PUBLIC POLICY & POLITICAL ECONOMY P
ublic policy and political economy majors at Rollins learn how economics and political science combine to shape public policy around the world. Students understand and tackle pressing social problems, such as health care, poverty, and social mobility. Public policy majors develop a set of quantitative and communicative skills that prepare them to analyze public policy challenges and craft meaningful solutions. The program locates public policy questions within an ethical context by considering such questions as what is of value to society and citizens and how best to achieve those values. Responsible leaders understand the implications of policy choices and recognize that decision makers have obligations to their communities. Public policy majors are prepared to assume leadership positions in both the private and public sectors.
Why Study Public Policy & Political Economy at Rollins Real World Experience Through internships in applied policy analysis, you’ll gain insight into how policy shapes and is shaped by a community.
Guided Research Connect concepts with real-world application, working alongside expert faculty to conduct research, identify conclusions, and share your findings through professional publication.
Professional Possibilities From private consulting to research think tanks, a PPPE degree appeals to an array of employers. You’ll also be prepared to pursue a master’s in public policy and urban planning or earn a JD or MBA.
“Through coursework and discussions, my awareness of the barriers to social stability for millions of Americans has increased, and my passion for addressing those barriers has increased as well. This program prepares students to design practical solutions to real-world problems.”
Isaac James ’19
Fellow, Gerald Ford School of Public Policy, University of Michigan “The program pushed my abilities to think critically from multiple perspectives through my classes in economics, political science, sociology, history, and environmental science. The unique perspective I gained set me apart from other applicants and helped me achieve my goal of attending law school.”
Michael Purcell ’17
JD Candidate, George Washington University Law School “My interest in the relationship between social justice, politics, and inclusion led me to pursue a major in public policy, which will grant me a better understanding of my country’s political structure and the technical nuances of policy formation and allow me to use my theoretical background to aid social justice organizations in their efforts to create lasting change.”
Kenzie Helmick ’19
Student Ambassador, The Democracy Project “Participation in the Public Policy and Political Economy Program was the best decision I made at Rollins. The program helped me develop high-level critical thinking and analytical skills, as well as an ability to synthesize great amounts of information and create incisive output—skills that serve me well as I move through my MBA courses and apply for internships and jobs.”
James Ryan ’17
MBA Candidate, Rollins’ Crummer Graduate School of Business
Real World Experience Rollins PPPE majors hone their expertise through prestigious internships and fellowships around the country.
Popular Courses With required courses in politics and economics and electives in relevant fields, our innovative curriculum melds the most useful aspects of several disciplines. You’ll study both theory and practical application. • PPE 119 Contemporary Issues in Public Policy and Economics • POL 363 American Social Policy • POL 395 Topics in Political Theory • POL 270 Ethics and Public Policy • ECO 202 Introduction to Economics in Historical Perspective • SOC 360 Poverty and Social Welfare
Beyond the Classroom The Democracy Project Co-founded by a PPPE alumnus, this student-led initiative creates a strategic road map to engage students in the electoral process, from monthly voter-registration drives to hosting debates between local candidates.
International Engagement Rollins offers more than 90 study-abroad programs, so you’ll have ample opportunity to hone your skills in a global setting. For instance, PPPE major Kenzie Helmick ’19 has studied social justice and community development in Chile, focusing on the nation’s transition to democracy.
Student-Faculty Research Learn from seasoned mentors while applying your knowledge within a PPPE framework. You’ll work alongside a professor to develop research, draw conclusions, and publish and present your findings.
Select Faculty The public policy and political economy major draws faculty from both political science and economics. All professors hold terminal degrees in their fields, and their breadth and depth of expertise help to create a rigorous learning environment.
Benjamin Balak, PhD | Associate Professor of Economics Research interests: History of economic thought, economic history, philosophy and ethics, and comparative economic systems and cultures
Daniel Chong, PhD | Professor of Political Science Research interests: International human rights, global poverty, and peace and conflict resolution
Donald Davison, PhD | Professor of Political Science; Co-Director of Public Policy Program
Research interests: Civil rights policy, voting rights, social welfare policy, statistics, and policy analysis
Joan Davison, PhD | Professor of Political Science Research interests: U.S. foreign policy, national security policy, ethnoreligious identity, and politics in Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mike Gunter, PhD | Professor of Political Science Research interests: Global environmental affairs, politics of climate change, and sustainable development
Philip Kozel, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science; Co-Director of Public Policy Program
Research interests: Intellectual property, piracy, history of economic thought, and Marxian economics
Harry Kypraios, PhD | Associate Professor of Economics Research interests: Monetary economics, economics in historical perspective, and international economics
Julia Maskivker, PhD | Associate Professor of Political Science Research interests: Contemporary theories of justice, global ethics, and social and economic citizenship
Martina Vidovic, PhD | Associate Professor of Economics
rollins.college/pppe
ADM 1808-0178
Research interests: Health care economics and policy, environmental economics, and econometrics