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PHILOSOPHY, POLITICS, & ECONOMICS

THE WARWICK PPE PROGRAMME

INFORMATION FOR PROSPECTIVE STUDENTS

2010/2011



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Table of Contents

I. The Warwick PPE programmeII. Programme structure

III. First year core modulesIV. First year optional modulesV. Second and Third year core modulesVI. Second and Third year optional modulesVII. Studying abroadVIII. Advice on applyingIX. Some suggested literatureX. People and contacts

I. The Warwick PPE programme

The interdisciplinary PPE degree has contributed a lot to British life andbeyond thanks to the famous Oxford course. It is only more recently that other universities have started to offer PPE as well. Given the increasing realisationthat many social phenomena can only be properly understood by combiningthe insights gained from the different disciplines of Philosophy, Politics, andEconomics, it is not surprising that many of these new programmes prove to

be very successful. Warwick is proud to be one of them.

The PPE degree at Warwick started in 2004 and has now produced four cohorts of graduates. The interest in the course shown by students hassurpassed all expectations; the intake has grown and entry has quicklybecome very competitive. Student numbers have increased to the point where,in October 2010, over 100 students are entering the first year, and theprogramme will have some 270 students in total.

The Warwick PPE programme offers students the opportunity to study thethree contributing disciplines at foundation level, and either any two or all threeat more advanced (honours) level. The three contributing departments –Philosophy, Politics and International Studies (PAIS), and Economics – are alllarge and successful. The size and internal diversity of the three departmentsallow for a wide range of optional modules, while the core is carefully designedto provide exposure to the techniques, content and major concerns of therelevant disciplines.

In contrast to the Oxford PPE, which may be characterized as a “pillar model”,

Warwick adopts what may be called a “bridge model”. When you study PPE atWarwick, you do not just study the three disciplines independently in parallel,



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but are given ample opportunities – both formal and informal – to combineinsights from the different disciplines.

For example, the final year core module, Principles of Political Economy, istaught by members of staff from all three disciplines as a team. It aims toprovide a context in which students can integrate their studies in the threedisciplines with a focus on the global political economy. It explorescontributions from politics, philosophy, and economics to select global publicpolicy issues. Topics vary from year to year according to the interests of thelecturers teaching the module; in recent years they have included global

justice, poverty and development, climate change, globalization andinternational trade, global economic governance, and aid and humanitarianinterventions.

II. PPE programme structure

Modules taken in the first year are the foundation for study at the honours levelin the second and third years. The first year does not count directly towardsthe class awarded: First, Second or Third Class. Students must pass all their examinations at the end of the first year to qualify to enter the second and thirdyears of study. The class of degree is decided on the basis of performance inthese modules only. Most students graduate with Second Class Honours(divided into Upper and Lower Second Class).

First Year: Foundation level

Core modules taken by all students:

Introduction to Philosophy (30 credits*)

Introduction to Politics (30)Economics I (30)Quantitative Techniques (30)

Optional module(s): students take 30 credits from Philosophy, Politics &

International Studies (PAIS), Economics, or other approved option(s) fromdepartments within the Faculty of Social Studies or the Faculty of Arts (moreinformation in section IV). Some modules are taught over the full year andcount 30 credits, while others are shorter, last one term, or less, and are worth15, 12 or 6 credits.

Second & Third Year Students: Pathways at honours level

By the end of their first year, students must choose one of three PPEpathways. Students may elect to continue with all three disciplines at Honourslevel, or concentrate on any two.

*Teaching credits are also known as CATs.



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The pathways are:

1. Tripartite pathway: Philosophy, Politics and Economics

2. Bipartite pathway: Philosophy/Politics, Politics/Economics or Philosophy/Economics

3. Bipartite Economics Major pathway: Either Economics/Philosophy or Economics/Politics

The Tripartite and the Bipartite pathway lead to a BA. The Bipartite EconomicsMajor pathway leads to a BSc.

Tripartite Pathway*(BA)

Second Year 120 credits Third Year 120 credits

Core

modules120

credits

History of Modern PhilosophyOR Ethics 1&2 (30)

AND

Political Theory from Hobbes(30)

ANDEconomics 2 (30)

Principles of Political Economy:TWO OF

a. Philosophy and Politics

b. Politics and Economics

c. Economics and Philosophy(15 each)

Optionalmodules

120credits

2nd and 3rd year modules from Philosophy, PAIS or EconomicsDepartments and up to 30 credits of approved Outside Option(s).

* Alternative variants of all three Pathways allow students to take Issues in Political theory in

their final year instead of Political Theory from Hobbes in their second year.



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Bipartite Pathway* (BA)


Coremodules

90credits

TWO OF History of Modern

PhilosophyOR Ethics 1&2(30)

Economics 2(30)

Political Theory from Hobbes(30)

Principles of Political Economy:

TWO OF a. Philosophy and Politicsb. Politics and Economicsc. Economics and Philosophy

(15 each)

Optionalmodules

150credits

2nd and 3rd year Options from Philosophy, PAIS, Economics andup to 30 credits of approved Outside Option(s)

(No more than 120 credits from one department)

Bipartite Pathway, Economics Major* (BSc)


Coremodules

120 credits

Economics 2 (30) AND

Econometrics 1OR Economic Statistics (30)

ANDHistory of ModernPhilosophyOR

Ethics 1&2OR Political Theory fromHobbes (30)

Principles of Political Economy:

TWO OF

a. Philosophy and Politicsb. Politics and Economicsc. Economics and Philosophy

(15 each)

3rd Year Economics Option (30)

Optionalmodules

120 credits

2nd or 3rd year Economics Option (30)

2nd & 3rd year Options from Philosophy, PAIS, Economics and

up to 30 credits of approved Outside Option(s) (60)



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Choosing your Options

Being a multi-disciplinary degree and thus offering a lot of diversity within theprogramme, you should choose your options from the three PPE departments.In your first year, however, you’re free to choose your optional module from a

broad range of departments (see list below, in section IV.)

You may also want to take a language option. We are happy to encourage thestudy of languages. Some restrictions apply, however. Students are notallowed to take modules at an elementary level towards classification of Honours. We also need to be satisfied that the module you wish to take issufficiently demanding for you, given your previous knowledge, and theLanguage centre will determine the appropriate level.

At Honours level, we expect you to choose your options from Philosophy,Politics, or Economics. If it fits your overall course of studies, however, wemay also approve an optional module or modules (up to 30 credits) fromanother department. For example, if you get approval to take a module inHistory in your 2nd year you will automatically be excluded from taking another outside option in your 3rd year.

III. First year core modules

• INTRODUCTION TO PHILOSOPHY (30 credits)

This module, which is new in 2010/11, will give you a flavour of all that thedepartment and the subject have to offer. It is a wide-ranging introduction tosome of the most important issues and works in philosophy. The areascovered will be: moral and political philosophy, aesthetics, continentalphilosophy, philosophy of mind, epistemology, metaphysics. Students willacquire a broad grounding in philosophy.

Term 1,Ancient Philosophy, (Text: Plato, Republic ), Continental Philosophy(Nietzsche, Beyond Good and Evil ), Moral Philosophy (Mill, Utilitarianism;Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics), Political Philosophy (Hobbes, Leviathan)Term 2,Epistemology (Descartes, Meditations), Metaphysics (Aristotle,Metaphysics), Aesthetics (Hegel on Tragedy, Hume on Taste)Term 3,Logic



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• INTRODUCTION TO POLITICS (30)

The module divides into three parts.(1) Political processes and institutions: introduces concepts of politicalculture and socialisation before outlining some key political actors andinstitutions. Students will examine different electoral systems, the role of political parties and interest groups, legislative structures and executivepower.(2) Examines competing ideas about democracy, the role of the state,power and authority as well as rights and distributive justice. The ‘politicalideologies’ component outlines conservative and liberal thinking as wellas Marxist, socialist and feminist perspectives.(3) Addresses political change or transformation such as may occur through revolution, democratisation and nationalist movements.

• ECONOMICS 1 (30)

This module provides a foundation in economic analysis (micro andmacro). It is an introduction suitable for all students whether or not theyhave studied the subject previously. Seminars are weekly for students whohave not taken A level Economics, otherwise fortnightly.

Micro: Market equilibrium, supply and demand; Costs and Revenues;Market Structure and Firm Behaviour; The Firm's Factor Markets; Welfare

Economics; International Trade

Macro: Consumption, saving and investment; Aggregate demand, fiscalpolicy and foreign trade; IS and LM curve analysis; Fiscal and monetarypolicy; Aggregate supply; Open economy macroeconomics: the Worldeconomy; Economic growth and economic cycles.

• QUANTITATIVE TECHNIQUES (30)

This module provides the foundation in quantitative methods. It has threecomponent parts: (1) Mathematical Techniques develops techniques of mathematical analysis needed to study economics; (2) StatisticalTechniques develops an understanding of probability and the concept of statistical significance needed by all social scientists; (3) Computing andData Analysis develops transferable computing and data awareness skills.

There are two pairs of modules in mathematical and statistical techniques, Aand B, for students without, and with, A level Maths, respectively. Which one

you take depends not only on your mathematical background but also your intentions regarding the modules you want to take. Some EconomicsHonours level modules have mathematics and statistics requirements. For



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example if you wish to study econometrics or mathematical economics, youshould have studied Mathematical Techniques B and Statistical TechniquesB. You have the right to make the choice for yourself. We make an initialassignment, on the assumption that those who have passed A level Mathswill take Mathematical Techniques B and Statistical Techniques B.

Mathematical Techniques A (12)Revision of basic algebra; series (AP, GP, present value); introduction tocalculus; differentiation; logarithms; exponentials; optimisation; integration;difference equations; economic applications.

Mathematical Techniques B (12)Revision of basic differentiation and integration; Taylor series; calculus of functions of two or more variables; total derivatives; differentials;unconstrained and constrained optimisation; matrix algebra; solvability of

equation systems; difference equations; economic applications.

Statistical Techniques A (12)Descriptive Statistics; probability concepts and rules; random variables andprobability distributions; gaussian distribution; sampling and samplingdistributions; point estimation and confidence intervals; hypothesis testing;uses of the Student t, chi square and F distributions; bivariate distributions;covariance and correlation; simple two variable regression analysis;measurement of inequality using Gini coefficients.

Statistical Techniques B (12)Students taking Mathematical Techniques B will also be entered for Statistical Techniques B. In addition, students who obtain a mid-sessiontest mark of 60% or more in Mathematical Techniques A may elect to joinStatistical Techniques B, allowing them to take more technical econometricoptions. This module covers the following syllabus: descriptive statistics;probability; discrete random variables; binominal and Poisson distributions;bivariate distributions; covariance and correlation; continuous random

variables; uniform and normal distributions; limit theorems; Samplingdistributions; point estimation and confidence intervals; hypothesis testing;correlation and two variable regression analysis.

Computing and Data Analysis (6 credits)All students take this module, which covers: computing skills; economicstatistics; descriptive statistics, data awareness, data analysis; report-writing and report-presentation.



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IV. First year optional modules

Philosophy

• INTRODUCTION TO ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY (30)

• IDEAS OF FREEDOM (30)

Economics

• THE WORLD ECONOMY: HISTORY AND THEORY (30)

• THE INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY ITS GLOBAL SHIFT IFTL• THE INDUSTRIAL ECONOMY: STRATEGY (15)

• MATHEMATICS FOR ECONOMISTS AND LINEAR ALGEBRA FOR ECONOMISTS

(15 EACH)

Politics & International Studies

•

WORLD POLITICS (30)

Outside options

Language Centre Modules in:ARABIC, CHINESE, FRENCH, GERMAN, JAPANESE, RUSSIAN, SPANISH (Visit the Language Centre early in the first week of term to be sure of aplace.)

Psychology

• BRAIN AND BEHAVIOUR

• PSYCHOLOGY IN CONTEXT

Sociology

• INTERNATIONAL PERSPECTIVES ON GENDER,

• SOCIOLOGICAL PERSPECTIVES

• MEDIA SOCIOLOGY

•

SOCIAL WELFARE IN BRITAIN

History

• MAKING OF THE MODERN WORLD

• THE MEDIEVAL WORLD

• GHANDI AND INDIAN NATIONALISM

• BRITAIN IN THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

• FAMILY IN MODERN BRITAIN: HEALTH, WELFARE AND SOCIAL CHANGE

• GALLEONS AND CARAVANS: GLOBAL CONNECTIONS 1300-1800

• DEVELOPING SOUTH ASIA: FROM COLONIALISM TO GLOBALISATION • HISTORY OF GERMANY

• HISTORY OF RUSSIA



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• DRAGON’S ASCENT: THE RISE OF MODERN CHINA

• IRELAND 1848-1970: A POLITICAL AND SOCIAL HISTORY

Comparative American Studies

• LATIN AMERICA: THEMES AND PROBLEMS

•

NORTH AMERICA: THEMES AND PROBLEMS • COMPARATIVE HISTORY AND LITERATURES OF THE AMERICAS

English

• MODES OF READING

• LITERATURE IN THE MODERN WORLD

• THE EPIC TRADITION

• MEDIEVAL TO RENAISSANCE ENGLISH LITERATURE

French• FRENCH CULTURE AND SOCIETY FROM THE MIDDLE AGES TO THE

REVOLUTION

• FRENCH IMAGINATION

German

• WRITERS, MEDIA AND SOCIETY IN CONTEMPORARY GERMANY

• ASPECTS OF GERMAN CULTURE IN THE AGE OF ENLIGHTENMENT

Warwick Business School• FOUNDATIONS FOR ACCOUNTING & FINANCE

Other DepartmentsApart from the modules listed above, other Departments, such as Italian,Law or Education, may offer options. If you are interested, please ask theSecretary of the Department concerned.

V. Second and Third year core modules

The following modules are core to some or all pathways.

• HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY (30)

The first part, taught in the Autumn term, covers key texts and arguments of Berkeley and Hume. The Spring and Summer terms deal with Spinoza andwith Kant. This list may be expanded to include other modern philosophers,such as Bacon and Malebranche. It is standard, however, thatapproximately thirteen weeks are devoted to Kant's Critique of Pure

Reason.• ETHICS I (15)



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“What does morality require from us?” is often seen as the core questionethics has to answer. However, there are other questions of similar importance, such as: “Why be moral?” “Is it rational to be moral?” “Canmoral judgments be true or false, or is it a mistake to think about moraldiscourse in this way?” In Ethics I we analyse these and other questions.The aim is to gain a grasp of the most important topics in both normativeethics and metaethics. We will read classic texts by David Hume andImmanuel Kant as well as texts by contemporary moral philosophers suchas Allan Gibbard, Christine Korsgaard, Peter Railton, and Michael Smith,among others.

• ETHICS II (15)

This module examines some leading positions in contemporary normativeethics, including consequentialism and various forms of non-

consequentialism, such as contractualism and pluralist intuitionism. Inaddition, we shall examine some debates in applied ethics, concerningduties of assistance, rights of self-defense, and terrorism, as well as variousthreats to moral responsibility.

• POLITICAL THEORY FROM HOBBES (30)

This module aims to give you an understanding of the political philosophy of some of the most important European writers from 1640 onwards. You will

be encouraged to read widely in both the primary and secondary literatureconcerning these writers. After having attended the seminar and lectures,in which this literature will be discussed, you should have gained anappreciation of debates about the connections between the ideaspresented by these political philosophers and historical developmentsconcerning the state that took place in the period, as well as the economictransformation from agricultural to industrial society.

Three weeks are devoted to the most important ideas of selected thinkers

in six blocks. They are: Hobbes, Locke, Rousseau, Burke and Paine andWollstonecraft, J.S. Mill, Marx.

• ISSUES IN POLITICAL THEORY (30)

The study of politics has included not just the study of how the politicalworld operates, but also the study of how it ought to operate. This moduleexamines a set of issues that have received considerable attention withinrecent normative political theory. The module is divided into five parts:

1. Conceptions of Justice after Rawls (including those of John Rawls,Robert Nozick, Ronald Dworkin and G. A. Cohen)

2. Justice and the Welfare State (which considers issues concerning



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education, stake-holding, and health care)

3. Diversity Issues (which considers liberal, democratic and feministresponses to pluralism, and considers the political morality of abortion)

4. Justice across Frontiers (which examines issues concerning thetreatment of non-human animals, environmental justice, immigration, and

our duties to the global poor)

5. War and Punishment (which focuses on the political morality of warfareand the question of punishment and moral luck)

• ECONOMICS 2 (30)

The module aims to enable students to develop a deeper understanding of economic concepts introduced in first-year analysis and to introduce new

concepts in both micro and macroeconomic analysis. New conceptsinclude the treatment of risk, asymmetric information, general equilibrium,welfare economics and rational expectations. The module aims tointroduce students to the analysis of public policy issues such asprivatisation, regulation and monetary and fiscal policy.

Microeconomics: The analysis of consumer demand; including a focus onmarkets with asymmetric information. The analysis of production, cost,supply and input demand functions, with an emphasis on markets under oligopoly. The analysis of general equilibrium and welfare economics.Consideration of the economics of public policy issues such as privatisationand regulation. Game theoretic approaches to oligopoly, entry and other strategic areas in industrial and business economics. Economics of riskand uncertainty.

Macroeconomics: The concept of the aggregate supply curve and itsderivation from alternative theories of the labour market. The analysis of unemployment and the determination of the price level. Theories of inflation and of counter-inflation policy, including the time-consistency

problem. The open economy, with particular reference to the effect of international capital flows, analysed using the Mundell-Fleming andDornbusch models. Theories and evidence about economic growth,including endogenous growth.

• ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STATISTICS (30)

The module covers the following topics: Statistical estimation and inference(including non-parametric methods; contingency tables; introduction to

SPSS or STATA); sampling and survey methods (including questionnairedesign, pitfalls and alternative sample designs); factor analysis andprincipal component analysis (methods and applications, use of SPSS);



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simple linear regression and multiple regression (dummy variables,diagnostics, LIMDEP models, dynamic models, use of SPSS).

• ECONOMETRICS I (30)

The module covers: Linear regression model; Least squares estimation;Gauss-Markov Theorem; Prediction. Multiple regression; Least squaresestimation; Dummy variables; Linear Restrictions; Structural change;Omission of relevant variables + inclusion of irrelevant variables; Laggeddependent variables; Dynamic models; Non-linear models; Functional formtests; Heteroscedasticity; Generalised Least Squares; Lagged dependentvariable models; Multicollinearity; Errors in variables; Simultaneity;Instrumental Variable estimation; Limited Dependent Variable Models;Nonstationarity and Cointegration.

• PRINCIPLES OF POLITICAL ECONOMY (30)

The module focuses on the global political economy. It will explorecontributions from politics, philosophy, and economics to select publicpolicy issues. The module will be taught by members of staff from all threedepartments and aims to provide a context in which students can integratetheir studies in the three disciplines. Topics addressed will include global

justice, development, economic rationality and morality, globalization andinternational trade, global governance, and aid and humanitarian

interventions. Students must take two of the following three 15-creditmodules:

(1) Politics and Economics (15)This module is concerned with the governance of both the national and theglobal political economy, and considers this topic from the perspective of both economics and politics as academic disciplines. The focus is on theextent to which these perspectives complement or conflict with each other.We study three specific areas where these perspectives overlap.

1. The first part exposits and critically evaluates the body of work knownas public choice. This views political decision-making as being theoutcome of individual goal-orientated agents interacting in anenvironment subject to electoral and constitutional rules, and thus, for some, represents the “colonization” of part of the traditional territory of political studies by microeconomics. This approach generatespredictions about how such rules will affect government policy e.g. theimpact of majoritarian or proportional electoral rules on the level andcomposition of public expenditure. We then discuss critiques of thepublic choice perspective.

2. The second is in the provision of public goods, in particular, the



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concept of Global Public Goods such as greenhouse gas emissionreductions. The problems of supply and financing of GPGs isparticularly challenging, as they involve cooperation between manydifferent nation-states.

3. The third part looks at the institutionalist school(s) both in political

studies and economics, and the related and increasingly rapidlygrowing filed of behavioral economics. In particular, it will be arguedthat behavioral economics, combined with more careful attention paidto institutions, has the potential both to put the whole of microeconomics on a more secure foundation, and bring about arapprochement with political studies.

(2) Economics and Philosophy (15)The idea behind this core module is to explore theoretical issues at the

intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics, with a thematic focus onglobal public policy questions. The half-module Economics and Philosophywill explore the philosophical content in the economic analysis andevaluation of public policy.

1. Normative Decision Theory2. Rationality and Moral Evaluation3. Collective Choice4. Justice5. Markets, Freedom and Efficiency

6. Gains from Trade7. Well-Being8. Externalities and Public Goods

(3) Philosophy and Politics (15)This module focuses on central debates and theories in international,intergenerational and environmental justice. Topics addressed includeglobal poverty and egalitarianism; theories of intergenerational justice;science, ethics and impacts of climate change; the Kyoto Protocol; andoverpopulation.

1. Global Justice2. Global Justice and International Legitimacy3. International legitimacy4. Population5. Justice Between Generations6. The Non-identity Problem7. Climate Change: Science, Impacts, and Ethics8. Climate Change: Politics and Policy9. Discussion and Conclusions



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VI. Second and Third year optional modules

The three departments offer a wide range of optional modules at honourslevel. Not all options are offered in every year; equally, new options arefrequently made available – usually reflecting the research interests of tutors

and new developments in the disciplines. The following list shows the situationin 2004-2005, but because of staff changes and planning constraints thisshould be regarded as only an illustrative guide to future years.

Philosophy modules available to second- and third year students

Whole-year (30 credits) module

• HISTORY OF MODERN PHILOSOPHY

Part Year (15 credits) modules:

Autumn Term

• AESTHETICS I

• LOGIC II: METATHEORY

• ETHICS I

• PHILOSOPHY OF MIND

• PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION

• 20TH

CENTURY CONTINENTAL

PHILOSOPHY I

• POST-KANTIAN CONTINENTAL

PHILOSOPHY I

• EPISTEMOLOGY

• PHILOSOPHY OF SCIENCE

• WITTGENSTEIN

Spring Term

• AESTHETICS II

• ANCIENT PHILOSOPHY

• ETHICS II

• PHILOSOPHY OF THOUGHT &LANGUAGE

• METAPHYSICS

• PHILOSOPHY OF SOCIAL SCIENCE

• 20TH CENTURY CONTINENTAL

PHILOSOPHY II

• PHILOSOPHY OF MATHEMATICS

• MODAL LOGIC*

• CONTEMPORARY POLITICAL

PHILOSOPHY: RAWLSIAN LIBERALISM

& JUSTICE

Detailed information on all Philosophy modules (typically includingreading lists, handouts, etc.) is available athttp://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/ugstudy/



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Philosophy modules normally available to third-years only (15)

Autumn Term Spring Term

• CONSCIOUSNESS & REALITY

• POST-KANTIAN CONTINENTALPHILOSOPHY II

Whole-year (30 credits) module: DISSERTATION

PAIS modules for second and third years (all 30 credits)

Second year

•

POLITICAL THEORY FROM

HOBBES

• POLITICS OF DEVELOPING AREAS

• POLITICS OF THE UK

• POLITICS OF THE USA

• FRENCH POLITICS AND INSTITUTIONS

• POLITICS AND POLICY

• THEORIES OF INTERNATIONAL RELATIONS

• THE INTERNATIONAL POLITICS OF DEMOCRACY PROMOTION

• STATES AND MARKETS: AN INTRODUCTION TO INTERNATIONAL ECONOMY

• INTERNATIONAL SECURITY

• CORE ISSUES IN INTERNATIONAL POLITICS

Third year

• ISSUES IN POLITICAL THEORY

• POLITICAL, ECONOMIC AND LEGAL PROBLEMS OF EUROPEAN INTEGRATION

• GENDER AND DEVELOPMENT

• THE EARLY COLD WAR 1945-1962 - SHAPE AND SHADOWS

• MIDDLE EAST REGIONAL RELATIONS

• DISSERTATION

• POLITICAL THEORY AND CONCEPTIONS OF INDUSTRIAL SOCIETY

• POLITICS OF GLOBALISATION

• US FOREIGN POLICY

• BRITAIN AND THE WAR IN IRAQ



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• CRITICAL SECURITY STUDIES

• VIGILANTE STATE: THE POLITICS OF INTELLIGENCE

• THE POLITICS OF RELIGION

Economics modules for second and third years

Second year

Whole year modules (30)

• ECONOMICS 2

• ECONOMETRICS 1

• ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL STATISTICS

Part year modules (15)

Autumn term

• DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS 1(MICROECONOMICS)

• THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION:GROWTH AND LIVING

STANDARDS

• INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS 1:MARKET STRUCTURE

• ECONOMICS OF MONEY AND

BANKING

• MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS

1A: INTRODUCTION TO GAME

THEORY

Spring term

• DEVELOPMENT ECONOMICS 1(MACROECONOMICS)

• PUBLIC CHOICE AND VOTING

THEORY

• WAR AND ECONOMY OF THE

TWENTIETH CENTURY

• INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS 1:STRATEGIC BEHAVIOUR

• MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS

1B: MODELS OF STATIC AND

DYNAMIC OPTIMISATION

• THE INDUSTRIAL REVOLUTION:SOCIETY AND ECONOMY

Third year



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Whole year modules (30)

• THE MAKING OF ECONOMIC POLICY

• ECONOMETRICS 2

• MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS 2

•

RESEARCH IN APPLIED ECONOMICS

Part year modules (15)

Autumn term

• THE BRITISH ECONOMY IN

THE TWENTIETH CENTURY

• INTERNATIONAL

ECONOMICS

• TOPICS IN ECONOMIC

THEORY

• TOPICS IN FINANCIAL

ECONOMICS: THEORIES

AND INTERNATIONAL

FINANCE

Spring term

• ECONOMIC POLICY IN THE EU

• INTERNATIONAL ECONOMICS

• TOPICS IN DEVELOPMENT

ECONOMICS

• THE INTERNATIONAL

ECONOMIC SYSTEM SINCE

1918

• ECONOMICS OF PUBLIC

POLICY

•

INDUSTRIAL ECONOMICS 2:MARKET ECONOMICS,COMPETITION AND

REGULATION

• TOPICS IN FINANCIAL

ECONOMICS: CORPORATE

FINANCE AND MARKETS

•

INTERNATIONAL TRADE

Consult the department webpages for further detail.

Planning your 2nd and 3rd years

The programme structure requires you to plan over two years.

In choosing your modules, you must respect the rules applying to eachdepartment’s modules. In PAIS 200-coded modules are restricted to 2

ndyear

students, and 300-coded modules to 3rd year students. There is no such rulefor Philosophy modules, but some restrictions apply. Economics have a similar rule for single honours students but it does not apply to PPE students,



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although there are restrictions in that some modules have prerequisites. Thus,PPE 3rd years can take EC200 coded modules.

If it fits your overall course of studies, we may also approve an optionalmodule from another department. To get approval, you need to fill in anOutside Option Request Form, available from the PPE office and on thewebsite. You may also be asked to see the Director of Studies to discuss your case and get approval.

You are only allowed a maximum of 30 credits of outside options at Honourslevel. For example, if you get approval to take a History module in your 2

nd

year you will automatically be excluded from taking another outside option inyour 3rd year.

Studying Foreign LanguagesPPE is happy to encourage the study of languages, but some restrictionsapply.

The principles that govern building a language into your degree programmeare as follows:

It has to be established that the language module is sufficiently demanding for you. You cannot study a language option in your first language under any

circumstances.

Taking a language option in your second or third year requires a change of syllabus and you need to fill in an Outside Option Request Form.You will not be allowed to take more than one language option in your secondand final year of study. If you take a language option in your first year andwant to apply to take another option in this language in your second or thirdyear, you will have show that it is at a higher level.

Only language modules of level 3 or above can be credited to an Honoursdegree. Level 1 or 2 can only be taken in your first year.

VII. Studying Abroad: Departmental Exchange Programmes

There are two ways in which you might include a year of study abroad as partof your degree, by participating in a departmental exchange programme.

PPE with an integrated year abroad

PPE students are eligible to apply to participate in the exchange programmesof the departments of PAIS and Philosophy, by spending their 2nd year with apartner university. If you participate in an exchange programme, you will be



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expected to choose courses that mimic the Warwick syllabus at your foreignUniversity and you will still complete your degree in 3 years.

The Department of Politics and International Studies has placements atGeorgetown University in Washington, DC the University of California, and theCity University of Hong Kong. For more information please go tohttp://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/staff/mccrisken/umassgeorgetown/ and http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/currentstudents/cityu/.

The Department of Philosophy participates in an exchange scheme with theDepartment of Philosophy at Queen’s University Ontario, Canada. For moreinformation please go to

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/philosophy/student/ug/exchange/.

PPE with Intercalated Year / Erasmus

Alternatively, you have the option of studying at a University abroad for anextra year between your 2nd and 3rd years. This option adds a year of studyand you will complete your degree in 4 years.

The Economics Department has links with ten European Universities under the EU’s Erasmus exchange programme. These universities are: Amsterdam(Netherlands), Barcelona Autonoma (Spain), Lille CU (France), Lisbon Nova(Portugal), Madrid Carlos III (Spain), Munich (Germany), Paris Sorbonne(France), Paris IEP (France), UFSI Antwerp (Belgium), Milan CU (Italy) and

Universitat Pompeu Fabra (Barcelona, Spain). For more information on theErasmus scheme of the Department of Economics, please go tohttp://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/ug/admissions/socrates/ .

The Department also has an exchange scheme with the University of California. For more information on this exchange programme, please go to

http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/economics/ug/admissions/socrates/ .

PAIS has links with the following European Universities under the EU’sErasmus exchange programme: Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Bordeaux,France, Institut d’Etudes Politiques de Grenoble, France, Sciences PolitiquesParis, France, Universitaet Konstanz, Germany, Universitaet Salzburg,Austria, Universita di Pavia, Italy.

For more information on the PAIS Erasmus programme, please go to:http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/currentstudents/erasmus

The Philosophy Department has links with the Universities of Jena and Bergenunder the EU’s Erasmus exchange programme.



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VIII. Advice on applying

Admissions are made by four criteria:

1. Subjects studied

2. Expected grades (or grades obtained) at GCE A level, InternationalBaccalaureate or equivalent3. References4. Your Personal Statement

1. Subjects studiedOur only subject requirement is a pass in GCSE (or equivalent) Mathematicsat grade A or better. There are no prerequisites in terms of particular subjects at GCE A level among the three that we require. We are generallylooking for academic potential in your choice of A level subjects studied.

Good subjects to study include traditional academic subjects such asHistory, Mathematics, English, Economics, Government & Politics, modernlanguages and the Sciences. We also look for evidence of ability inexaminations and would not normally accept more than one subject that isassessed mainly by coursework.

Too narrow a focus can count against you in a competitive applicant pool,for example Economics and Business, or Mathematics and Further

Mathematics, may be a less successful combination; we would not acceptthese combinations among your three A level subjects. An A-level in anapplicant's mother-tongue which is actually designed to be taken as aforeign language is not acceptable as one of the three A-levels required.

2. Expected gradesIf you have yet to take your exams, we look for expected grades at the levelof our typical entry condition (A*AA at Advanced level, not counting GeneralStudies, and a B at AS level).

3. ReferenceWe read the UCAS reference in conjunction with the Personal Statement totry to get an overall picture of each applicant.

4. Personal StatementWe read the personal statement and attach a lot of importance to it. We arelooking for evidence of what your academic interests are, what you haveread about and, especially, how you think, how you respond to what you

read. We want students who can show a serious interest in at least two of the three subjects. We are especially keen on recruiting students interestedin combining study of philosophy with either politics or economics.



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We are not looking for someone with a lot of knowledge of any of the threesubjects - obviously you will study them on the degree - but someone whodemonstrates an intelligent interest in, and enthusiasm for, learning them.We do not require you to have read any of the classic texts on the readinglists for the degree if you are studying for your exams.

We want to see evidence of the following:

• Awareness of important issues: we want to know what you think are theimportant issues and why you want to study them.

• That your interests fit within the Warwick PPE approach.

• Evidence of a critical intelligence.

• Evidence of reading: not just the names of publications but also whatyou think of them, what you have got out of them, why you think they areuseful, or wrong. For example, you might get a lot out of readingcolumnists in the Guardian, New Statesman, Economist, Financial Timesor whatever. We would like you to tell us a bit more, for example, whichcolumnists or parts and what you think of them. Mention some writersyou have read and tell us something about them that shows what youthink about them. (We don’t expect you to have studied in depth greatworks, treatises or textbooks.)

IX. Some Suggested Readings

Students are not expected to have studied any of the three disciplines beforecoming to Warwick. However we often get asked to suggest reading. If you areparticularly enthusiastic and feel like getting started, once you have an offer,and done your exams, however, here are some suggestions.

Some classics you will read on the course:

David Hume A Treatise of Human Nature

Immanuel Kant Groundwork of the Metaphysics of Morals

Thomas Hobbes Leviathan

John Stuart Mill Utilitarianism

Adam Smith An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of Nations

John Maynard Keynes, The General Theory of Employment, Interest and Money



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Some contemporary readings:

John Rawls. 1971. A Theory of Justice. Cambridge: Harvard University Press.

… a contemporary classic …

Elizabeth Anderson. 1993. Values and Ethics in Economics. Cambridge: HarvardUniversity Press

… an exploration of how economic rationality clashes with ethical judgments …

Amartya Sen. 1987. On Ethics and Economics. Oxford: Blackwell

… a discussion of ethical premises in economic theory …

Amartya Sen. 1999. Development as Freedom. New York: Knopf

… an alternative philosophy of development …

Thomas Pogge. World Poverty and Human Rights. Cambridge: Polity Press

… a treatment of global justice …

Peter Singer. One World – the Ethics of Globalization. New Haven: Yale University Press… a proposal for globalizing ethics …

Will Kymlicka. 1991. Contemporary Political Philosophy . Oxford: Oxford University Press… an introduction to philosophy and politics …

David Held. 1987. Models of Democracy . Cambridge: Polity Press

… on the philosophy of democracy …

Mancur Olson. 1971. The Logic of Collective Action. Cambridge: Harvard UniversityPress

… a pessimistic discussion of the problem of free-riding …

Martin Hollis. 1994. Philosophy of Social Science. Cambridge: Cambridge UniversityPress

… focuses on the philosophy of economics and politics …

Richard Titmuss, 1970, The Gift Relationship …famous study of the supply of human blood in Britain and America…

Richard Wilkinson and Kate Pickett, 2010, The Spirit Level

… shows how inequality is harmful for all, the rich as well as the poor …



X. People and contacts

Director of Studies: Professor Dennis Leech, of the Economics Department

Departmental PPE convenors:Philosophy: Dr Brian McElwee

- Politics and International Studies: Professor Andrew Reeve- Economics: Professor Robin Naylor

PPE OfficeThe PPE office handles the administration of the programme and oftenprovides answers to any questions students might have about their programme. It is situated in the Social Studies Building, about equidistant from

the three Departments, in room S1.63.

Secretaries: Mrs Maureen Tod and Mrs Lucy Parker Telephone 02476 522582/575285Email: [email protected]

WebsitesFind out more about the University at www.warwick.ac.uk and about the PPEprogramme at http://www2.warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/ppe. (There are also links tothe three partner departments from this page.)

prospective students 2010

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