Policies: University policies detailed in the Academic Policies section of the Bulletin apply.

Core Course Requirement (8 units)

Two courses from the following:

SP&E 351 - Comparative Political Institutions
SP&E 352 - Comparative Political Economy
INST 401 - World Politics
SP&E 411 - International Political Economy

Research Tools (12 units)

SP&E 400 Math Preparations Workshop (0 units) for those who need basic calculus, linear algebra and probability theory
INST 481 Statistical Methods for Social Sciences (4 units)
INST 483 Multivariate Analysis in International Studies Using SAS (4 units)

And

INST 487 Advanced Topics in Applied Econometrics OR
SP&E 317 Advanced Formal Models OR
SP&E 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business OR
SP&E 489 Advanced Research Design

Formal & Economic Background (12 units)

SP&E 317 - Advanced Formal Models

Then choose two courses from the following:

ECON 302 - Macroeconomic Analysis
ECON 313 - Microeconomic Analysis
SP&E 472 - Complexity Theory in Economics and Politics
INST 410 - Political Economy of International Developmet
SP&E 471 - Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business*

*required for Track 2 students

Tracks (choose one of the following):

Track 1: Applied Political Economy (16 units)

INST 410 - Political Economy of International Development

Then choose three courses from the following:

PP 408 Seminar in World Politics: Political Demography OR
TNDY 407I Seminar in Social Demography
PP 412 Regional Integration
ECON 272 Environmental Economics
ECON 235 Money and Banking, OR ECON 350 Global Money & Finance
ECON 247 International Trade Theory and Social Inquiry OR
ECON 355 International Trade Theory and Policy
SP&E 348 Regulatory Policy
PP 361 Comparative Politics of the Middle East
PP 354 Politics of Developing Countries
PP 363 Asian Politics
PP 366 Latin American Politics
PP 375/POST 225 African Politics
PP 420a Foreign Policy of the USA
PP 420b Foreign Policy of Europe
PP 420c Foreign Policy of Russia and FSR
PP 420d Foreign Policy of East Asia
PP 420e Foreign Policy of Latin America
PP 420f Foreign Policy of the Middle East
PP 420g Foreign Policy of Africa
PP 420h Foreign Policy of South Asia
PP 438 Foreign & Defense Policy

Track 2: Applied Agent-Based Political Economy (16 units)

INST/SPE 471 Strategic Modeling for Politics, Economics & Business

Then choose three from the following.

PP 439 Seminar in Dynamic Modeling
PP 447 Seminar in Social Network Analysis
PP 316 Seminar in Computational and Agent-Based Modeling
SP&E 448 Seminar in Computational and Agent-Based Modeling
SP&E 472 Complexity Theory in Economics and Politics

Note: Students who wish to substitute classes or create alternative tracks must gain prior approval by a Faculty Advisor.