(Posted December 9, 2002)

HUNTINGDON, Pa. -- Students interested in ethics, politics, economics or related subjects can now specialize in these disciplines through a new Program of Emphasis (POE) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics at Juniata College.

"Juniata has always had an emphasis on the ethical dimensions of policy issues in politics and economics," says Jack Barlow, professor of politics at Juniata. "Economics courses give students the tools to analyze large-scale events and the politics courses give them familiarity with the institutions and processes of government and public service. The philosophy component of this POE will give students the opportunity to take the skills and information from the two other disciplines and put them into a more comprehensive framework."

The POE is an individualized program, similar to a "major" at other institutions, which can combine any area of study that interests students. The Program of Emphasis allows students to take classes, work on projects, and pursue internships in two or even three study areas.

"This interdisciplinary POE is designed to appeal to students with an interest in public affairs, government service, journalism, as well as students in business or those preparing to go to law school," Barlow explains. "This new POE is unique in that it combines courses from three different departments."

Barlow says the new program was created to mirror a similar program at Oxford University in Great Britain. Barlow also credits the late Ron Cherry, former Juniata professor of economics, with helping to create the new POE. In addition, Juniata will become one of just a few colleges in the United States to offer such a concentration of study. Some of the other institutions offering a philosophy-politics-economics major are the University of Pennsylvania, Denison University, in Granville, Ohio, and Pomona College in Claremont, Calif.
The new POE requires a core of 12 courses, and then additional courses that add up to 64 credits over a four-year course of study.

In addition to course work, Barlow recommends that students study abroad for the new POE. This summer, he hopes to form partnerships with several European universities that offer study opportunities for Juniata students in political philosophy and economics.

Contact April Feagley at feaglea@juniata.edu or (814) 641-3131 for more information.