Courses
The PPEL major contains three elements: Core courses, Area courses, and a Concentration.
Majors are required to complete all five of the core courses: ECON 101, PPEL 261, PPEL 262, PPEL 363, and PPEL 401.
Area requirements can be fulfilled by courses in a variety of departments and schools. Majors should consult the upcoming courses listing for a list of approved area courses that will be offered in the coming semester. Students may petition the PPEL coordinator to have a new course or a study abroad course count as an area course. Students may double-count one area course for one of the five courses they must complete in their primary concentration field.
Majors must also complete a disciplinary concentration in philosophy, politics, or economics. Conditional upon approval by the concentration advisor, one of these courses may be outside the named department but taught by a faculty member with the relevant expertise.
Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law
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PPEL 261 Seminar in Theory and Public Policy
Units: 1
DescriptionAims to bring into contact and conflict various normative theories developed by philosophers, political scientists, and economists - that is, their different accounts of what makes acts right, outcomes good, or societies just - with significant attention paid to the implications these theories have for some issue of public policy such as climate change healthcare reform, or global poverty reduction.
PrerequisitesOne course from any two of the following disciplines: Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, or Leadership Studies with a minimum grade of C-
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PPEL 262 Seminar in Law and Social Order
Units: 1
DescriptionAims to bring into contact and conflict various normative theories developed by philosophers, political scientists, economists, and legal theorists - that is, their different accounts of what makes acts right, outcomes good, or societies just - with significant attention paid to the implications these theories have for some area of law, such as international or tort law, or some legal institution, such as legislatures or courts.
PrerequisitesOne course from any two of the following disciplines: Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, or Leadership Studies with a minimum grade of C-
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PPEL 363 Rational Choice and Political Theory
Units: 1
DescriptionCritical introduction to the concepts and tools of rational choice theory and their application to the realm of politics in the form of social choice and public choice theory. Particular attention will be given to the use of choice theory to make normative arguments regarding the design of political and legal institutions, as well as public policy.
PrerequisitesECON 101 and PPEL 261 or 262 with a minimum grade of C-
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PPEL 381 Selected Topics in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law
Units: 1
DescriptionSelected topics in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law not covered by existing courses.
PrerequisitesPPEL 261 or 262
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PPEL 388 Individual Internship
Units: 0.5-1
DescriptionExperiential learning with application of theories and concepts from the disciplines of philosophy, political science, economics, and leadership studies in nonacademic contexts. Students may count no more than one unit of internship credit toward completion of the PPEL major. No more than 3.5 units of internship of any kind may count toward the total number of units required for a degree.
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PPEL 390 Independent Study
Units: 0.5-1
DescriptionIn-depth exploration of normative theories, concepts, and questions from the perspective of the disciplines of philosophy, politics, economics, and leadership studies, where these are not covered by other courses students may take in order to complete the PPEL major. Independent study proposals must be submitted to the PPEL Coordinator at least two weeks before the beginning of classes for the semester in which the independent study is to take place. No more than one unit of independent study may count toward completion of the PPEL major.
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PPEL 401 Senior Capstone Seminar
Units: 1
DescriptionA substantial research project that integrates normative theory from the disciplines of philosophy, political science, and economics. Specific topic and instructor will vary from semester to semester.
PrerequisitesECON101, PPLE261, PPEL262, and PPEL363
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PPEL 406 Summer Undergraduate Research
Units: 0
DescriptionDocumentation of the work of students who receive summer fellowships to conduct research [or produce a creative arts project] in the summer. The work must take place over a minimum of 6 weeks, the student must engage in the project full-time (at least 40 hours per week) during this period, and the student must be the recipient of a fellowship through the university. Graded S/U.
PrerequisitesApproval by a faculty mentor.