Philosophy, Politics & Economics
Bachelor Degree (B.A.) in Philosophy, Politics & Economics
A PATH FOR FUTURE LEADERS
The Philosophy, Politics & Economics (PPE) degree at Belmont Abbey College is based on the University of Oxford’s PPE program that has produced many presidents, prime ministers, and other world leaders. In small classes with dedicated professors, you will cultivate knowledge across these three disciplines, specialize in one of them, and focus on a skill such as language, mathematics, or international relations. Courses on logic and ethics, constitutional law, micro- and macroeconomics, and more will teach you how to reason at a high level about political and economic decisions. Our program is ideal for future political leaders and lawyers, and for anyone to develop skills to succeed in graduate school and to climb organizational ladders.
Possible career paths:
Politics, government, diplomacy, law, business and finance, teaching, consulting
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$57k
Average Salary For Philosophy, Politics & Economics Majors
Curriculum
In addition to the specific requirements listed in the section below, all students at the Abbey are required to earn credits in our core liberal arts curriculum.
Philosophy Requirements:
PH 202: Introduction to Logical Reasoning
PH 301: The Good Life (Ethics)
At least 1 course from among Philosophy (PH) courses at the 300- or 400-level
OR TH 340: Catholic Social Teaching: God and the Good Society
Politics Requirements:
PO 309: American Constitutional Law I
PO 361: American Political Thought I
At least 1 course from among Government and Political Philosophy (PO) courses at the 300- or 400-level.
Economics Requirements:
EC 201: Introductory Economics I
EC 202: Introductory Economics II
At least 1 course from among Economics (EC) courses at the 300- or 400-level.
Specialization Requirements:
Another 2 courses in one of the three disciplines: PH, PO, or EC
Further Requirements:
MA 208: Statistics OR EC 306 Quantitative Analysis
PE 300: PPE Seminar in Contemporary Problems
Senior Thesis PH 470: or PO 490: or EC 490:
Either 2 courses in one language
OR 2 courses from among the following:
Mathematics (MA) courses at the 200-level or higher
Selected History (HI) courses
International Relations: PO 299: Fundamentals OR PO 375: Western Diplomacy
Psychology: PC 330: Organizational Psychology OR PC 360: Social Psychology
Internship
Electives:
19–22 hours
Note on Specialization:
We recommend that students also pursue a minor. They can minor in one of the three disciplines (Philosophy, Politics, or Economics) by taking at least 3 courses in that area.
PH301 The Good Life
How should humans live? Explore the main approaches to ethics as represented by Aristotle, Aquinas, Kant, Mill, and Nietzsche, and apply these approaches to contemporary issues.
PO361 American Political Thought I
Study the political ideas of American statesmen and thinkers such as Jefferson, Franklin, Madison, Hamilton, and Calhoun.
EC317 Intermediate Microeconomics
Learn the foundations of economic analysis in this course on price theory, with applications to labor, commodities, and financial markets.