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. All of these credits must be earned by taking the relevant classes for a grade, and not with a pass-fail option.
All students fulfill a "Rigorous Reasoning" Pre-requirement.
All students are required to take a Common Core (6 credits). It is recommended that the Common Core classes be taken by the end of the sophomore year, and it is required that the students take them by the end of the junior year.
Students also choose a Traditional Concentration or a Thematic Concentration around which the major is centered. (This part counts for 9 credits). In the “Traditional Concentrations,” students will choose 5 courses from one of the three PPE subjects: Politics, Philosophy and Economics, and 2 each in the other two subjects. In the “Thematic Concentrations ”, students will choose a broad interdisciplinary area, and choose 9 courses in that area.
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 have the opportunity to frame their own thematic program to pursue interdisciplinary interests. If you are interested in pursuing a theme, please contact the Associate Director as soon as possible.There are currently four broad themes, and most interdisciplinary interests can be accommodated in one of them. The themes are choice and behavior, ethics and the professions, distributive justice, and international relations. Students choose to specialize in a theme in close coordination with the Associate Director and, whenever possible, a faculty advisor. The primary qualities we look for are evidence of interest, intellectual curiosity, and academic potential. Students will have broad flexibility in choosing their own sets of classes while fulfilling the thematic concentration requirements.
Students who prefer a more traditional and structured approach are encouraged to take the Traditional 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.
Students wishing to pursue a major in PPE are requested to carefully read this website (particularly the links from this page, and also the FAQ) and then come in person to the office of the Associate Director. Once decided, the student will have to fill out and bring this form to the office. Making an appointment prevents any possible wait time and is very strongly encouraged. Students who wish to obtain a peer perspective on PPE may contact the student board members.
* The PPE major has been revised to reflect new choices and regulations for those declaring in 2007-8 or later. For earlier cohorts, please see this page for traditional concentrations and this page for the interdisciplinary themes.