Quantitative Political Economy with tracks in Economics, Political Science, and Public Policy

Quantitative Political Economy uses quantitative methodologies and empirical data to analyze one of humanity’s most pressing questions: Who gets what, and how? Bringing together insights from economics, political science, and public policy, the major emphasizes data-driven social inquiry and market- and policy-based problem-solving. Students analyze how markets function, how governments shape economies, and how resources are allocated within and between societies. The major trains students to critically evaluate questions like: Does prosperity fuel democracy? What causes civil war? When should problem-solving in fields such as global heath or climate change be undertaken by governments, and when should it be left to markets? Core coursework integrates foundational theories with advanced methodological techniques, enabling QPE graduates to ask and answer important economic and governance questions. Alongside advanced quantitative training, students engage with ethical and normative considerations, enabling them to navigate the complexities of real-world decision-making. Through its three disciplinary tracks—Economics, Political Science, and Public Policy—the major allows students to tailor their learning to their goals and interests. Students will graduate from QPE well-prepared for advanced graduate study in the social sciences and for careers in policymaking, advocacy, industry, research, consulting, and beyond.

Major Requirements

(Not every course listed is offered every term, and the course list will be updated periodically. Please refer to the online Course Catalog for Courses offered in 2025-2026.)

Quantitative Political Economy / Economics

Divisional Foundation Courses

Interdisciplinary Courses

[140]This course was named ETHLDR 202 prior Fall 2025.

[141] This course was named ECON 203 Introduction to Econometrics prior to Fall 2025. Students are encouraged to complete SOSC 205 before submitting a Signature Work Project Proposal.

[142] This course was named POLSCI 301 Program Evaluation prior to Fall 2025.

[143] This course was names SOSC 320 Data in the World: Applied Social Statistics prior to Fall 2025.

Disciplinary Courses

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

Quantitative Political Economy /Political Science

Divisional Foundation Courses

Interdisciplinary Courses

[144]This course was named ETHLDR 202 prior Fall 2025.

[145] This course was named ECON 203 Introduction to Econometrics prior to Fall 2025. Students are encouraged to complete SOSC 205 before submitting a Signature Work Project Proposal.

[146] This course was named POLSCI 301 Program Evaluation prior to Fall 2025.

[147] This course was names SOSC 320 Data in the World: Applied Social Statistics prior to Fall 2025.

Disciplinary Courses

[148] This course was named POLSCI 222 Social Choice and Democracy prior to Fall 2025.

[149] This course was named ETHLDR 203 Conceptions of Meritocracy and Democracy prior to Fall 2025.

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

[150] This course was named POLSCI 221 US/China Relations prior to Fall 2025.

Quantitative Political Economy /Public Policy

Divisional Foundation Courses

Interdisciplinary Courses

[151]This course was named ETHLDR 202 prior Fall 2025.

[152] This course was named ECON 203 Introduction to Econometrics prior to Fall 2025. Students are encouraged to complete SOSC 205 before submitting a Signature Work Project Proposal.

[153] This course was named POLSCI 301 Program Evaluation prior to Fall 2025.

[154] This course was names SOSC 320 Data in the World: Applied Social Statistics prior to Fall 2025.

Disciplinary Courses

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

[155] This course was named PUBPOL/SOCIOL/SOSC 309 Education, Policy, and Society prior to Fall 2025.