Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Course description

Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) is an integrated Honours degree offering the exciting possibility of exploring the three subjects in depth and obtaining an understanding of how they connect with one another. Whether you are aiming for a career in business, politics, the civil service, the voluntary sector or in journalism, a leading background knowledge in the humanities and the social sciences would be of great value. In which case this degree course – the first of its kind in Scotland – may well be the one for you. This degree is ideal for the intellectually curious student who seeks to understand and solve the complex problems facing modern societies and economies. Rooted in three separate disciplines, it combines a high level of intellectual stimulation with a down-to-earth understanding of the interface between political institutions, societal values and the economy. You will study nine modules in Semesters 1-3, including: Politics of the British Isles; Introductory Microeconomics; and Philosophy – what is it all about? In Semesters 4-8 you will study the following Core Modules: Politics: Great Political Thinkers; Philosophy: Moral Theory or Logic; and Economics: Intermediate Macroeconomics. Having completed the foundation block in all three disciplines, PPE students enjoy a particularly rich choice of Honours Option Modules comprising a diverse range of options in Politics, Philosophy and Economics. In Semesters 5 and 6 you will take modules in each of the three disciplines, then you can either continue to study in each of the three subjects or choose to specialise in two of them. Semesters 7-8 have further specialisation (see leaflets on Economics, Philosophy and Politics respectively). In your final year, you will bring together the different skills you have acquired by preparing a dissertation, which covers at least two of the three PPE subject areas. Assessment for all of these modules is through a combination of coursework and examinations. Coursework includes essays, tutorial presentations, participation in tutorials, role play exercises and case studies and book reviews. Exams usually account for 50% of the mark in each module. Stirling PPE students are also encouraged to make the most of the Study Abroad opportunities offered at the University to study for a full semester or a whole academic year at participating universities in Australia, Canada, Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and the United States.

Subjects

• Philosophy
• Economics
• Politics