Claim your seat at the global crossroads. The International Political Economy (IPE) Program at Carthage features an interdisciplinary approach that examines the evolving web of global relationships and the public policy discussions that help direct today’s global economy.
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Carthage offers a major in international political economy (IPE), which blends business, economics, geospatial science, modern languages, and political science. It’s designed for students who want to become fluent in global affairs and have a genuine concern for the world’s diverse peoples.
Because the major is strongly interdisciplinary and rooted in traditions of history and philosophy, students entering the IPE Program should demonstrate a strong record of achievement in their general education coursework; a desire to engage in written and oral debate; and a passion for policy, abstract ideas, and practical management.
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<img src="/live/image/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.jpg" alt="Laura Xiu Hung ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/24/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,0,612,792/33037_Laura-Xiu-Hung-24.rev.1643922764.jpg 3x" data-max-w="612" data-max-h="792" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Carthage professors are clearly passionate about the subjects they teach, and it’s easily reflected in the students’ learning.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1511-">Laura Xiu Hung</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg" alt="Tyler Kelly ?24" width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/0,52,1049,1102/33662_Tyler_Kelly.rev.1646249271.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1049" data-max-h="1050" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “Majoring in international political economy has allowed me to learn about political science, international business, and economics all within one major.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/1542-tyler-kelly">Tyler Kelly</a> ’24</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
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<img src="/live/image/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/88,495,1825,2232/36018_Lorin_Bucur_26.rev.1665690123.jpg" alt="Lorin Bucur in front of Machu Picchu, picture for student voices profile." width="183" height="183" srcset="/live/image/scale/2x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/88,495,1825,2232/36018_Lorin_Bucur_26.rev.1665690123.jpg 2x, /live/image/scale/3x/gid/72/width/183/height/183/crop/1/src_region/88,495,1825,2232/36018_Lorin_Bucur_26.rev.1665690123.jpg 3x" data-max-w="1737" data-max-h="1737" loading="lazy"/>
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</div><div class="blockquote__content"><div class="blockquote__quote"><svg aria-hidden="true" class="icon icon-round-left-quote" width="48" height="33"><use xlink:href="#icon-round-left-quote"/></svg><p> “International political economy is an amazing major that isn’t offered in many other schools. It is for those students who wish to dive into international relations, politics, and even the business realm.”</p></div><footer class="blockquote__footer"><span class="blockquote__author"><a href="/live/profiles/2094-lorin-bucur">Lorin Bucur</a> ’26</span></footer></div></blockquote></div>
Beyond the Classroom
Study Abroad
Carthage faculty regularly lead business and policy-focused J-Term study tours to destinations like China, Sweden, South Africa, Hong Kong, and England, where students meet with top executives.
Student Organizations
With its focus on educational outreach in local high schools, Carthage’s chapter of the international nonprofit Enactus is popular among IPE students. Some also participate in competitions with the College’s Mock Trial or Model United Nations teams.
The IPE Program is one component of the A. W. Clausen Center for World Business. The campus-wide Clausen Center unites the study of business, economics, and political science in an international framework. The Center brings prominent guest speakers to campus and analyzes regional economic development and policies. The center’s faculty combine broad in-depth experience in business, government, and nonprofit fields. Technology-friendly classrooms are designed to encourage group discussion. The centerpiece of the Clausen Center, the Troha Boardroom, simulates an executive meeting room or directors’ suite, giving students a space for presentations as they prepare for business leadership in a global economy.
Employment Edge
Wondering about jobs and internships? Carthage is located in the heart of the Milwaukee-to-Chicago corridor, standing within easy reach of more than 30 Fortune 500 companies. Carthage IPE graduates have been hired as computer analysts, financial advisors, financial consultants, floor traders, international business analysts, investment brokers, managers, mutual fund specialists, and by government and nonprofit organizations. They’ve also pursued graduate studies in dispute resolution and development studies.
Students intending to major in International Political Economy can enter the Business Scholarship competition, with two full- tuition scholarships awarded each year.
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