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Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PP&E) offers an innovative curriculum for students drawn to interdisciplinary approaches and diverse frameworks for understanding social phenomenon.
PP&E majors take a shared set of introductory courses, then choose from three specializations: Politics and Philosophy, Economics, or International Studies.
Career Options
Students in this major are prepared for careers in:
- Government
- Law
- Public agencies
- Business
- Nonprofit management
- Diplomacy
- Community work
- Journalism
The PP&E major also prepares students for advanced studies in law, journalism, international relations, public policy, international development, and other social sciences.
Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Degree Requirements
Note: Students majoring in PP&E cannot minor in Politics, Economics, or Law and Policy.
All PP&E students take introductory classes in economics, politics and philosophy, after which they must specialize in either Politics and Philosophy, Economics, or International Studies. All majors are required to complete their degree by participating in a capstone class.
Core and Methods Requirements
At least one class from each of the following three lists, for a total of 20 credits:
List A: Economics Core
- TECON 200 Introduction to Microeconomics or
TBECON 220 Introduction to Microeconomics Theory - TECON 201 Introduction to Macroeconomics or
TBECON 221Introduction to Macroeconomic Theory
List B: Philosophy Core
- TPOLS 201 Introduction to Political Values and Ideas
- TPHIL 101 Introduction to Philosophy
- TPHIL 240 Introduction to Ethics
- TRELIG 321 Comparative Religion
List C: Politics Core
Specialization Requirements
PP&E students choose between three options for their major specialization: Politics and Philosophy, Economics, and International Studies.
Politics and Philosophy Option combines political science with philosophy, sociology, history, economics, and policy studies. It provides an in-depth study of political theory, political and social interactions, relations between states and capital and the history of relationships between governments and citizens. The program also aims to develop skills needed for an informed and effective citizenship. To fulfill this option, you must take four classes from the list of Politics and Philosophy option classes, as well as two additional classes from either the Economics or International Studies options.
- TGH 301 Global Interactions*
- TGH 303 Global Challenges*
- THIST 322 American Labor Since the Civil War
- THIST 350 Modern Germany Since 1848
- TLAW 320 American Constitutional Law: Institutional Powers and Constraints
- TLAW 361 American Constitutional Law: Rights and Liberties
- TLAW 424 The Politics and Law of International Human Rights
- TLAW 465 Law and Public Policy in the United States
- TPHIL 200 Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Rights
- TPHIL 315 Chinese Philosophy and Religions Today
- TPHIL 355 The Modern Mind
- TPHIL 358 History of Philosophy: Medieval and Modern
- TPHIL 360 History of Philosophy: Modern and Contemporary
- TPHIL 361 Ethics in Society
- TPHIL 367 Utopias
- TPHIL 414 Philosophy of Law
- TPHIL 451 The Enlightenment
- TPHIL 453 Political Theory of Human Rights
- TPHIL 456 Environmental Ethics
- TPHIL 466 Philosophy of the Future
- TPOLS 230 International Human Rights
- TPOLS 310 Modern European Political Theory
- TPOLS 319 Theories of Political Violence
- TPOLS 321 American Foreign Policy
- TPOLS 322 War and Politics
- TPOLS 323 The Practice of War
- TPOLS 324 War, Activism, and Ethics
- TPOLS 329 Making of Modern Africa
- TPOLS 340 Middle East Politics
- TPOLS 343 Community and Labor Organizing: A Multicultural Perspective
- TPOLS 355 Reproductive Rights, Law, and Justice
- TPOLS 360 Genocide
- TPOLS 371 The Politics of Security
- TPOLS 382 State Government
- TPOLS 400 American Presidency
- TRELIG 345 Christian Thought and Ethical Practice
- TRELIG 350 Philosophy, Religion and the Environment
- TRELIG 467 Philosophy of Religion
Economics Option emphasizes economic theory and reasoning. It provides a solid foundation for understanding how the interplay of economics and politics shape our everyday lives. Particular emphasis is placed on analytical and critical thinking skills and problem solving. To fulfill this option, you must take four classes from the list of Economics option classes, as well as two additional classes from either the Politics and Philosophy or International Studies options.
- TBECON 420 Intermediate Microeconomic Theory
- TECON 210 Ethics and Economics
- TECON 316 Current Issues in U.S. Public Policy
- TECON 320 Gender and Development
- TECON 325 Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy
- TECON 350 Law and Economics
- TECON 360 Poverty in Developing Countries
- TECON 362 China's Rise and its Global Economic Implications
- TECON 370 Economics and Social Mobility
- TECON 410 Economics of Public Policy
- TECON 418 Urban Problems and Policies
- TECON 421 Environmental Policy
- TECON 430 Behaviorial Economics
- TECON 441 International Economics
- TECON 450 Labor Economics and Policy
- TECON 470 Economics of Health and Health Policy
- TECON 480 Seminar in Economic Analysis
- TGEOG 349 Geography and International Trade
International Studies Option focuses on the study of relations between states, domestic groups and transnational actors from an interdisciplinary perspective that includes politics, philosophy, history and economics. Students gain the background knowledge and skills necessary to understand the sources of conflict, cooperation and peace in the global arena. To fulfill this option, you must take four classes from the International Studies option list, with the choice of using up to five credits from a study abroad course or one third quarter or higher language course as one of the four option classes. Two additional classes from either the Politics and Philosophy or Economics options are also required.
- TECON 325 Contemporary Issues in International Political Economy
- TECON 360 Poverty in Developing Countries
- TECON 362 China's Rise and its Global Economic Implications
- TECON 441 International Economics
- TEGL 435 Migration in the Modern World
- TGEOG 349 Geography and International Trade
- TGH 301 Global Interactions*
- TGH 303 Global Challenges*
- THIST 271 Modern East Asia
- THIST 350 Modern Germany since 1848
- THIST 365 Europe in the Twentieth Century
- THIST 457 Anti-Semitism and the Holocaust
- THIST 464 Modern China
- THIST 465 Modern Japan
- THIST 466 Modern Korea
- THIST 474 Imperial China
- THIST 475 Twentieth-century Britain
- THIST 484 The Pacific War
- TLAW 422 International Humanitarian Law
- TLAW 423 International Law
- TLAW 424 The Politics and Law of International Human Rights
- TPHIL 200 Introduction to the Philosophy of Human Rights
- TPHIL 315 Chinese Philosophy and Religions Today
- TPHIL 361 Ethics in Society
- TPOLS 230 International Human Rights
- TPOLS 310 Modern European Political Theory
- TPOLS 319 Theories of Political Violence
- TPOLS 321 American Foreign Policy
- TPOLS 329 Making of Modern Africa
- TPOLS 340 Middle East Politics
- TPOLS 341 Conflict and Cooperation in the Middle East
- TPOLS 350 Politics and Film in the Middle East
- TPOLS 371 The Politics of Security
- TPOLS 451 Human Rights and the Use of Force
- TRELIG 321 Comparative Religion
- TRELIG 333 Buddhist Thought
- TRELIG 366 Islam
- TSUD 444 Green Internationalism and the City
- TWOMN 420 Women in the Global Economy
Capstone Requirement
Toward the end of their studies, all PP&E students engage in a capstone class. You must complete the below seminar for your final five (5) credits in this major. This course will be your culminating work for your major and illustrate that you have met the student learning objectives.
As a PP&E student, you also have the option of graduating with honors, which requires a second capstone class. This route is especially recommended for students expecting to enter graduate school.
In addition to the coursework required for the major, students are required to complete general university requirements and electives, and to bring their total number of credits to 180.
Many community colleges offer courses that can be used to earn credits toward your Politics, Philosophy, and Economics degree. This means that you can arrive at UW Tacoma well on your way to completing the PP&E major. Please see an advisor at your institute to find out more about the articulation agreement and requirements, or you may contact a UW Tacoma SIAS Academic Advisor at siasadv@uw.edu.
Courses that will fulfill specific requirements in the PP&E major | |
---|---|
GREEN RIVER COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN PP&E |
POLS 202 American Government | TPOL S 202 Introduction to American Politics |
POLS 203 International Relations | TPOL S 203 Introduction to International Relations |
PHIL 110 Social and Political Philosophy | TPOL S 201 Introduction to Political Values and Ideas |
ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200/TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201/TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
HIGHLINE COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL |
POLS 201 Intro to Political Theory | TPOL S 201 Introduction to Political Values and Ideas |
POLS 202 American Government | TPOL S 202 Introduction to American Politics |
POLS 203 Introduction to International Relations | TPOL S 203 Introduction to International Relations |
ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200/TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201/TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
OLYMPIC COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN PP&E |
POLS 101 Intro to Political Science or POLS 201 Intro to Political Theory |
TPOL S 201 Introduction to Political Values and Ideas |
POLS 202 American Government | TPOL S 202 Introduction to American Politics |
POLS 203 International Relations | TPOL S 203 Introduction to International Relations |
ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200/TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201/TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
PIERCE COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN TLAWPL |
POLS 202 American Government | TPOLS 202 Introduction to American Politics |
POLS 203 International Relations | TPOL S 203 Introduction to International Relations |
ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200/TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201/TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
SEATTLE CENTRAL COLLEGE COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN PP&E |
POLS 202 American Government | TPOL S 202 Introduction to American Politics |
POLS 203 International Relations | TPOL S 203 Introduction to International Relations |
ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200/TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201/TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
SOUTH PUGET SOUND CC COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN PP&E |
POLS 202 American Government | TPOL S 202 Introduction to American Politics |
POLS 203 International Relations | TPOL S 203 Introduction to International Relations |
ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200/TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201/TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |
TACOMA CC COURSES WITHIN THE AA | UW TACOMA EQUIVALENT COURSES WITHIN PP&E |
POLS 101 Introduction to Political Science | TPOL S 204 Introduction to Comparative Politics |
POLS 202 American Government | TPOL S 202 Introduction to American Politics |
POLS 203 International Relations | TPOL S 203 Introduction to International Relations |
ECON 201 Microeconomics | TECON 200/TBECON 220 Microeconomics |
ECON 202 Macroeconomics | TECON 201/TBECON 221 Macroeconomics |