BA in Moral + Political Economy
Delve into the complex interplay of ethics, society, and economics with the innovative bachelor’s program in moral and political economy at Johns Hopkins University.
The Johns Hopkins bachelor’s degree in moral and political economy is an interdisciplinary major that inspires students to think about economic problems in their social, cultural, moral, and political contexts.
Students who join the MPE program are encouraged to think flexibly across social-scientific and humanistic disciplines in conceiving novel and integrated approaches to problems of ongoing social concern.
The curriculum includes an intensive two-semester introductory course, “Social Theories of the Economy;” a reading seminar; an independent research lab; introductory macro and microeconomics courses; five electives; and a mandatory senior thesis. Four of each student’s five elective courses must align with a “focus track” designed by the student and approved by the program.
“ Our new major teaches students to consider urgent problems in context — that is, in the social, economic, moral, political, and historical contexts in which they emerged and exist. ”
Major Requirements (39 Credits)
Students who enroll in the undergraduate major in moral and political economy will be expected to fulfill the following requirements prior to graduation:
Social Theories of the Economy (100-level, 2 semesters, 6 credits)
An intensive introduction to writings that situate economic life in its historical, political, ethical, and philosophical contexts.
Reading Seminar (200-level courses taught in MPE, 1 semester, 3 credits)
Focused readings in a small tutorial environment on cross-disciplinary approaches to a defined problem in moral and political economy.
Research Lab (300-Level courses taught in MPE, 1 semester, 3 credits)
A venue for students to pursue research projects of their own design. Each seminar will be focused on a loosely defined theme, offering a structured environment that helps to provide scaffolding, deadlines, and a support system for independent research.
Elements of Macroeconomics (1 semester, 3 credits)
An introduction to the economic system and economic analysis, with emphasis on total national income and output, employment, the price level and inflation, money, the government budget, the national debt, and interest rates.
Elements of Microeconomics (1 semester, 3 credits)
An introduction to the economic system and economic analysis with emphasis on demand and supply, relative prices, the allocation of resources, and the distribution of goods and services, theory of consumer behavior, theory of the firm, and competition and monopoly, including the application of microeconomic analysis to contemporary problems.
Electives (5 semesters, 15 credits)
Students will select five electives that have been approved to count toward the major, including courses taught in other departments (such as Anthropology, Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Sociology, among others). The five courses must adhere to the following requirements:
- At least two of the five electives must be at the 300 level or above.
- No more than three of the five electives can be listed within the same discipline, and no more than two of the five electives can be listed within the Economics Department (this excludes Elements of Microeconomics and Elements of Macroeconomics)
Senior Thesis Seminar (400-level, 2 semesters, 6 credits)
This course will provide a communal environment and structured guidance for the completion of its senior thesis requirement.
Focus Tracks
During the spring semester of sophomore year, each student will propose a focus track that identifies a crucial problem in moral and political economy that will help to orient their coursework. At least four of each student’s courses (among the reading seminar, the research lab, and/or the electives) must address the issues identified in their declared focus track. Students can pursue any of the following pre-established focus tracks, or propose an original focus track of their own design:
- Borders and Migration
- Cities and Communities
- Finance and Trade
- Gender and Identity
- Labor and Class
- Land and Environment
- Law and Social Order
- Progress and Development
- Race and Inequality
- Technology and Innovation
Honors
All students are expected to complete the senior thesis. They will graduate with honors if they maintain coursework in the major with a GPA of 3.5 or above.
How to Apply
A first round of applicants will be admitted to the major on April 3, 2025, with additional applications considered on a case-by-case basis until August 29, 2025. Freshmen may register for this course with approval from the Director of Undergraduate Studies, Simon Halliday ([email protected]), or the Program Coordinator, Em Cytrynbaum ([email protected]). Please direct any questions to either Simon Halliday or Em Cytrynbaum.
Featured Faculty
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Associate Teaching Professor at the Center for Economy and Society, SNF Agora Institute
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Bloomberg Distinguished Professor of Sociology
