Program Overview

Philosophy, Politics and Economics BA

The Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) program at Drexel University is a multidisciplinary major that provides students with a comprehensive education at the intersection of thought and practice. This joint endeavor of the School of Economics, the Department of Politics, and the Department of English and Philosophy prepares students for a wide variety of careers that require thoughtful analysis and engaged leadership.

About the Program

The PPE program began in the early 20th century at Oxford University in the United Kingdom, with the goal of ensuring that scholars were ready to apply their learning in practical, governmental, and business contexts to become leaders and change agents. The program acknowledges the interconnectedness of political science and economics, and the importance of philosophical inquiry in understanding and leadership.

Program Details

• Major: Philosophy, Politics and Economics
• Degree Awarded: Bachelor of Arts (BA)
• Calendar Type: Quarter
• Minimum Required Credits: 180.0
• Co-op Options: Three Co-op (Five years), One Co-op (Four years), No Co-op (Four years)
• Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 45.1004
• Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: Not specified

Admission Requirements

The interdisciplinary 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.

Degree Requirements

University Requirements:

• CIVC 101: Introduction to Civic Engagement (1.0)
• COOP 101: Career Management and Professional Development (1.0)
• ENGL 101: Composition and Rhetoric I: Inquiry and Exploratory Research (3.0)
• ENGL 102: Composition and Rhetoric II: Advanced Research and Evidence-Based Writing (3.0)
• ENGL 103: Composition and Rhetoric III: Themes and Genres (3.0)
• UNIV H101: The Drexel Experience (1.0)
• UNIV H201: Looking Forward: Academics and Careers (1.0) College of Arts and Sciences Core Curriculum:
• Analyzing Cultures & Histories (6.0-8.0)
• Cultivating Global Competence - LANG sequence reaching 103 level (6.0-8.0)
• Developing Quantitative Reasoning - MATH Analysis or Calculus sequence (6.0-8.0)
• Engaging the Natural World (6.0-8.0)
• Perspectives in Diversity (3.0-4.0)
• Understanding Society & Human Behavior (6.0-8.0)
• Free Electives (65.0-61.0) Philosophy, Politics & Economics Major Requirements:
• PPE 101: Introduction to Philosophy, Politics and Economics (3.0)
• PHIL 105: Critical Reasoning (3.0)
• PHIL 111: Symbolic Logic I (3.0)
• PSCI 110: American Government (4.0)
• PSCI 120: History of Political Thought (4.0)
• One of these Political Science Methods classes: PSCI 231, PSCI 232 (4.0)
• ECON 201: Principles of Microeconomics (4.0)
• ECON 202: Principles of Macroeconomics (4.0)
• ECON 326: Economic Ideas (4.0)
• PHIL 121: Symbolic Logic II (3.0)
• PHIL 151: Ethical Reasoning (3.0)
• One of these Political Science Area electives: PSCI 210, PSCI 229, PSCI 250, PSCI 252, PSCI 260 (4.0)
• Two Economics/International Business electives (8.0)
• PHIL 385: Philosophy of Law (3.0)
• Any Political Science 300- or 400-level elective (4.0)
• PHIL 481: Seminar in a Philosophical School (3.0)
• PPE 450: Senior Seminar in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (4.0)

Sample Plan of Study

The sample plan of study for the PPE program is outlined for three different co-op options: 4-year, no co-op; 4-year, 1 co-op; and 5-year, 3 co-op.

Affiliated Faculty

The affiliated faculty for the PPE program include:

• Peter Amato, PhD: Teaching Professor of Philosophy
• Debjani Bhattacharyya, PhD: Assistant Professor of History
• Sebastien Bradley, PhD: Associate Professor of Economics
• Zoltán Búzás, PhD: Assistant Professor of Politics
• Erin Graham, PhD: Associate Professor of Politics
• Nathan Hanna, PhD: Associate Professor of Philosophy
• Amelia Hoover Green, PhD: Associate Professor of Politics
• Roger A. McCain, PhD: Professor of Economics
• Carol Mele, PhD: Associate Teaching Professor of Philosophy
• Joel E. Oestreich, PhD: Professor of Politics and Global Studies
• Maria Olivero, PhD: Associate Professor of Economics
• Flavia Padovani, PhD: Associate Professor of Philosophy
• Rachel Reynolds, PhD: Associate Professor of Communication
• Andrew Smith, PhD: Associate Professor of Philosophy
• José A. Tapia, MBBCH, MPH, PhD: Associate Professor of Politics

Writing-intensive 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.