Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, B.A.

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The program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) gives students the ability to see the multifaceted and complex nature of any issue or question related to living in human communities. Taken together, the courses in this major provide students both the breadth and the specialization to grasp how moral, political, and economic considerations intertwine. Through PPE, students receive the combined benefits of the social sciences and the humanities in one course of study. They will gain training in a range of analytical tools and research methods. They will engage in thoughtful interaction and debate about the fundamental questions and recurring challenges of life in complex societies. They will be exposed to and respectfully engage with opinions and perspectives that differ from their own. By rigorously integrating the approaches of its three main disciplines, PPE provides excellent preparation for students interested in law school, MBA programs, a multitude of MA and PhD programs, as well as employment in public policy and administration, non-profit management, media, public and private sector consulting, marketing, business, and teaching.

Program Learning Outcomes

Understand core concepts, ideas, and perspectives of economics, philosophy, and politics.
Understand the history and development of moral and ethical thought and be able to apply it to contemporary political, social, and economic issues and challenges.
Understand the recurring problems and practical complexities of organizing political communities.
Understand the relation between the individual and community, and the major moral considerations that influence the creation of policy and law.
Analyze the interaction of politics and economics in social and political institutions, both state and non-state.
Analyze the interaction of politics and economics in economic institutions and forces at the micro and macro level.
Develop ability to understand, evaluate, and analyze texts and scholarship across multiple fields.
Demonstrate literacy in quantitative analysis, inferential statistics, and statistical computing software.
Develop the ability to participate in thoughtful interaction, debate, and conversation in writing and discussion with perspectives that differ from one’s own.
Develop effective research and writing skills.
Develop effective oral communication and argumentation skills.

General Education Requirements (30-40 Credits)

Prerequisite coursework may be required to satisfy certain General Education courses and will count as elective credit.

Total Credits Required to Complete Major: 42

Basic Requirements: (42 Credits)

Foundational Courses (15 Credits)

ECON 110 - Introductory Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
ECON 112 - Introductory Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
PHIL 130 - Ethics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 140 - International Politics Credit(s): 3
Select one:
ECON 210 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory Credit(s): 3
or
ECON 212 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory Credit(s): 3

Thematic Areas (15 Credits)

Two courses in any two areas, and one course in the third.

Two Electives (6 Credits)

Students must take two electives. One may be outside of the three home departments. One may be 100 level. One elective may be an Integrative and Applied Learning experience (for example, internship, study abroad, directed study). Students may also take any of the courses from the required fields as electives (but they may not double count).

ECON 305 - Quantitative Methods Credit(s): 3 or MGMT 305 - Quantitative Methods Credit(s): 3
PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 201 - Environmental Ethics Credit(s): 3
PHIL 202 - World Religions & Contemporary Issues Credit(s): 3
PHIL 204 - Feminist Philosophy Credit(s): 3
PHIL 208 - Philosophy of Race Credit(s): 3
PHIL 216 - Reasoning and the Law Credit(s): 3
PHIL 236 - Medicine and Morality Credit(s): 3
PHIL 237 - Ethical Issues in Business Credit(s): 3
PHIL 399 - Directed Study Credit(s): As arranged
PLSC 120 - Comparative Politics Credit(s): 3
PLSC 130 - Political Theory Credit(s): 3
PLSC 374 - Public Administration Credit(s): 3
PLSC 375 - Politics of Judicial Process Credit(s): 3
PLSC 399 - Directed Study Credit(s): As arranged
PLSC 412 - American Social Welfare Policy Credit(s): 3
PLSC 414 - American Public Policy Credit(s): 3
PLSC 419 - Constitutional Rights and Liberties Credit(s): 3
PLSC 441 - Democracy and International Relations Credit(s): 3
PSYC 350 - Social Psychology Credit(s): 3
PSYC 385 - Cross-Cultural Psychology Credit(s): 3
SOCL 105 - Introduction to Global Social Change Credit(s): 3
SOCL 325 - Global Social Change Credit(s): 3
SOCL 340 - Social Movements Credit(s): 3
SOCL 354 - Political Sociology Credit(s): 3

Seminar (3 Credits)

Select one:
PPEC 497 - Seminar I: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
PPEC 498 - Seminar II: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3

Related Requirement

MATH 221 - Calculus I Credit(s): 4
Notes:
- Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits in each of the home departments of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics.
- Students are required to take MATH 221 in order to take upper-level economics courses.

Sample Course Map

For students who matriculated prior to Fall 2022: please select the bulletin year in which you entered the college (matriculated) at the top right of this page.

Curriculum Map

First Year
- Fall - 14 Credits
  - PHIL 130 - Ethics Credit(s): 3
  - ECON 110 - Introductory Microeconomics Credit(s): 3
  - MATH 112 - Precalculus Credit(s): 4
  - WRTG 105 - Writing Seminar: (subtitle) Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 16 Credits
  - PLSC 140 - International Politics Credit(s): 3
  - ECON 112 - Introductory Macroeconomics Credit(s): 3
  - Natural Science Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society: CAI Credit(s): 3
  - Global Society: CGC Credit(s): 3
Second Year
- Fall - 15 Credits
  - ECON 210 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory Credit(s): 3 or ECON 212 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory Credit(s): 3
  - MATH 221 Credit(s): 4
  - World Language (101) Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society: WCV Credit(s): 4
- Spring - 16 Credits
  - PLSC 251 - Modern Political Analysis Credit(s): 3 or ECON 205 - Business and Economic Statistics Credit(s): 3
  - ECON Elective Credit(s): 3
  - PHIL Elective Credit(s): 3
  - World Language (102) Credit(s): 4
  - Global Society: SST Credit(s): 3
Third Year
- Fall - 15 Credits
  - ECON Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Major Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
- Spring - 15 Credits
  - Major Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Major Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
Fourth Year
- Fall - 15 Credits
  - Integrative & Applied Learning Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
- Spring - 15 Credits
  - PPEC 497 - Seminar I: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3 or PPEC 498 - Seminar II: (subtitle) Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3
  - Elective Credit(s): 3

Total Credits: 120

Note: Variation in the order of courses is possible, depending upon prerequisites. Consult course information in the bulletin or your academic advisor to customize your eight semester plan.

KEY - Participation in a Global Society (PGS)

Attributes:

Sub Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
DPP	Diversity, Pluralism, Power
WCV	World Cultures & Values
CGC	Contemporary Global Challenges
CAI	Creativity & Innovation
SST	Sustainability

Learning Areas

Abbreviation	Definition
ARTS	Arts
HUMA	Humanities
SOSC	Social Science