The PPE Major*
The PPE Major requirements offer the students several choices in designing the major. Some of the innovative ways the PPE major might be structured are described in the overview of the program. Sixteen distinct credits are needed for obtaining the major - implying that no course may be "double-counted" for fulfilling different requirements in the major. This means that a student graduating from the College with a PPE major needs at least 36 credits to graduate. All of these credits must be earned by taking the relevant classes for a grade, and not with a pass-fail option. Students should read the details below, and may also refer to this diagram for a quick visual understanding of the major.
All students fulfill a "Rigorous Reasoning" Pre-requirement.
All students are required to take Common Foundations courses (7 credits). These courses should be completed by the end of the sophomore year.
All students are required to take four PPE Core courses (4 credits). These are PPE-specific interdisciplinary courses. Students should have completed these courses by the end of the junior year.
"Finally, students choose Thematic Concentration electives. (This part counts for 4 credits). In the “Thematic Concentrations,” students will choose an interdisciplinary theme, and choose 4 courses in that theme.
Students who want to study a particular PPE discipline in greater depth are encouraged to pursue a minor in that discipline. PPE will count four (out of six) minor courses toward the PPE degree: two Foundation, one Core and one Thematic Concentration Elective.
Click here for information about a Minor in: Philosophy, Political Science and Economics
Finally, all PPE majors need to take a PPE 475 or 476 (Capstone seminar and research project) in their senior year. This accounts for the 16th credit. Students may take more than one Capstone seminar and count such seminars as electives in their thematic concentration.
Honors students may write their thesis as a substantial research project arising in the Capstone seminar, or as an independent study.
Research opportunities within the PPE major are described here.
Prospective students should read this page for information about how to structure their courses.
*Students who declared before 2008-9 may follow the older requirements