Core modules
All students take the same first core modules in all three departments which will support you with the foundation of the disciplines Mathematical and Statistical modules are available at either an intermediate or advanced level to suit students’ existing knowledge

Year One 80% core modules 20% optional modules
Year Two 25 to 50% core modules 50 to 75% optional modules
Final Year 25% core modules 75% optional modules
Choice of pathways
Before the start of Year Two you will choose from a set of six pathways You can focus on all three subjects (Tripartite) or choose to focus on a combination of two Depending on your pathway you will be able to graduate with either a or BSc

Year One
Introduction to Philosophy
You'll have a wide-ranging introduction to philosophy including ancient continental moral and political philosophy followed by epistemology metaphysics philosophy of mind and aesthetics and logic You'll learn to engage critically with different viewpoints and critically analyse and evaluate arguments central to philosophy

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Introduction to Politics
Introduction to Politics gives you a broad overview of the main issues and theoretical perspectives within Politics You'll learn first to understand and then apply the core concepts of comparative political science and theory to processes institutions ideologies and practical policy-making You'll conduct a comparative study of different political systems and political change both in writing and in open debate

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Economics 1
You'll develop an understanding of fundamental and intermediate concepts in micro- and macroeconomic analysis equipping you with a range of appropriate analytical skills including descriptive graphical and mathematical methods This will develop your ability to analyse economic trends institutions and policies and the capacity to apply analytical techniques to real-world problems

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Quantitative Techniques
This module combines two modules Mathematical Techniques and Statistical Techniques You may study these topics at either an intermediate or advanced level depending on your existing Maths qualifications

You will cover topics ranging from algebra and calculus to distributions and hypothesis testing which will provide you with key skills and knowledge that will then be applied in many other modules In addition you will be introduced to some advanced statistical software packages which will help you learn about a range of techniques to analyse data and different ways in which you can present data

Read more about these modules including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Mathematical TechniquesLink opens in a new window
Statistical TechniquesLink opens in a new window
Year Two (optional cores taken depending on pathway)
History of Modern Philosophy
You will discover the metaphysical and epistemological ideas of great Empiricist philosophers Locke Berkeley and Hume on substance qualities ideas causation and perception You will then explore Kant's ideas including metaphysics space self-awareness causation scepticism and freedom You will develop skills in critical engagement articulating your own views of the relative strengths and weaknesses of these arguments and interpreting key philosophical ideas

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Ethics
We evaluate each other’s actions constantly Maybe your friend broke a promise or you protest against a government welfare policy But what makes these moral claims true? You will use the tools of philosophy to illuminate these questions You will study theories of what makes things right or wrong (normative ethics) and more basic questions – is anything right or wrong anyway (metaethics)? Studying this module will provide you with knowledge and skills useful to the exploration of ethical and political questions in your further study

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Applied Ethics
Should I be able to buy your ‘spare’ kidney? You might think that if you are willing and I have the money then there is no harm involved But if you were desperate does that mean I would be taking advantage of you? These are the sorts of questions you will cover in Applied Ethics answering them in systematic ways For example we may ask about our duties to animals whether it’s permissible to have children and what is it that’s bad about death among other questions You will engage in debate on these and other questions arising in normative ethics and clarify and articulate your own standpoint on such issues

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Political Theory from Hobbes Seeking Freedom and Equality
How should human beings be governed? The thinkers you'll study – from Hobbes to Marx – had very different answers to this question Building on your understanding of political philosophy you'll read significant primary and secondary texts to develop your understanding of how political convictions are shaped by the context and history of individual thought and social interaction You'll confront and assess complex ideas in political theory and present and defend your point of view both orally and in writing

Read more about the Political Theory from Hobbes Seeking Freedom and Equality moduleLink opens in a new window including the methods of teaching and assessment (content applies to 2022 23 of study)

Economics 2
You'll develop deeper understanding of some of the key economic concepts but will also be introduced to new concepts in both micro- and macroeconomic analysis These include material drawn from general equilibrium welfare economics game theory risk and uncertainty within microeconomics and three equation macro model open economy macroeconomics and the labour market within macroeconomics It will introduce you to the analysis of public policy issues such as market failure insurance monetary unions and fiscal policy and will give you a range of tools to analyse economic problems Your analysis will be underpinned by a rigorous theoretical understanding acquired on the course

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Applied Econometrics
You'll learn important skills of both academic and vocational value an essential part of the intellectual training of an economist and social scientist and also useful for your future career These skills include awareness of the empirical approach to economics and social science; reviewing and extending fundamental statistical concepts; methods of data collection and analysis; regression analysis its extensions and applications; use of statistical packages such as STATA You will then be able to apply this knowledge to a research project of your own

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Econometrics 1
You'll be equipped with important skills of both academic and vocational value being an essential part of the intellectual training of an economist and also useful for your future career This includes an awareness of the empirical approach to economics; experience in analysis and use of empirical data; understanding the nature of uncertainty and methods of dealing with it; and using econometric software packages as tools of quantitative and statistical analysis With the required necessary skills and knowledge to critically appraise work in applied economics you'll have a good grasp of the dangers pitfalls and problems encountered in applied modelling You will then be able to apply this knowledge to a research project of your own

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Year Three (optional cores taken depending on pathway)
Principles of Political Economy Economics and Politics
This module is only available to final PPE students You will be concerned with governance at both national and global levels and consider this topic from the perspective of both economics and politics as academic disciplines The focus is on the extent to which these perspectives complement or conflict with each other You will study four specific areas where these perspectives overlap and learn to distinguish the strengths and weaknesses of each methodology covered

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Principles of Political Economy Economics and Philosophy
This module is only available to final PPE students In this module you will explore topics at the intersection of moral philosophy and the economic analysis and evaluation of public policy You will encounter topics in individual choice and rationality collective choice and justice welfare and welfare measurement and markets and their ethical limitations You will be introduced to key debates and learn to apply philosophical and economic perspectives to public policy issues

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Principles of Political Economy Philosophy and Politics
In this anthropogenic era politics and philosophy seem inextricably entwined On this module available to final-year PPE students you’ll combine the study of philosophy and politics and examine how each influences the other Using the tools of philosophy to understand analyse and debate contemporary political problems you’ll improve your ability to dissect and critique complex moral arguments and learn to construct an independent rigorous and informed position on topical social and political issues drawing on a variety of disciplines to reach your considered judgement

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Issues in Political Theory
Should parents send their children to private schools? Is freedom of movement a moral right? Is it unjust to rear animals for food? Who should bear the costs of climate change? You'll explore fundamental questions of political morality by critically analysing complex arguments from contemporary political philosophy You'll study closely John Rawls’s theory of justice and consider the rival theories of Robert Nozick G A Cohen and Ronald Dworkin You'll have practical opportunities to develop and defend your own ethical standpoint through your considered judgements on current dilemmas taking into account opposing arguments and perspectives

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Across Years Two and Three you will also take at least one interdisciplinary optional module

Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from to Example optional modules may include

States and Markets An Introduction to International Political Economy
International Trade
Philosophy of Terrorism and Counterterrorism
Topics in Development Economics
Feminism
Making of Economic Policy
Philosophy of Religion
The Political Economy of Money
Economics of Money and Banking
Democracy and Authority