Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
Program Overview
Introduction to the Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
The Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics is an interdisciplinary major that combines the insights and methods of three disciplines to prepare future leaders to tackle complex social and political problems. Students in this program learn to think creatively, conduct research, distill information, and present convincing arguments. Graduates are prepared for careers in diplomacy, law, public policy, government, education, business, and more.
About the Department
The Department of Philosophy at the University of Maryland is a community of intellectuals who theorize creatively and reason rigorously. Faculty members conduct interdisciplinary research and specialize in ethics, political philosophy, the philosophy of language, logic, the philosophy of the mind, and cognitive science. The department offers the philosophy major and a cross-disciplinary major in philosophy, politics, and economics. Small class sizes provide individualized attention and the opportunity for in-depth discussions.
Coursework
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics coursework integrates studies in philosophy, political science, public policy, and economics to help students think creatively about pressing social and political issues. Majors study ethics and logical reasoning in philosophy, examine institutions and collective action in political science, and learn about the economy, formal modeling, and rational choice in economics. Through cross-disciplinary studies and diverse approaches, the degree addresses pressing problems such as inequality, immigration, and climate change. Majors complete a project-based capstone and can earn credits for internships.
Career Readiness
The College of Arts and Humanities offers courses designed to ensure students are ready to enter the workforce, along with integrated and individualized academic and career advising. Alumni continue on to graduate school or forge their careers in a variety of industries and fields. Some placements specific to philosophy, politics, and economics majors include:
- Maryland General Assembly
- Partnership for Public Service
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. Senate
- Brown University
- Brussels School of International Studies
- Cornell University
- New York University
- Marriott International
- National Parks Conservation Association
- Strativia
- U.S. Department of Defense
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency
Program Overview
The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics undergraduate major is an interdisciplinary program that uses tools and methods from economics and political science to help answer difficult social and political questions that have traditionally been the domain of philosophy. A PPE education is important because many of the world’s most pressing problems are incredibly complex. The PPE major trains students in this kind of thinking, expanding their reasoning toolkit so they have more resources to bring to bear on some of the world’s most difficult problems.
Course Requirements
To earn a degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, students must take 13 courses for a total of 39 credits. The breakdown of course requirements is as follows:
- Disciplinary Foundations (18 credits):
- PHIL140: Contemporary Moral Issues
- PHIL245: Political and Social Philosophy I
- ECON200: Principles of Microeconomics
- ECON201: Principles of Macroeconomics
- GVPT170: American Politics
- PLCY100: Foundations of Public Policy
- Core Sequence (9 credits):
- PHPE400: Individual and Group Decision-Making
- PHPE401: Social Philosophy and Political Economy
- PHPE402: Senior Capstone Seminar in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
- Electives (12 credits):
- Any PHPE course at the 300-400 level, besides PHPE400, PHPE401, and PHPE402.
- A list of approved elective courses from various departments, including but not limited to:
- AASP301: Applied Policy Analysis and the Black Community
- AASP314: The Civil Rights Movement
- BMGT468Y: Entrepreneurial Capitalism Around the World
- COMM330: Argumentation and Public Policy
- ECON311: American Economic History Before the Civil War
- GVPT409I: The Politics of Human Rights
- PHIL338D: Studies in Value Theory; The Ethics of Sex
- PHIL341: Ethical Theory
- PHIL344: Philosophy of Race
- PHIL347: Philosophy of Law
- WMST 400: Theories of Feminism
Program Objectives
The PPE program aims to:
- Equip students with methods from the disciplines of philosophy, political science, and economics.
- Encourage students to apply these methods to a diverse array of topics and questions across disciplinary boundaries, especially to normative topics and questions.
- Combine these methods in productive ways to carry out thoughtful, original research.
- Equip students with the ability to write clearly and concisely, read and distill information carefully, and construct arguments in an organized and convincing manner.
- Inspire a love for learning from a diverse array of scholarly disciplines.
Careers and Internships
The College of Arts and Humanities has a special office devoted to career and internship advising for students majoring or minoring in arts and humanities. Services provided include job search strategies, developing customized application materials, preparing for interviews, salary research, and internship search strategies. The Bright Future ‘Unpaid Internship’ Scholarship awards students with need-based scholarships to help offset expenses incurred during unpaid internships. Placements for PPE majors include various government offices, non-profit organizations, and private companies.
About the College
The University of Maryland College of Arts and Humanities is a supportive and inclusive community committed to solving the world’s grand challenges. The college is reimagining an education in the arts and humanities by empowering students to make sense of the world using empathy, creativity, and intellectual rigor. Faculty and staff experts are focused on preparing competitive, versatile, and visionary leaders equipped to address the complexities of the human experience. Graduates are purposefully prepared for successful careers and fulfilling lives.