Political Economy and Government

Political Economy and Government

at a glance

Major icon MAJOR

Delve into the political principles and economic tools involved in domestic policy making. Study the relationship between government action and market forces. At the end of this program, you’ll learn to apply advanced economic analysis to concrete policy proposals and be able to intelligently participate in the public debates that affect our nation.

Careers: Policy advisor, economic analyst, banker, tax accountant, financial services lawyer, professor

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Put Faith Into Action

A political economy and government degree from AMU will prepare you for a career in accounting, government, banking, financial services, law or academics. You’ll also gain research, problem-solving and communication skills that will help you in any career.

light bulbFast Fact: Some of our graduates have gone on to work for members of Congress.

EXPLORE the OPPORTUNITY

Political Economy & Government

political economy and government skills section

Skills you will gain with

A POLITICAL ECONOMY AND GOVERNMENT DEGREE

  1. Research and problem solving skills. Analyze, compare and contrast different approaches to domestic policy. Write research papers and engage in lively debates on issues such as immigration, health care and the national debt.
  2. Communication skills. Learn how to communicate your position on key policies with intelligence and clarity. Back up your assertions with relevant data and expert analyses.
  3. Become an informed citizen. Exercise your right to vote and your political activism with a deeper understanding of the issues facing this nation and of the merits and challenges of different policy proposals.
political economy and government skills section

CAREER PATHS

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ADMISSIONS

A look into the

POLITICAL ECONOMY AND GOVERNMENT DEPARTMENT

In addition to the core curriculum, political economy and government majors take the following courses:

  • ECON 201 Principles of Macroeconomics
  • ECON 202 Principles of Microeconomics
  • POLT 201 Introduction to Political Thought
  • POLT 301 American Government
  • POLT 304 Constitutional Law
  • STAT 230 Applied Statistics

One elective out of:

  • ECON 301 Intermediate Macroeconomics
  • ECON 302 Intermediate Microeconomics

One elective out of:

  • POLT 302 Catholic Political Thought
  • THEO 315 Catholic Social Teaching

One elective out of:

  • POLT 305 Public Policy
  • POLT 311 Entrepreneurship and Civil Society
  • POLT 314 U.S. Foreign Policy

One additional elective in economics

Other courses in the same areas of politics and economics may be substituted with the approval of the program director.

ZACHARY BARTSCH, PH.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS

Zachary BartschUniversity; Ph.D., Economics, George Mason University
Office: Prince 104
Email: 
zachary.bartsch@avemaria.edu
Phone: 
(239) 304-7929
Curriculum Vitae: 
Download

JOHN COLMAN, PH.D.

ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICS, DIRECTOR OF HONORS PROGRAM

colmanEducation: B.A., Political Science, Carleton University; M.A., Political Science, Carleton University; Ph.D., Political Science, Boston College
Office: Thomas Student Union 2007B
Email: 
john.colman@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-1609

MARILYN IBARRA-CATON, PH.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS

Marilyn Ibarra CatonEducation: B.S., Economics, San Diego State University; M.A., Economics, San Diego State University; Ph.D., Economics, University of Georgia
Office: Prince 105
Email: 
marilyn.ibarra-caton@avemaria.edu
Phone: 
(239) 304-7928

GABRIEL MARTINEZ, PH.D.

CHAIR OF THE ECONOMICS DEPARTMENT, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF ECONOMICS, DIRECTOR OF ONLINE EDUCATION

Gabriel MartinezEducation: B.A., Interdisciplinary Studies, University of South Carolina; M.A., Economics, University of Notre Dame; Ph.D., Economics, University of Notre Dame
Office: Prince 111
Email: gabriel.martinez@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-1611
Curriculum Vitae: Download

JAMES PATTERSON, PH.D.

CHAIR OF THE POLITICS DEPARTMENT, ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR OF POLITICS

James PattersonEducation: B.A., Political Science, University of Houston; M.A., Politics, University of Virginia; Ph.D., Politics, University of Virginia
Office: Henkels 2055
Email: 
james.patterson@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7365

SEANA SUGRUE, D.C.L.

AMBASSADOR MICHAEL NOVAK CHAIR OF POLITICS, PROFESSOR OF POLITICS

Seana SugrueEducation: B.B.A., Business Administration, Bishop’s University; LL.B., Law, University of Ottawa; LL.M., Law, McGill University; D.C.L., Civil Law, McGill University
Office: Henkels 3054
Email: 
seana.sugrue@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 280-1625

LIDIYA ZUBYTSKA, PH.D.

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF POLITICS

Education: B.A., English, Ivan Franko National University; M.A., International Peace Studies, University of Notre Dame; Ph.D., Political Science, University of Kansas
Office: Canizaro Library 235
Email: lidyia.zubytska@avemaria.edu
Phone: (239) 304-7020

Click the button to view our typical 4-year plan.

Those who have graduated from Ave Maria with a politics major have gone on to work in Washington D.C. for members of Congress and have worked in a variety of policy organizations that study, advocate and lobby for specific public policies. Others have gone on to graduate school to continue studying politics with the goal of one day teaching in secondary or higher education, or to law school. There are a number of careers that are available for politics majors, from political consulting, working on campaigns, political advocacy, journalism and public service on the local, state, national and international levels.

Below are links that outline the wealth of career opportunities for political science graduates:

https://www.apsanet.org/eJobs

http://www.apsia.org/careers/career-opportunities-in-international-affairs/

Affiliations

The university is affiliated through Career Services with numerous political organizations in Florida and D.C (see below). Internship and mentoring programs are available for students interested in a political career.

– U.S Dept. of State – Washington, D.C & International

– FL House of Representatives – Tallahassee, FL

– David Rivera, Representative – Tallahassee, FL

– American Life League – Washington, D.C

  1. Our alumni work in all areas of business: analysis, sales, consulting, management, logistics, accounting, information systems, sports, health care.  Many have gone on to graduate study in business, law, and other areas.
  2. The Department of Business offers a major and a minor in Business Administration, a major and a minor in Accounting, a major in Finance, and a major in Global Affairs and International Business.
  3. We have a close relationship with the Career Services Department.  Jointly we run a Corporate Internship program, through which students are placed in internships that are overseen by our faculty.
  4. Our professors have multiple, advanced degrees in management, accounting, finance, economics, taxation, and law.
  5. The top 20% of business juniors and seniors is qualified for membership in Sigma Beta Delta, the business honor society.

More to help you

ON YOUR JOURNEY

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CAREER SERVICES

Career Services prides itself on providing students, alumni and employers with the opportunity to connect. No matter where you are in your career search, whether it’s deciding on a path, preparing for your first job interview or working on graduate school or fellowship applications, we can help.

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Catholic Culture

The spiritual life on campus is the beating heart of Ave. Whether it’s attending Mass, receiving the sacraments, participating in retreats or getting spiritual direction, you’ll find the spiritual support you need from the priests and staff of Campus Ministry.

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CORE CURRICULUM

With AMU’s core curriculum, you’ll not only achieve breadth of knowledge, but also depth of knowledge. You’ll encounter the truth about God and His creation more completely through the dynamic interplay of all of the liberal arts, including theology and natural science.

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Sunny skies, warm temperatures, a beautiful campus. What more could you want? How about a community-like atmosphere, quality instructors who care about your success, a wealth of spiritual activities, expert career guidance… and that’s only the beginning. Imagine your future at AMU. It all starts by filling out our free application today.

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