Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Major: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
Calendar Type: Quarter
Total Credit Hours: 189.0
Co-op Options: One Co-op (Four years); No Co-op (Four years); Three Co-op (Five years)
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 45.1004
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 25-1065
About the Program
Drexel University’s BA degree Philosophy, Politics & Economics, or PPE as it is often called, exemplifies Drexel’s commitment to comprehensive education at the intersection of thought and practice. A joint endeavor of the School of Economics, the Department of Politics and the Department of English and Philosophy, the BA in PPE provides a multidisciplinary foundation for professionals and researchers who want to address the complex, interconnected challenges of contemporary life. It prepares students for a wide variety of excellent careers that require thoughtful analysis and engaged leadership including but not limited to public service, government, international and domestic business, law, community organizing, publishing, journalism, education, academic research and more.
PPE began in the early Twentieth Century at Oxford University in the United Kingdom in an effort to ensure that scholars were ready to apply their learning in practical, governmental and business contexts to become leaders and change agents. Historically, political science and economics descend from what had been called “political economy.” PPE acknowledges what is often lost in the separation and specialization of these fields—the political wisdom that understands economic imperatives and the economic intelligence that recognizes the limits of political initiative. The philosophical dimension of PPE represents the vital reflective and critical aspects that are essential to bringing political and economic insights into conversation for understanding and leadership. PPE is devoted to the idea that great learning should inspire and empower students to have an impact on the world.
Students in the Drexel BA in PPE begin with the interdisciplinary class PPE 101 Introduction to Philosophy, Politics and Economics, which presents the field through a discussion of how the aims and methods of the three constitutive disciplines work together and discussion of the political, economic and philosophical dimensions of specific topics and themes. The Philosophy classes in the major are mainly focused on issues in ethics, logic, philosophy of law, and social and political philosophy. The Politics classes cover a variety of subjects and constitute a solid foundation in Political Science covering topics that include Comparative Politics, History of Political Thought, Qualitative or Quantitative Research Methods, Theories of Justice, American Foreign Policy, Social Protest Movements in Comparative Perspective and more. The Economics classes are designed to give the student a foundation for profound analysis and insight. These include Microeconomics, Macroeconomics, Economic Ideas, Public Finance, and electives chosen from courses which include Game Theory and Applications, Economics of Small Business, Labor Economics, Comparative Economic Systems, Resource and Environmental Economics, and more.
PPE majors also take electives in Sociology, choosing from courses like Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequality, Wealth and Power, Gender and Society, Development and Underdevelopment in the Global South, Environmental Justice and more. In the interactive seminar capstone course, PPE 450, students work with an instructor as they formulate, evaluate and criticize public policy proposals, research and/or theoretical perspectives on political and economic issues using the research tools, arguments and methods drawn from the three fields. PPE majors at Drexel have access to the widest range of co-op positions related to public service, government, international and domestic business, law, community organizing, education, publishing, journalism, academic research and many more areas.
Admission Requirements
The interdisciplinary Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) program exemplifies Drexel's commitment to comprehensive education at the intersection of thought and practice. A joint endeavor of the School of Economics, the Department of Politics, and the Department of English and Philosophy, the BA in PPE provides a multidisciplinary foundation for professionals who will address the complex, interconnected challenges of contemporary life. It prepares students for careers that require careful analysis, clear foresight, and thoughtful leadership: government, politics, law, public policy, public service, and business. Our program starts from the idea that the economy is fundamentally political, politics are fundamentally economic, and both are shaped by centuries of philosophical inquiry. We build on a foundation of rigorous philosophical thought, political and economic theory, and applied research skills.
Degree Requirements
| College of Arts and Sciences Requirements: | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| ENGL 101 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 111 | English Composition I | |
| ENGL 102 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 112 | English Composition II | |
| ENGL 103 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres | 3.0 |
| or ENGL 113 | English Composition III | |
| PHIL 105 | Critical Reasoning | 3.0 |
| UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
| Two Studies in Diversity classes | 6.0 | |
| Two International Studies classes | 6.0 | |
| Two Natural Science classes | 6.0 | |
| A Mathematics sequence of at least two classes in either Analysis or Calculus * | 8.0 | |
| Two Social and Behavioral Science classes | 6.0 | |
| Two Arts & Humanities classes ** | 6.0 | |
| Two classes in one Foreign Language completing level 103 *** | 8.0 | |
| Free Electives | 25.0 | |
| Major Requirements: | ||
| PPE 101 | Introduction to Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 3.0 |
| PHIL 101 | Introduction to Western Philosophy | 3.0 |
| PSCI 110 | American Government | 4.0 |
| or PSCI 140 | Comparative Politics I | |
| or PSCI 150 | International Politics | |
| PHIL 111 | Symbolic Logic I | 3.0 |
| PSCI 120 | History of Political Thought | 4.0 |
| One of these Political Science Methods classes: | 4.0 | |
| Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research in Political Science | ||
| Quantitative Research Methods in Political Science | ||
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 |
| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4.0 |
| ECON 326 [WI] | Economic Ideas | 4.0 |
| PHIL 207 | Symbolic Logic II | 3.0 |
| PHIL 241 | Social & Political Philosophy | 3.0 |
| PHIL 251 | Ethics | 3.0 |
| Two of these Political Science Area classes: | 8.0 | |
| American Political Development | ||
| Theories of Justice | ||
| American Foreign Policy | ||
| Global Governance | ||
| Power in Protest: Social Movements in Comparative Perspective | ||
| Two of these Sociology Elective classes: | 8.0 | |
| Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequality | ||
| Wealth and Power | ||
| Gender and Society | ||
| Development and Underdevelopment in the Global South | ||
| Environmental Justice | ||
| ECON 334 | Public Finance | 4.0 |
| SOC 355 [WI] | Classical Social Theory | 4.0 |
| SOC 356 [WI] | Contemporary Social Theory | 4.0 |
| PHIL 385 | Philosophy of Law | 3.0 |
| Any two Political Science 300 and/or 400-level classes | 8.0 | |
| Any three Economics classes numbered 250 or higher † | 12.0 | |
| Any two Philosophy 400-level classes | 6.0 | |
| PPE 450 | Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 4.0 |
| Total Credits | 189.0 | |
| * | For Analysis, take eitherMATH 101 and MATH 102, or MATH 172 and MATH 173 and any necessary prerequisites, For Calculus, take either MATH 116 and MATH 117 or MATH 121 and any necessary prerequisites. |
| ** | |
| *** | The 103 level class requires 102 and 101 (all 4 credits each) unless one tests out of 101 or 102. A student who tests out of 102 must take 103 and 201. |
| † |
Writing-Intensive Course Requirements
In order to graduate, all students must pass three writing-intensive courses after their freshman year. Two writing-intensive courses must be in a student's major. The third can be in any discipline. Students are advised to take one writing-intensive class each year, beginning with the sophomore year, and to avoid “clustering” these courses near the end of their matriculation. Transfer students need to meet with an academic advisor to review the number of writing-intensive courses required to graduate.
A "WI" next to a course in this catalog may indicate that this course can fulfill a writing-intensive requirement. For the most up-to-date list of writing-intensive courses being offered, students should check the Writing Intensive Course List at the University Writing Program. Students scheduling their courses can also conduct a search for courses with the attribute "WI" to bring up a list of all writing-intensive courses available that term.
Sample Plan of Study
| Term 1 | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 101 or 111 | Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research English Composition I | 3.0 |
| PPE 101 | Introduction to Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 3.0 |
| UNIV H101 | The Drexel Experience | 1.0 |
| Foreign Language class | 4.0 | |
| Math Analysis or Calculus | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 2 | ||
| CIVC 101 | Introduction to Civic Engagement | 1.0 |
| ENGL 102 or 112 | Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing English Composition II | 3.0 |
| PSCI 120 | History of Political Thought | 4.0 |
| Foreign Language class | 4.0 | |
| Math Analysis or Calculus | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 3 | ||
| ENGL 103 or 113 | Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres English Composition III | 3.0 |
| PHIL 105 | Critical Reasoning | 3.0 |
| Diversity Studies class | 3.0 | |
| Natural Science class | 3.0 | |
| Arts & Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 4 | ||
| ECON 201 | Principles of Microeconomics | 4.0 |
| PHIL 101 | Introduction to Western Philosophy | 3.0 |
| PHIL 111 | Symbolic Logic I | 3.0 |
| Natural Science class | 3.0 | |
| Arts & Humanities elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 5 | ||
| ECON 202 | Principles of Macroeconomics | 4.0 |
| PHIL 207 | Symbolic Logic II | 3.0 |
| PSCI 110 | American Government | 4.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Social & Behavioral Science class | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 6 | ||
| ECON 326 [WI] | Economic Ideas | 4.0 |
| PHIL 241 | Social & Political Philosophy | 3.0 |
| PSCI 231 or 232 | Qualitative and Mixed-Methods Research in Political Science Quantitative Research Methods in Political Science | 4.0 |
| Free Elective | 3.0 | |
| Diversity Studies class | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 7 | ||
| SOC 210 | Race, Ethnicity and Social Inequality | 4.0 |
| UNIV H201 | Looking Forward: Academics and Careers | 1.0 |
| Social & Behavioral Science class | 3.0 | |
| Free Electives | 9.0 | |
| Term Credits | 17.0 | |
| Term 8 | ||
| PHIL 251 | Ethics | 3.0 |
| SOC 230 | Gender and Society | 4.0 |
| Free Electives | 6.0 | |
| International Studies class | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 16.0 | |
| Term 9 | ||
| ECON 334 | Public Finance | 4.0 |
| PSCI 210 | American Political Development | 4.0 |
| International Studies class | 3.0 | |
| Free Electives | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 10 | ||
| ECON 361 | Health Economics | 4.0 |
| PSCI 252 | Global Governance | 4.0 |
| SOC 355 [WI] | Classical Social Theory | 4.0 |
| PHIL 400-level Elective | 3.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 11 | ||
| ECON 301 | Microeconomics | 4.0 |
| PHIL 385 | Philosophy of Law | 3.0 |
| SOC 356 [WI] | Contemporary Social Theory | 4.0 |
| PSCI Elective 300 or higher | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Term 12 | ||
| PPE 450 | Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics and Economics | 4.0 |
| ECON Elective 250 or higher | 4.0 | |
| PHIL 400-level Elective | 3.0 | |
| PSCI Elective 300 or higher | 4.0 | |
| Term Credits | 15.0 | |
| Total Credit: 189.0 | ||
