Politics/Philosophy/Economics, BA

• Combined major offered by the Department of Economics, College of Business and Economics, the Department of Political Science, College of Humanities and Social Sciences and the Department of Philosophy, College of Humanities and Social Science

Introduction

In this major, Politics, Philosophy, and Economics are combined in a multidisciplinary effort to study modern political science, questions of political philosophy, pursue social scientific research, and apply economic analysis in problem solving. The multidisciplinary trio provides a foundation in philosophy, logic, and critical thinking, political processes within the U.S. and in the international system, and the functioning of the economy with attention to economic analysis tools. Students are given preparation in the foundational materials of each of these fields, and encouraged to explore classes at the intersection of political and economic issues. Because it draws on three different research disciplines, this combined major strives to provide students with an interdisciplinary set of skills related to critical reasoning and analysis, problem solving and decision making, and social scientific research. The PPE combined major is not a triple major; rather, it strives to provide a broad exposure to these three fields.

Why Consider a Politics/Philosophy/Economics Major?

This is a multidisciplinary major designed to provide a solid foundation in disciplines critical to decision making and leadership in economic, political and social service institutions.

Student Resources

Department website: Economics; Political Science; Philosophy

Contact information: 

• Economics: Diane Brearley, Department Manager, Parks Hall 315, 360-650-3910, Diane.Brearley@wwu.edu or Econ@wwu.edu
• Philosophy: Sùsanna à’Kinlochaline, Bond Hall 302B, 360-650-3859, akinlos@wwu.edu
• Political Science: Jessie Tanksley, Arntzen Hall 415, 360-650-3469, politicalscience@wwu.edu

Department advising: See the pre-major advising section of the College of Business and Economics website.

Degree Works: Current students should also log on to Degree Works to check student-specific program progress.

Career Services Center: Connect major to a career

Sample careers: Attorney, Analyst, Lobbyist, Diplomat, Urban/Regional Planner

How to Declare (Admission and Declaration Process):

Students planning to major in Politics/Philosophy/Economics should declare their major as early as possible, preferably their first year at Western. Completion of the CBE foundation courses is not required to declare this combined major in economics.

This major must be approved by each department.

• Economics Department
  • Students must have a 2.5 college-level GPA or better to declare an economics related major. Complete and submit the online application form.
• Philosophy Department
  • Students wishing to declare as a major or minor should contact the Academic Department Manager or the Department Chair.
• Political Science Department
  • Students are eligible to declare the PPE major if they have completed any two of the following core courses: PLSC 250, PLSC 261, PLSC 271, PLSC 291, or the equivalent course(s) at another college or university. Due to high student demand and limited capacity, immediate access to specific courses cannot be guaranteed. Students who have no transfer credits for political science coursework: go to the political science department office in Arntzen Hall 415 with an unofficial WWU transcript showing the two completed courses from the list above. Students who have transfer credits for political science coursework from another institution must also bring an unofficial transcript from that institution showing the political science courses completed.

Study Abroad Transfer Credit

The Philosophy, Economics and Political Science Departments encourage students to participate in study abroad opportunities that further their academic studies. Up to fifteen (15) credits of approved study abroad coursework can be applied to the major requirements. Students can distribute those 15 credits across the three departments, with no more than 10 of those credits transferrable to Political Science and no more than 12 of those credits transferrable to Economics.

Credit will not be awarded until Western has accepted the credits from the foreign institution. At that point, we will evaluate your study abroad coursework when you provide the following documents to all three departments:

• Transcript from the foreign institution showing completed coursework, a minimum grade of C– is required.
• Syllabi/course descriptions of the classes completed or if a syllabus is not available then your work product (papers, tests & readings) from the class.

As a joint major, students are required to get approval from all three departments for study abroad transfer credit. Please note that the amount of credit awarded towards the major is at the discretion of the departments, after review of the course materials, and may differ from credits awarded by the WWU Registrar.

Grade Requirements

A grade of C- or better is required for a student’s major or minor courses, and supporting courses for majors and minors.