Minor in Institutional Analysis

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Description of Program
The purpose of the minor is to increase the coherence and availability of a set of courses that constitute one of the teaching and research strengths of the Washington University Faculty. The research agenda includes an understanding of the origins of key institutions such as property rights, the law, markets, social norms, and constitutional democracy; and the impact of these institutions on economic development and governance.

The institutional analysis minor is an interdisciplinary minor that allows students to learn about the origins of fundamental institutions such as property rights, markets, social norms, and constitutional democracy.

With this minor, students take courses in different departments that share a conceptual orientation and commitment to interdisciplinary social science.

Students are required to take a total of 15 units of credit, of which at least 12 must be outside the department of the major. Courses may not be double-counted toward this minor and the student's major or other minors. Each student taking the minor must receive credit for two of the following four courses, or receive a waiver from administrator of the program: "Ideas, Institutions, and Economics," "Economics Systems in Theory and Practice," "Individual, Family, and Community, and "Politics and the Theory of Games." Link to descriptions of courses/electives that are part of Minor

Research Experience
After completing two courses in this Minor, students may apply to participate in a research program with the participation of the faculty supervisor. Students will be chosen on the basis of their academic record and appropriateness of the research project. Up to 10 students will be selected each year. Students who are approved for this program will receive 3 credit hours for the course ISA L65 400 Research Experience in Institutional Analysis. Students will be expected to devote at least 10 hours a week to this research.

Program Support
This particular program would be unable to exist and flourish without the generous support and participation of Gary Hirsch. His continued support has allowed CNISS to fully implement its undergraduate research program for the next few years. In addition, he has participated directly with CNISS as an invited guest speaker as part of the CNISS Business Lecture Series. We are grateful for his involvement with CNISS and for the model of philanthropy he continues to provide.