Overview
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) is an interdisciplinary degree program that provides a focused education in the economic, political, and philosophical issues facing Canadians.
The PPE Major is recommended for students who wish to pursue a career in business or government, or those who intend to undertake studies in law, business, commerce, journalism, social work, education, or public administration.
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Identify, classify, and formulate descriptive and normative arguments.
- List, define, and interpret core philosophy, political science, and economics terminologies and concepts.
- Contrast the assumptions and logic of fundamental philosophy, political science, and economics theories and relate them to Canadian and international political and socio-economic challenges.
- Communicate complex ideas orally and in writing to expert and non-expert audiences.
- Explain and assess the role and impacts of social and political institutions and policies.
- Identify and integrate ethical and moral considerations in economic and political decision-making.
- Define and integrate different perspectives when discussing issues of contemporary society.
- Describe and assess the epistemological considerations underlying economic and political discourse.
- Identify, integrate, and interpret data analysis and statistical methods when analyzing specific social, economic, and political issues.
- Combine and apply qualitative and quantitative methodologies from philosophy, political science, and economics to real-world problems (e.g., institutions, public finance, community environment, health, labour markets, development, etc.).
- Formulate and assess viable approaches to address political and socio-economic challenges in Canada and globally.
Major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
Admission Requirements
To be admitted to the PPE program, students must:
- have completed 48 credits;
- have completed all first- and second-year courses in the PPE Major program requirements with at least a 70% average in each PPE discipline taken prior to applying to the PPE Major;
- have completed 6 credits toward the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences communication requirement;
- consult with an Academic & Career Advisor.
Degree Requirements
| Major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) | Credits |
|---|---|
| Foundational Requirements | 21 |
| Distribution Requirements | 12 |
| Program Requirements | 78 |
| Electives any level | 9 |
| Total Credits | 120 |
Note: Some program requirements may be applied to Foundational and Distribution requirements; see B.A. requirements.
Program Requirements
| First and Second Years | Credits |
|---|---|
| All of ECON_O 101, 102, 225 | 9 |
| One of PHIL_O 111, 121 | 3 |
| One of PHIL_O 120, 220 | 3 |
| One of PHIL_O 210, 230 | 3 |
| One of POLI_O 201, 223 | 3 |
| One of STAT_O 121, 124, 230, DATA _O 101 | 3 |
| Two of: POLI_O 100; POLI_O 2031; POLI_O 202 or 230; POLI_O 210 or 2201; POLI_O 240 or 250. | 6 |
| Total 100/200-level credits | 30 |
| Third and Fourth Years | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECON_O 370 | 3 |
| PHIL_O 338 | 3 |
| 300/400 level Economics | 12 |
| 300/400 level Political Science | 15 |
| 300/400 level Philosophy | 12 |
| 300/400 level elective | 3 |
| Total 300/400-level credits | 48 |
| Program Requirement Total Credits | 78 |
¹ POLI_O 203 and POLI_O 210 or POLI_O 220 are recommended pre-requisites for the Option (D) Law Emphasis in the Honours Program.
Honours in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE)
The Honours program in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) enables high-achieving students to increase their concentration in PPE. Students are expected to satisfy high levels of competency in their academic achievement and to complete a thesis under a faculty member's supervision. Students intending to pursue graduate studies are advised to consider taking the Honours program since some universities expect potential graduate students to have completed an Honours degree.
Admission Requirements
- fourth-year standing;
- at least a 78% average in each PPE discipline taken prior to applying to the PPE Honours;
- a minimum overall average of 76%;
- a minimum grade of 76% in PHIL_O 338;
- a minimum grade of 76% in POLI_O 400 or 441;
- a minimum grade of 76% in one of ECON_O 327, 353, 363; and
- receive permission from the coordinator of the PPE program.
All Honours PPE students must complete all courses of their chosen option requirements. The honours thesis and seminar courses numbered 496 and 498 in their discipline of emphasis should be completed during their final year of study. Students must consult with the PPE Coordinator no later than the beginning of the term prior to the term in which they plan to complete their PPE Honours Seminar.
| Option A: Philosophy Emphasis | Credits |
|---|---|
| PHIL_O 496, 498 | 6 |
| PHIL_O 338 | 3 |
| 300/400-level PHIL_O | 12 |
| ECON_O 370 | 3 |
| One of ECON_O 353, 363 | 3 |
| 300/400-level ECON _O | 6 |
| POLI_O 400 or 441 | 3 |
| 300/400-level POLI_O | 9 |
| 300/400-level elective | 3 |
| Philosophy Emphasis 300/400-level requirements | 48 |
| Option B: Political Science Emphasis | Credits |
|---|---|
| POLI_O 496, 498 | 6 |
| POLI_O 400 or 441 | 3 |
| 300/400-level POLI_O | 12 |
| ECON_O 370 | 3 |
| One of ECON_O 353, 363 | 3 |
| 300/400-level ECON_O | 6 |
| PHIL_O 338 | 3 |
| 300/400-level PHIL_O | 9 |
| 300/400-level elective | 3 |
| Political Science Emphasis 300/400-level requirements | 48 |
| Option C: Economics Emphasis | Credits |
|---|---|
| ECON_O 496, 498 | 6 |
| ECON_O 370 | 3 |
| One of ECON_O 327, 353, 363 | 3 |
| 300/400-level ECON_O | 9 |
| One of POLI_O 400, 441 | 3 |
| 300/400- level POLI_O | 9 |
| PHIL_O 338 | 3 |
| 300/400-level PHIL_O | 9 |
| 300/400-level elective | 3 |
| Economics Emphasis 300/400-level requirements | 48 |
| Option D: Law Emphasis | Credits |
|---|---|
| POLI_O 400 or 441 | 3 |
| POLI_O 430 | 3 |
One of:
| 6 |
Three of:
| 9 |
| ECON_O 370 | 3 |
| One of ECON_O 353, 363 | 3 |
| Two of ECON_O 345, 351, 352, 353, 360, 361, 363, 371, 372, 386, 452 | 6 |
| PHIL_O 338 | 3 |
| Three of PHIL_O 314, 315, 331, 338, 345, 373, 425, 434, 435, 437 | 9 |
| 300/400-level elective | 3 |
| Law Emphasis 300/400-level requirements | 48 |
Graduation Requirements
- all general program requirements for the B.A. degree;
- all First- and Second-year requirements for the Major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE);
- one of POLI_O 498, PHIL_O 498, ECON_O 498 with a minimum grade of 80%;
- minimum weighted average of 76% over the last 60 credits;
- successful completion of either Option A, B, C, or D courses.