Program Overview

---

Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law

Overview

The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law is an interdisciplinary major that offers a comprehensive perspective of current social, economic and political issues. The content draws on courses from philosophy, politics and economics, but the heart of the program is a set of specialized core courses designed exclusively for majors. These are taught in small classroom settings by distinguished faculty with appointments in philosophy, political science, economics and law. Students learn to analyze the fundamental values that shape the economic, political and legal domains; develop an understanding of the moral and historical foundations of economic institutions and political-legal structures; and gain logical thinking and conceptual analysis skills.

Learning Outcomes

• Integration: Students will constructively apply concepts and arguments from the philosophical, political, economic and legal intellectual traditions to analyze social norms, institutions and processes.
• Formalization: Students will successfully apply formal methods, such as utility theory, game theory, social choice theory, or data science, to problems of moral and political life.
• Collaboration: Students will collaborate effectively as a cohort in addressing both modern and historic philosophical discussions of issues of political economy.
• Feasibility: Students will demonstrate knowledge of real-world implications of normative and explanatory models in political economy and cultivate expertise for their practical application.

Program Details

Sample Courses

• PHIL 210: Moral Thinking
• PPEL 320: Classics in Political Economy
• PPEL 340: Justice and Welfare

Career Fields

• Politics
• Government
• Law
• Economics
• Public policy

Level of Math

• General Knowledge

This strand involves the general understanding and appreciation of how mathematics is used to solve problems in everyday life. The G-strand does not prepare a student for any further work grounded in mathematics and assumes the student will not proceed beyond the basic Foundations level noted above. Thus only those students whose major requires the most general knowledge of mathematics should take this strand.

Level of Second Language

• 4th Semester Proficiency

Fourth-semester skill level in a second language is required. B.A. degree students may fulfill this requirement with one of the following options:

• Scoring the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level on an entrance or placement examination administered by The University of Arizona.
• Completion of a two-course sequence beyond the second semester of post-secondary language instruction.
• Completion with a C or higher of a 300- or 400-level language course at the post-secondary level.
• Completion of one course beyond the third semester in combination with an AP (Advanced Placement) score, IB (International Baccalaureate) score or a CLEP (College Level Entrance Program) score determined by the individual language department.
• An AP, IB, or CLEP language score determined by individual language departments
• A minimum of one semester study abroad in a language program approved by the appropriate language department as the equivalent of fourth-semester skill level.

Pre-major Required?

• No

This Major's College

• College of Social & Behavioral Sciences

Degree

• Bachelor of Arts

Sample Plans

2025, Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law

• 4-Year Sample Plan
• Map Transfer Coursework
• Plan Ahead with a Transfer Pathway

First Year

1st Semester

• First Year Composition
• Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course)
• Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

2nd Semester

• First Year Composition
• Major Foundation
• Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

Second Year

3rd Semester

• Major Foundation
• SBS Core: Explore SBS, Connect to Culture or Skill Up
• Second Language
• Math General Strand
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

4th Semester

• General Education Portfolio (Exit Course)
• Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective

Third Year

5th Semester

• Major Core
• Major Core
• SBS Core: Explore SBS, Connect to Culture or Skill Up
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective

6th Semester

• Major Core
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective
• Major Concentration
• SBS Core: Explore SBS, Connect to Culture or Skill Up

Fourth Year

7th Semester

• Major Core
• Major Concentration
• Major Concentration
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective

8th Semester

• Major Core
• Major Core
• Major Concentration
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective

Map Transfer Coursework

Enter your coursework from Arizona universities or community colleges to see how they can map to this major.

Connect with The University of Arizona Academic Advisors to validate how your coursework will transfer.

Mapped Coursework

0 Maps to One Requirement

0 Can Map Multiple Ways

0 Ask An Advisor

*One course typically meets only one requirement

Mapped to Sample Plan Requirements

1st Semester

• First Year Composition
• Introduction to the General Education Experience (Entry Course)
• Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

2nd Semester

• First Year Composition
• Major Foundation
• Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

3rd Semester

• Major Foundation
• SBS Core: Explore SBS, Connect to Culture or Skill Up
• Second Language
• Math General Strand
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections

4th Semester

• General Education Portfolio (Exit Course)
• Second Language
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• GE Core: Exploring Perspectives or Building Connections
• Minor, Second Major, or Elective

About the Transfer Mapping Categories

Maps to One Requirement

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to one requirement for this major.

Can Map in Multiple Ways

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that maps to more than one requirement for this major. This means that the transfer course could meet any of the matching requirements but does not mean it fulfills all matching requirements.

Ask an Advisor

A transfer course with this designation matches a UAZ course that has not yet been mapped to a requirement for this major, or it means that the transfer course was input incorrectly.

Pathways

See the pathway agreement in place between Arizona in-state community colleges and The University of Arizona.

To see a pathway, select an Arizona college: Select an Arizona community college

Pathways are designed for in-state transfer students who plan to attend The University of Arizona. Please use this information for reference only. To develop an individualized plan for transfer, work with your community colleges and The University of Arizona Academic Advisors.

All Pathways have accurate course equivalencies but may not include all possible requirements and are subject to change at any time. All posted Pathways (except Bachelor of Applied Science Pathways) fulfill an AGEC and most also fulfill an Associate Degree. Following a Pathway does not guarantee admission to The University of Arizona or to a specific UArizona college, major, or program.

To learn more about AGECs and transferring within Arizona, visit aztransfer.com.