Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law

College of Arts and Sciences

312 Shatzel Hall, 419-372-2560

The minor in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law (PPEL) is a multidisciplinary program designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary for a critical understanding of the production, maintenance and interaction of social, political, legal and economic institutions. In particular, students will learn to combine empirical knowledge and methods, formal tools of analysis, and normative inquiry.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completing the minor, students in Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law are expected to:

• LO1: Be prepared to closely examine important normative and political questions by applying key economic, legal, political and ethical concepts (such as opportunity cost, marginalism, comparative institutional analysis, political ideology, theories of justice and governmental systems) to solve real-world challenges.
• LO2: Be able to analyze contemporary social conflicts and coordination problems in a multidisciplinary (economic, legal, political and ethical) context.
• LO3: Possess research skills necessary to conduct a research project using qualitative or quantitative evidence to evaluate and contribute to the resolution of debates and policy disputes in the law, political disagreement, economic conflicts, etc.
• LO4: Possess critical thinking, theoretical understanding, and communication skills necessary to responsibly address pressing political and economic questions.

Assessment of learning outcomes will be conducted through entry and exit surveys and a general assessment of the final PPEL research project, completed in PHIL 4800 in the minor's senior year. Papers produced in PHIL 4800 can be used to assess all learning outcomes.

Minor only (21 hours) - Fall 2014 course requirements

Students are required to take courses from each of the three major fields of study in PPEL, Philosophy, Political Science and Economics. All students must take PPEL 2240 as the gateway course and PHIL 4800 as the capstone. All minors must complete PHIL 3120 or PHIL 3020 and ECON 2020 or ECON 2000. There is no specific requirement in political science, though PPEL minors must take at least one political science course. With prerequisites, students can select three other electives from the approved list. Substitutions are possible with permission from the PPEL director. Note that none of these courses may be counted towards the relevant major.

Philosophy Electives: PHIL 2180, PHIL 2200, PHIL 2320, PHIL 2420, PHIL 3020, PHIL 3120

Political Science Electives: POLS 3040, POLS 3350, POLS 3720, POLS 4160, POLS 4170, POLS 4180, POLS 4200, POLS 4240, POLS 4260, or POLS 4760

Economics Electives: ECON 3210, ECON 3230, ECON 3350, ECON 4050, ECON 4220, ECON 4730*

*With instructor permission PPEL minors may count ECON 2020 and/or ECON 2000 as the prerequisite course(s) for all listed ECON electives, without ECON 2030.