Philosophy, Politics, and Economics, with tracks in Economic History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Public Policy

Available only to the Class of 2028 and beyond.

Contemporary societies confront novel challenges in political, economic, and social affairs. The scope of these challenges calls into question the adequacy of established institutions, policies, and theories. In order to develop solutions, we must be prepared to rethink fundamental aspects of human social life.

Our major in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) prepares students to engage in this sort of problem solving by giving them the tools to understand the challenges presented by the world and how we ought to respond to them. Philosophy trains students to engage in the ethical reasoning needed to determine what should be done, while the social sciences provide insights into the workings of human societies and the feasibility of proposed solutions.

PPE at DKU takes a global approach. Students will engage with diverse philosophical traditions rooted in East Asia, Europe, North America and beyond. They will learn about how those traditions have understood human life and society. They will learn to apply the ideas and methods of those traditions to contemporary problems. They will also engage with empirical research from around the world in the disciplines of economics, political science, history, and public policy.

After students complete this major, they will be able to formulate rigorous arguments on major human questions. More generally, they will possess analytical and communication skills that will be valuable no matter what sort of career they choose to pursue after graduation.

Major Requirements

(Not every course listed is offered every term, and the course list will be updated periodically. Please refer to the online Course Catalog for Courses offered in 2025-2026.)

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics / Economic History

Divisional Foundation Courses

Interdisciplinary Courses

Disciplinary Courses

[120] This course was named ETHLDR 202 Ethics, Markets, and Politics prior to Fall 2025.

[121] This course was named ETHLDR 203 Conceptions of Democracy and Meritocracy prior to Fall 2025.

[122] This course was named ECON 203 Introduction to Econometrics prior to Fall 2025. Students are encouraged to complete SOSC 205 before submitting a Signature Work Project Proposal.

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics / Philosophy

Divisional Foundation Courses

Interdisciplinary Courses

Disciplinary Courses

[123] This course was named ETHLDR 202 Ethics, Markets, and Politics prior to Fall 2025.

[124] This course was named ETHLDR 203 Conceptions of Democracy and Meritocracy prior to Fall 2025.

[125] This course was named PHI 102/HIST 101 Ancient Chinese History and Philosophy prior to Fall 2025.

[126] This course was named PHIL 101 Introduction to Western Philosophy prior to Fall 2025.

[127] This course was named PHIL 207 Ethical Theory prior to Fall 2025.

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics / Political Science

Divisional Foundation Courses

Interdisciplinary Courses

Disciplinary Courses

[128] This course was named ETHLDR 202 Ethics, Markets, and Politics prior to Fall 2025.

[129] This course was named ETHLDR 203 Conceptions of Democracy and Meritocracy prior to Fall 2025.

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

[130] This course was numbered CULANTH 302 Ethnographic Field Methods prior to Fall 2025.

[131] This course was named POLSCI 221 US/China Relations prior to Fall 2025.

[132] This course was named POLSCI 301 Program Evaluation prior to Fall 2025.

[133] This course was names SOSC 320 Data in the World: Applied Social Statistics prior to Fall 2025.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics / Public Policy

Divisional Foundation Courses

Interdisciplinary Courses

Disciplinary Courses

[134] This course was named ETHLDR 202 Ethics, Markets, and Politics prior to Fall 2025.

[135] This course was named ETHLDR 203 Conceptions of Democracy and Meritocracy prior to Fall 2025.

[136] This course was named PUBPOL/SOCIOL/SOSC 309 Education, Policy, and Society prior to Fall 2025.

Electives

Courses listed in the table below are recommended electives for the major. The course list reflects the most recent intellectual organization of major electives. Depending on the academic year in which you matriculated, some of the courses below may be requirements for your major. To verify required courses, always consult the requirements for the relevant class year in the bulletin of the year in which you matriculated unless you have been approved to complete the major requirements of a subsequent year.  (See Ability to Meet Major Requirements Published in Years Subsequent to Year of Matriculation.)

[137] This course was numbered CULANTH 302 Ethnographic Field Methods prior to Fall 2025.

[138] This course was named CULANTH 211 Gender, Mobility, and Labor prior to Fall 2025.

[139] This course was named and numbered CULMOVE 101 Cultures of Globalization prior to Fall 2025.