Program Description

The Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) major is an interdisciplinary program that combines studies in political science, philosophy, and economics. When you seek a bachelor’s degree in PPE, you will take a core of classes from each of these three disciplines. You will also choose from one of seven concentrations.

The International Affairs concentration is best for students interested in international politics.

New Majors Onboarding

All newly admitted majors must attend this onboarding as an introduction to the School of Business, Government, and Economics. Please make note that there are no substitutions for this degree requirement. 

Entering and Completing the Major

In order to earn a degree, you must complete at least one academic major. SPU encourages students to explore various academic paths, so if you change your mind about a major, or want to include an additional program, you are able to do so, as outlined below.

Note that the University encourages you to enter your chosen major(s) as soon as you have determined it and are eligible to join it, especially by the start of your junior year. Students who transfer as juniors and seniors should enter a major within their first two quarters at SPU.

• If this is your first quarter at SPU and you identified a major in this department as your first choice on your application for admission to the University, you have gained entry to the major. To change or add a major, follow these instructions.
• If you are an SPU student with an SPU cumulative GPA of 2.0 or better, follow these instructions to enter a major in this department.
• The University requires a grade of C- or better in all classes that apply to a major; however, programs may require higher minimum grades in specific courses. You may repeat an SPU course only once for a higher grade.
• To advance in this program, meet with your faculty advisor regularly to discuss your grades, course progression, and other indicators of satisfactory academic progress. If your grades or other factors indicate that you may not be able to successfully complete the major or minor, your faculty advisor can work with you to explore options, which may include choosing a different major.
• You must complete the major requirements that are in effect in the SPU Undergraduate Catalog for the year you enter the major.

Politics, Philosophy & Economics: International Affairs (BA)

89 Credits Minimum, Including 52 Upper Division (UD)

Course List

Code	Title	Credits
Required Core: Political Science Courses
POL 1120	United States Government and Politics	5
POL 2320	Comparative Political Systems	5
or POL 2330	International Relations
POL 4640	Political Theory: From Antiquity to the 21st Century	5
Section Credits Required		15
Required Core: Philosophy Courses
PHI 1001	Logic and Critical Thinking	5
Select one of the following:		3
PHI 1002	Ethics and the Good Life
PHI 1004	The Examined Life
PHI 2700	Philosophy of Law
PHI 3770	Political Philosophy
Select one of the following:		5
PHI 3601	Ancient Philosophy
PHI 3633	Early Modern Philosophy
PHI 3651	Contemporary Ethical Theory	5
Section Credits Required		18
Required Core: Economics Courses
ECN 2101	Principles of Microeconomics	5
ECN 2102	Principles of Macroeconomics	5
ECN 3202	Intermediate Macroeconomics	5
or ECN 3201	Intermediate Microeconomics
ECN/POL 4310	International Political Economy	5
Section Credits Required		20
Required International Affairs Courses
Select 15 credits of the following:		15
POL 3320	Political and Economic Development of Nations
POL 3400	International Organizations
POL 3670	History of United States Foreign Relations
POL 4452	International Law
POL 4643	Methods of Political Analysis
Section Credits Required		15
Supporting Courses
BUS 1700	Spreadsheets	1
BUS 2700	Statistics for Business and Economics	5
BUS 2910	Early Career Preparation	1
BUS 3700	Quantitative Methods for Decision Making	5
or POL 4643	Methods of Political Analysis
BUS 4942	Early Career Professional Development	1
POL 4899	Political Science Capstone Seminar	3
or BUS 4899	Business Ethics
or ECN 4899	Capstone in Economics
or PHI 4897	Philosophy of Religion
Section Credits Required		16
Upper Division POL elective		5
Section Credits Required		5
Total Credits		89

Additional Requirements and Information

• New Majors Onboarding

Suggested Course Sequence

This is a sample schedule of sequencing for the Politics, Philosophy, & Economics (PPE) major. The first two years of PPE curriculum lay a foundation of theories, concepts, and competencies, which support upper division and track courses later in your academic career. Be sure to regularly review your degree status check in Banner to make sure you are on track with all of your degree requirements. The minimum credits required is significant and requires careful course planning.

Plan of Study Grid

Freshman
Autumn		Credits
WRI 1000	Academic Inquiry and Writing Seminar	5
UCOL 1000	University Colloquium	1
POL 1120	United States Government and Politics	5
Ways of Knowing in the Arts		5
	Credits	16
Winter
WRI 1100	Disciplinary Research and Writing Seminar	5
BUS 1700	Spreadsheets	1
BUS 2700	Statistics for Business and Economics	5
PHI 1001	Logic and Critical Thinking	5
	Credits	16
Spring
UFDN 1000	The Christian Faith	5
ECN 2101	Principles of Microeconomics	5
Ways of Knowing in the Humanities		5
	Credits	15
Sophomore
Autumn
UFDN 2000	Christian Scripture	5
ECN 2102	Principles of Macroeconomics	5
Ways of Knowing in the Sciences		5
Major		5
	Credits	20
Winter
Apply to major!
UCOR 2000	The Emergence of the Modern Global System	5
Ways of Knowing in the Sciences		5
Major		5
	Credits	15
Spring
Major		15
	Credits	15
Junior
Autumn
UCOR 3000	Faith, Philosophy, and Science	5
BUS 2910	Early Career Preparation	1
Major		10
	Credits	16
Winter
UFDN 3100	Christian Theology	5
Major		10
	Credits	15
Spring
POL 4310	International Political Economy	5
PHI 3651	Contemporary Ethical Theory	5
Major		5
	Credits	15
Any Quarter
BUS 3700	Quantitative Methods for Decision Making	5
Track Electives
Any remaining Exploratory Curriculum
	Credits	5
Senior
Autumn
BUS 4942	Early Career Professional Development	1
Major		15
	Credits	16
Winter
POL 4640	Political Theory: From Antiquity to the 21st Century	5
UD POL Elective		5
Major		5-8
	Credits	15-18
Spring
Major		15
	Credits	15
Any Quarter
BUS 4899	Business Ethics	5
UD POL Elective		5
Track Courses
Any remaining Exploratory Curriculum
	Credits	10
	Total Credits	204-207

¹

ECN 4899 Capstone in Economics, POL 4899 Political Science Capstone Seminar, and PHI 4897 Philosophy of Religion are only offered Spring Quarter.

Freshman Notes

• If you have not satisfied the Foreign Language Requirement, complete this year for your Exploratory coursework.
• 15 credits of PPE core courses double-count as exploratory “WK” coursework.
• Spreadsheets competency is required for courses early on. Take BUS 1700 Spreadsheets winter or spring quarter.

Sophomore Notes

• If you have not yet applied to the major, apply now! Applications are accepted year round and require good academic standing (2.0 or higher SPU cumulative GPA). 
• Attend the New Majors Onboarding. 
• PHI 3770 Political Philosophy alternative to PHI 1004 The Examined Life (but move to junior or senior year).
• Begin looking for an internship over the summer after your sophomore year. Recruiting often begins 6 to 12 months prior to an internship start date. 

Junior Notes

• Concentration courses should be taken when they best fit your schedule.
• Some concentration courses are offered once per year, or in rare instances, once every other year. Plan accordingly.
• Complete an SBGE approved internship.

Senior Notes

• Concentration courses should be taken when they best fit your schedule.
• Some concentration courses are offered once per year, or in rare instances, once every other year. Plan accordingly.