Requirements for a Major in PPE

To complete the Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) major, students are required to complete 44 Units as well as a 10 Unit capstone project (approximately eleven 5 Unit courses in total). The required 44 Units will be made up of:

• 19 or 20 Unit (four courses) in the primary field,
• 14 or 15 Unit (three courses) in the secondary field, and
• 9 or 10 Unit (two courses) in the tertiary field.

In addition, students are strongly encouraged to devote an additional three electives (around 15 Unit) to courses supporting the major and leading up to the capstone. There are six possible pathways through PPE depending on the choice of primary, secondary, and tertiary fields of study from philosophy, politics and economics. In view of the breadth of PPE, the variety of pathways and multifarious course offerings, students are urged to consult closely with their advisors to ensure they have crafted a coherent study programme.

Economics

For PPE students whose primary field of interest is economics, the 20 Unit will be Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, Econometrics, and one advanced course. These students are strongly encouraged to include further courses in economics among their electives, over and above those required.

For those whose secondary field is economics, the 15 Unit will be two of the following three courses: Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, and Econometrics; and a course chosen from the list of economics courses.

Those whose tertiary field is economics must take one of the following three courses: Intermediate Microeconomics, Intermediate Macroeconomics, and Econometrics; and another course chosen from the list of economics courses. The Economics major gives a fuller description and listing of the available economics courses.

Politics

For students whose primary field is politics, the 20 Unit must include Introduction to Comparative Politics, Methods in the Social Sciences (unless Econometrics is taken), and up to three approved additional courses with politics content as needed.

For those whose secondary field is politics, the 15 Unit must include Introduction to Comparative Politics or Methods in the Social Sciences (unless Econometrics is taken), and up to two approved additional courses with politics content as needed.

For those whose tertiary field is politics, the 10 Unit must include Introduction to Comparative Politics and an approved additional course with politics content.  These students are strongly recommended to take Methods in the Social Sciences (unless Econometrics is taken).

Philosophy

For students whose primary field of interest is philosophy, the 20 Unit must include philosophy courses which guide them in their development along these two dimensions:

An appreciation for philosophy in at least one tradition.

Fundamental philosophical skills, of which the courses chosen should develop two of the following four: (a) Textual Analysis; (b) Problem Solving; (c) Formal Analysis; (d) Applications.

For those whose secondary or tertiary field is philosophy, should follow the recommendations of their advisor and take three or two courses as appropriate, with an eye towards developing an appreciation of philosophical traditions and a suitable range of fundamental skills as listed above. The Philosophy major website describes courses available and indicates their contributions to the traditions and skills referred to above.

Capstone

The final-year capstone project offers students in the PPE major the ability to apply the interdisciplinary set of skills they have acquired to a more focused set of issues or problems in order to produce a substantial piece of research. Students will complete this programme of directed reading and research under the supervision of an advisor. Proposals for alternative types of capstone projects such as policy papers in conjunction with an internship project will be considered and may be undertaken with the approval of the Head of Studies. Either Econometrics or Methods in the Social Sciences should be completed before the start of the academic year in which the capstone project is undertaken, since ability to use either qualitative or quantitative research methods, or both, will be essential to most capstone projects.

Requirements for a Minor in PPE

There is no minor in PPE.