Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law, Minor

The minor in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law (PPEL) is a multidisciplinary program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a critical understanding of the production, maintenance and interaction of social, political, legal and economic institutions. In particular, students will learn to combine empirical knowledge and methods, formal tools of analysis, and normative inquiry.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the minor, students in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law are expected to:

• LO1: Be prepared to closely examine important normative and political questions by applying key economic, legal, political and ethical concepts (such as opportunity cost, marginalism, comparative institutional analysis, political ideology, theories of justice and governmental systems) to solve real-world challenges.
• LO2: Be able to analyze contemporary social conflicts and coordination problems in a multidisciplinary (economic, legal, political and ethical) context.
• LO3: Possess research skills necessary to conduct a research project using qualitative or quantitative evidence to evaluate and contribute to the resolution of debates and policy disputes in the law, political disagreement, economic conflicts, etc.
• LO4: Possess critical thinking, theoretical understanding, and communication skills necessary to responsibly address pressing political and economic questions.

Assessment of learning outcomes will be conducted through entry and exit surveys and a general assessment of the final PPEL research project, completed in PHIL 4800  in the minor’s senior year. Papers produced in PHIL 4800  can be used to assess all learning outcomes.

Students are required to take courses from each of the three major fields of study in PPEL, Philosophy, Political Science and Economics. All students must take PPEL 2240  as the gateway course and PHIL 4800  as the capstone. All minors must complete PHIL 3120  or PHIL 3020  and ECON 2020  or ECON 2000 . There is no specific requirement in political science, though PPEL minors must take at least one political science course. With prerequisites, students can select three other electives from the approved list. Substitutions are possible with permission from the PPEL director. Note that none of these courses may be counted towards the relevant major.