Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law

major

The multidisciplinary Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law (PPEL) program ranges from the classic texts of Western tradition to the modern analytic and quantitative skills that equip students for professional success in the twenty-first century. Students enrolling in the PPEL curriculum will learn to read, write, and think critically while being steeped in the great ideas, thinkers, and debates of the past and present.

About this Program

  • School: Hamilton School for Classical and Civic Education
  • Degree: Bachelor of Arts
  • Credits for Degree: 120

To graduate with this major, students must complete all university, college, and major requirements.

School Information

The Hamilton School of for Classical and Civic Education is devoted to research and teaching on Western civilization and the principles of a free society. Here students can see beyond their horizons to prepare for lifetimes of leadership by studying the greatest works of the Western tradition and beyond. Open inquiry and the pursuit of excellence, grounded in Western civilization and the American experience, are the foundation of an education that will lead our students to thrive, not just while at the University of Florida, but throughout their lives and careers. Liberal education promises to be a transformative experience and at the university, the “meeting place of the greats.” The Hamilton School of for Classical and Civic Education fulfills that promise.

Website

CONTACT

Advising Email | General Email | 352.273.3040

Hamilton School
University of Florida
432 Newell Drive
CSE Building, 4th-5th Floors
P.O. Box 117460
Gainesville, FL 32611

Curriculum

 

PPEL prepares students to address the biggest challenges facing governments, businesses, and communities around the world today. These problems are not only political, economic, or legal; they are multifaceted, with intersecting moral, political, economic, and legal considerations. To understand these problems, students’ training must go beyond the boundaries of any single traditional academic discipline. Through case studies and a capstone senior research project, students acquire foundational analytical and quantitative skills; learn to analyze problems holistically by integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives; and learn to apply their new skills and knowledge to real world problems.

Coursework for the Major

Total Credits: 41

Intellectual Foundations | 9 Credits

AMS 2010Civil Discourse and the American Political Order3
ISS 2105The Origins of the Contemporary West: I (Ancients to the Scientific Revolution)3
ISS 2106The Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Enlightenment to Modernity)3
Total Credits9

Methodological Foundations | 14 Credits

ECO 2013Principles of Macroeconomics4
ECO 2023Principles of Microeconomics4
ISS 2445Legal Reasoning: How to Think Like a Lawyer3
STA 2023Introduction to Statistics 13
Total Credits14

Historical and Theoretical Perspectives | 12 Credits

ISS 2122The History of Political Economy3
ISS 2440Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law3
Select two:6
Liberty and Order: Philosophical, Political, Economic and Legal Perspectives
Human Flourishing: Philosophical, Political, Economic and Legal Perspectives
Major Figures in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law
Special Topics in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law
Total Credits12

Applied Knowledge | 6 Credits

ISS 4910PPEL Research Seminar3
ISS 4931Big Problems in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law3
or ISS 4940 PPEL Internship
Total Credits6

Critical Tracking records each student’s progress in courses that are required for progress toward each major. Please note the critical-tracking requirements below on a per-semester basis.

Equivalent critical-tracking courses as determined by the State of Florida Common Course Prerequisites may be used for transfer students.

Semester 1

  • 2.0 UF GPA required

Semester 2

  • Complete ECO 2013, ECO 2023, or STA 2023 with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.25 UF GPA required

Semester 3

  • Complete 1 additional course from ECO 2013ECO 2023, or STA 2023 with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.25 UF GPA required

Semester 4

  • Complete ECO 2013ECO 2023, and STA 2023 with a minimum grade of C
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses
  • 2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 5

  • Complete ISS 2122
  • Complete one required Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law course at the 3000 level or higher
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 6

  • Complete one additional required Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law course at the 3000 level or higher
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 7

  • Complete ISS 4910 with a 2.5 critical tracking GPA
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses2.5 UF GPA required

Semester 8

  • Complete ISS 4931 with a 2.5 Critical tracking GPA
  • 2.5 GPA required for all critical-tracking courses2.5 UF GPA required

To remain on track, students must complete the appropriate critical-tracking courses, which appear in bold. These courses must be completed by the terms as listed above in the Critical Tracking criteria.

This semester plan represents an example progression through the major. Actual courses and course order may be different depending on the student's academic record and scheduling availability of courses. Prerequisites still apply.

Plan of Study Grid
Semester OneCredits
Quest 1 (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
ISS 2105 The Origins of the Contemporary West: I (Ancients to the Scientific Revolution) (Select one Critical Tracking:) 3
State Core Gen Ed Biological and Physical Sciences 3
State Core Gen Ed Mathematics 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Two
ISS 2106 The Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Enlightenment to Modernity) 3
ECO 2013 Principles of Macroeconomics (State Core Gen Ed Social and Behavioral Sciences) 4
State Core Gen Ed Humanities 3
Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Semester Three
AMS 2010 Civil Discourse and the American Political Order (Gen Ed Humanities) 3
ECO 2023 Principles of Microeconomics (Critical Tracking) 4
ISS 2440 Introduction to Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law (Critical Tracking) 3
Gen Ed Biological or Physical Sciences 3
Elective 3
 Credits16
Semester Four
Quest 2 3
ISS 2445 Legal Reasoning: How to Think Like a Lawyer (Critical Tracking) 3
STA 2023 Introduction to Statistics 1 (Gen Ed Mathematics) 3
State Core Gen Ed Composition; Writing Requirement 6,000 words 3
Elective 3
 Credits15
Semester Five
ISS 4XXXThe History of Political Economy (Critical Tracking) 3
PPEL Historical and Theoretical Perspectives #1 3
Electives 9
 Credits15
Semester Six
PPEL Historical and Theoretical Perspectives #2 3
Elective (Writing Requirement; 6,000 words) 3
Electives 9
 Credits15
Semester Seven
ISS 4910 PPEL Research Seminar (Critical Tracking; Writing Requirement; 6,000 words) 3
Electives 12
 Credits15
Semester Eight
ISS 4931
Big Problems in Philosophy, Politics, Economics, and Law
or PPEL Internship
3
Electives 10
 Credits13
 Total Credits120