Political Economy

The Political Economy program has provided information for students who plan to study abroad. Review your department’s responses to the Major Advising Questionnaires below, then contact the department directly with any additional questions

Advising Resources

Study Abroad Information on the Political Economy Website

Political Economy Advising Contact Information

Major-Specific Info

The Political Economy major strongly encourages its students to add an international dimension to their education by participating in Berkeley Study Abroad (BSA). PE students attend study abroad programs at universities around the world and take classes that allow them to improve their language skills and gain comparative perspectives on a wide variety of political economy issues. With proper academic planning, students can have the experience of a lifetime while completing their degrees on schedule. 

Why study abroad?

Study Abroad for PE majors provides many benefits. Through Study Abroad, you will observe different political economic systems, issues, and policies in action and witness how other countries are responding to an increasingly globalized world. Because this major is interdisciplinary, students can tailor their Study Abroad curriculum to best fit their interests and take advantage of unique academic and experiential opportunities by taking courses of interest not readily available on the Berkeley campus.  

Study abroad will help you develop practical life experiences by:

  • Developing your self-confidence and independence
  • Increasing your proficiency in another language
  • Improving your critical thinking and problem-solving skills
  • Preparing you for graduate school or a career in an internationally competitive world
When can I study abroad?

While it is possible for PE students to go abroad at almost any point in their academic careers, the particular semester or year that you study abroad depends on what courses you plan to take. Students interested in participating in language programs or taking college breadth requirements can participate as early as sophomore year. Students aiming to fulfill upper-division major requirements should generally go abroad in their junior year or first semester of their senior year. 

Students wishing to go abroad in their final semester are strongly encouraged to complete their major requirements before going. Courses taken abroad are evaluated only upon a student's return and there are no guarantees that they will be approved for the major. 

To determine the best time period for you to study abroad, consult with a Political Economy advisor at the IAS office in 101 Stephens Hall. 

Where can I study abroad?

PE students planning to complete a portion of their major abroad have many options. The type of program you choose will depend on language proficiency, academic goals, and time constraints.  

PE students have previously studied abroad at a wide variety of universities around the world, including but not limited to:  

  • Diplomacy and Policy Studies, Amman, Jordan
  • Fudan University, Shanghai, China
  • Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
  • Pontifical Catholic Univ. of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
  • Sciences Po, Paris, France
  • University of Ghana, Accra, Ghana
  • University of Barcelona, Spain
  • Thammasat University, Bangkok, Thailand
  • University of Cambridge, England 
What classes can I take?

Because of the interdisciplinary nature of the PE major and the wide variety of self-designed concentrations that PE students pursue, there are no pre-approved study abroad programs or classes. Students wanting to fulfill major requirements abroad should bring program information and course descriptions to a PE advisor before departure. We will review it and advise you on your selections. However, you will not receive a guarantee in advance that the courses will count for your major. 

Remember: students may fulfill up to 3 upper- division requirements with courses taken from outside the UC Berkeley College of Letters and Science. This includes courses taken abroad as well as courses taken at UC Berkeley in departments or schools that are not within L&S, such as the Goldman School of Public Policy or the Haas School of Business. Any courses taken to fulfill the PE language requirement are not included in the 3-course limit. 

In order to fulfill an upper division Political Economy major requirement, courses taken abroad must:

  • transfer as upper division
  • be taken for a letter grade
  • transfer as at least 3 UC Berkeley semester units
  • be evaluated and approved upon your return from abroad by IAS

Berkeley Programs Questionnaire

Does your department currently sponsor a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program?

No.

Do any courses offered on a Berkeley Summer Abroad or Berkeley Global Internships program currently satisfy requirements within your major?

No.

UCEAP Programs Questionnaire

What is the maximum amount of major credit given for courses taken during UCEAP? Is this maximum calculated by number of courses or by units of credit?

Political Economy students may take a maximum of three (3) classes off campus. Courses must be worth a minimum of 3 UC semester units.

Does your department maintain a list of courses previously awarded credit on UCEAP and/or a list of pre-approved courses for UCEAP programs? How do students access this information?

Yes, we keep track of classes that have been previously approved at institutions that are very popular with our students.  For example, Sciences Po, the London School of Economics and Political Science, and Free University, Berlin. Students are encouraged to connect with the major advisers to discuss how to best fit study abroad into your academic plan.

Does your department have a 4-year or 2-year plan available to students that incorporates semester or year-length study abroad? How do students access this information?

No. Students should talk to advisers to work out individual plans.

What is the process in your department to have courses evaluated? What materials must be submitted? What is the timeframe for response?

Students submit petitions and syllabi. We usually respond within a week.

Are students in your department able to undertake a senior honors thesis the semester following UCEAP participation?

Yes, so long as that is the fall semester of their senior year.

Does your department calculate UCEAP grades into departmental GPA?

Yes.

Are UCEAP grades counted towards departmental honors?

Yes.

If you represent a department which teaches foreign language, does your department award major credit for the courses taken during the Intensive Language Program (ILP) portion of the UCEAP program?

N/A

Does the undergraduate adviser sign the UCEAP academic planning form, or must a faculty adviser sign?

The undergraduate adviser.

Does your department place Academic holds on declared majors prior to each registration period? If yes, what is your departmental policy on releasing advising holds for students currently abroad on UCEAP (e.g. is advising possible via email, skype, etc.)?

No.

Do you have any department specific advice for students participating on a UCEAP program in their last term at Berkeley?

If possible, it is best to have completed all major requirements or at least all concentration courses before their last semester abroad.

Independent Programs Questionnaire

Have any Independent programs been approved by your department and the Study Abroad Advisory board for credit in the major?

No.

Are there any pre-approved courses for your major from other UC summer abroad programs (UCLA, UCD, etc.)?

No.

What is the process to have a course from an Independent study abroad program evaluated for your major?

Students submit petitions and syllabi for faculty review. We usually respond within a week.