2024-2025 Catalog

Politics, Philosophy and Economics, BA, BS

Degree Requirements - 126 credits

Students can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree or a Bachelor of Science degree with this major

Politics, Philosophy and Economics Major Requirements: 14 courses, 54-55 credits

Core Requirements (8 courses, 30-31 credits)

EC-102Global Macroeconomics

3

EC-H102Honors Global Macroeconomics

3

PHIL-120Ethics and Civic Life

4

PHIL-H120Honors Ethics and Civic Life

4

PHIL-250Social and Political Philosophy

4

POLS-110Introduction to American Politics

4

POLS-H110Honors Introduction to American Politics

4

PPE-401Political Economy

4

PPE-H401Honors Political Economy

4

Students in the Honors Program have the option of completing the Honors version of a course.

Choose one of the following:

EC-101Applied Microeconomics

3

EC-H101Honors Applied Microeconomics

3

EC-103Using Big Data to Solve Economic and Social Problems

4

EC-H103Honors Using Big Data to Solve Economic And Social Problems

4

Choose one of the following:

POLS-181Introduction to Comparative Politics

4

POLS-H181Honors Introduction to Comparative Politics

4

POLS-225U.S. Constitutional Law and Civil Liberties

4

Choose one of the following:

PHIL-212Formal Logic

4

POLS-201Data Analysis and Politics

4

STATS-240Introduction to Statistics

4

STATS-H240Honors Introduction to Statistics

4

STATS-250Applied Statistics

4

STATS-H250Honors Applied Statistics

4

Electives (6 courses, 24 credits)

Choose two courses from each of the groups A, B, and C as listed below:

A. Political Science

-Choose one 4-credit Political Science course at the 200-level or higher

4

-Choose one 4-credit Political Science course at the 300-level or higher

4

Note: A list of Political Science courses can be found in the Courses section of the Academic Catalog.

B. Philosophy

-Choose PHIL-113 or any 4-credit Philosophy course at the 200-level or higher

4

-Choose one additional 4-credit Philosophy course at the 300-level or higher

4

Note: A list of Philosophy courses can be found in the Courses section of the Academic Catalog.

C. Economics

Choose two Economics courses from the list below, at least one must be at the 300-level or higher.

-Choose any 4-credit Economics course except ECON 101 or ECON 102 or ECON 103

4

-Choose one additional 4-credit Economics course at the 300-level or higher

4

Note: A list of Economics courses can be found in the Courses section of the Academic Catalog.

Residency Requirement Policy: In the College of Arts and Sciences, a two-course (8 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for completion of a minor and a four-course (16 credit) residency requirement must be satisfied for the completion of a major.

About the Politics, Philosophy and Economics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Politics, Philosophy, and Economics Major Learning Goals and Objectives

Learning goals and objectives reflect the educational outcomes achieved by students through the completion of this program. These transferable skills prepare Suffolk students for success in the workplace, in graduate school, and in their local and global communities.

Learning Goals Learning Objectives
Students will... Students will be able to...
Understand core contributions of political science, economics, and philosophy - Examine the institutions and rules that govern and structure political decision-making
- Identify the main theories and concepts of ethics and political philosophy
- Interpret the basic dynamics of market exchange and economic production and distribution
Critically evaluate structures, perspectives, and approaches - Combine perspectives, theories, and data from politics, philosophy, and economics to engage in real world social and political issues
- Accurately describe and evaluate the ethical stakes of decisions and their potential consequences from multiple perspectives or standards/criteria
- Compare and contrast existing social structures with alternatives
- Critique one’s own views and arguments
Identify and investigate an important research question - Formulate interesting and important research questions
- Identify relevant scholarly resources and synthesize the information essential to a research question
- Understand and apply qualitative and quantitative data from economic and political research
Defend a position clearly and directly in writing - Organize an argument in a form and level of depth suitable to a broad audience
- Employ philosophical tools (distinctions, objections/responses, convincing hypotheticals and counter-examples) constructively
- Produce clear, persuasive prose and write with accuracy, precision, consistency, and relevance to topic at hand
Discuss concepts and issues in a manner that is informed, creative, and civil - Engage in civil dialogue through group work, open discussions, Q&A, formal and informal presentations.
- Use sound argumentation strategies
- Debate issues in a respectful and empathetic manner

About the Politics, Philosophy and Economics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page

Honors

Honors in the Major is a highly selective opportunity to complete a signature original project or thesis with the close personalized mentorship of a departmental faculty member beginning in the junior year.  Students have the opportunity to complete a junior level interdisciplinary course addressing real-world problems. In the senior year, students present research or creative works completed in their discipline at the Honors in the Major Symposium. There is special recognition at Commencement and on the Suffolk transcript.

About the Politics, Philosophy and Economics Major

Learn more about the experiences and opportunities available within this major.

View the Program Page