Politics, Philosophy and Economics (B.A. Hons.)

Politics, Philosophy and Economics Major

The PPE major combines three of the most prominent approaches to understanding the social and political world, the way it shapes individuals, and the way individuals shape it. The knowledge and skills it inculcates in students are relevant for a whole range of careers, including but not restricted to politics, journalism, the media, social activism, the NGO sector, business, law, and academia. Students will emerge with honed discussion skills and with a level of sophistication to their thinking about society’s workings and the best way to address its ills. The Political Science and Economics components enable students to develop an understanding of the many social forces at work around them, and the Philosophy component enables them to reason about these forces with rigour.

Major Requirement

The department recommends that students complete mathematics in Classes 11 and 12 to be eligible for any economics-related major or minor.

For students who have not studied mathematics in Classes 11 and 12, they must complete MAT 1000: Calculus and earn at least an A- in order to enroll in any Economics courses.

Students must complete 16 major courses from the three disciplines of Political Science, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) to complete this interdisciplinary major. From each of the three subject areas in PPE, students will choose a minimum of 4 courses (16 credits) and a maximum of 8 courses (32 credits), with a combined total of 16 courses (64 credits). Those who complete 8 courses (32 credits) in one subject (X) will graduate in ‘PPE, with specialization in X’.  This will be stated on their transcripts.

Political Science
A PPE major must complete at least 4 Political Science courses (16 credits).

Those taking only 4 courses must complete:

1. Introduction to Indian Politics
2. Western Political Thought (I) or Introduction to Political Theory
3. Introduction to Comparative Politics
4. One additional Political Science course

For students completing only 4 Political Science courses, at most 1 cross-listed Political Science course can count towards the major.

For the specialization in political science, PPE majors must additionally complete 4 Political Science courses beyond the 4 required courses. At most 2 cross-listed Political Science courses can count towards a PPE major with specialization in political science.

Philosophy

A PPE major must complete at least 4 Philosophy courses (16 credits):

1. Introduction to Philosophy (PHI 1000)
2. Symbolic Logic (PHI 1060) (only required for UG23 and earlier; UG24 and later can complete any Philosophy elective)
3. Two Philosophy courses in two different categories from these three categories: Indian & Non-Western Philosophy, History of Western Philosophy, Contemporary Core

All 4 Philosophy courses must be taught by Philosophy faculty (that is, they cannot be cross-listed courses taught by faculty in other departments like Political Science). For more information on Philosophy course categories, see this link.

For a specialization in Philosophy, students must complete the following courses:

1. Introduction to Philosophy (PHI 1000)
2. Symbolic Logic (PHI 1060) (Only required for UG23 and earlier; UG24 and later can complete any elective)
3. Three Philosophy courses in two different categories from these three categories: Indian & Non-Western Philosophy, History of Western Philosophy, Contemporary Core
4. Three other Philosophy courses

At least 4 Philosophy courses must be taught by Philosophy faculty (that is, they cannot be cross-listed courses taught by faculty in other departments like Political Science). For more information on Philosophy course categories, see this link.

Note that a student cannot both major in PPE and minor in Philosophy.

Economics
A PPE major must complete 4 Economics courses (16 credits):

1. Introduction to Economics
2. Mathematics for Economists
3. Microeconomic Theory I
4. Macroeconomic Theory I

A specialization in Economics requires 8 courses (32 credits). There are two possibilities:

Economics Specialization Option One:

1. Introduction to Economics
2. Mathematics for Economists
3. Microeconomic Theory I
4. Macroeconomic Theory I
5. Statistics for Economics
6. Econometrics
7. Any two of: Macroeconomics Theory II, Microeconomics Theory II, any 3000 level Economics course

Economics Specialization Option Two:

1. Introduction to Economics
2. Mathematics for Economists
3. Microeconomic Theory I
4. Macroeconomic Theory I
5. Macroeconomic Theory II
6. Microeconomic Theory II
7. Any two of: Statistics for Economics, Econometrics, any 3000 level Economics course

Please note that some of the courses have pre-requisites. Students should consult the Economics coordinator for PPE about what courses they should choose in Economics.

Theses

PPE students who return for a fourth year via the Ashoka Scholars Programme (ASP) and who wish to write a thesis in Philosophy can do so by following the procedure described on the Philosophy ASP Programme website. Those who wish to write a thesis in Political Science can do so by following the procedure described on the Political Science ASP Programme website.

Sample Curriculum Structure

The following sample curriculum indicates a possible path to completing the PPE major.

PPE Coordinators

Each department involved in PPE has a PPE Coordinator who is in charge of handling PPE matters for the department. Contact a PPE Coordinator if you have questions about PPE.

Associated Faculty