The Common Foundations aim to ensure every PPE student has a basic overview of principles in each of the allied disciplines. These courses serve as the intellectual backdrop for the integrating Core Courses and area of depth developed in the thematic concentration. For example, a Globalization student may begin with PHIL 2430 Global Justice (271) and PSCI 1402 International Political Economy (152) where a Public Policy and Governance student may take PHIL 1450 Philosophy of Law (077) and PSCI 1205 Constitutional Law (271). Though the foundation courses do not have to relate to your theme, this is a good time to explore your interests.

The student will take 7 classes as the PPE Foundation: two each in Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics, and one in Psychology. To ensure you have broad exposure to the major, we encourage you to complete the Common Foundations by the end of the sophomore year.

 

Common Foundations Courses accepted in AY 2022-2023 and beyond:

**Not all courses are offered every semester.**

 

Philosophy

Philosophy Foundation

• PHIL 1433: The Social Contract (formerly PHIL 008)

Philosophy Foundation (Choose 1):

• PHIL 1330: Ethics (formerly PHIL 002)
• PHIL 0330: Introduction to Moral Philosophy (formerly PHIL 012)
• PHIL 1800: Philosophy of Science (formerly PHIL 025)
• PHIL 1342: Biomedical Ethics (formerly PHIL 072)
• PHIL 1345: Business Ethics (formerly PHIL 074)
• PHIL 1450: Philosophy of Law (formerly PHIL 077)
• PHIL 1343: Environmental Ethics (formerly PHIL 079)
• PHIL 1571: Repairing the Planet: Tools for the Climate Emergency
• PHIL 1850: Philosophy of Social Science (formerly PHIL 228)
• PHIL 2851: Philosophy of Economics (formerly PHIL 223)
• PHIL 2430: Global Justice (formerly PHIL 271)
• PHIL 2450: Justice, Law and Morality (formerly PHIL 277)
• PHIL 2431: Contemporary Political Philosophy (formerly PHIL 279) 

Political Science

Political Science Theory Foundation (Choose 1):

• PSCI 0200: Intro to American Politics (formerly PSCI 130)
• PSCI 0601: Modern Political Thought (formerly PSCI 181)
• PSCI 0602: American Political Thought (formerly PSCI 183)
• PSCI 1600: Contemporary Political Thought (formerly PSCI 182)
• PSCI 1606: Freedom, Power, and Equality

Political Science Foundation (Choose 1):

• PSCI 1800: Intro To Data Science (formerly PSCI 107)
• PSCI 0100: Intro to Comparative Politics (formerly PSCI 110)
• PSCI 0400: Intro to International Relations (formerly PSCI 150)
• PSCI 1402: International Political Economy (formerly PSCI 152)
• PSCI 1406: Human Rights (formerly PSCI 258)
• PSCI 1205: American Constitutional Law (formerly PSCI 271)
• PSCI 1206: American Constitutional Law II (formerly PSCI 272)

 Economics

Economics Foundations

• ECON 0100: Introductory Microeconomics (formerly ECON 001)
• ECON 0200: Introductory Macroeconomics (formerly ECON 002)

If the student has AP waivers for ECON 0100 and 0200, any two other ECON classes may be used to fulfill the requirements of the Economics Foundation. If the student is in Wharton, and plans to take Econ 10, then this class may be used in lieu of Econ 0100 and any second class in the Econ department may be used for Econ 0200.

 Psychology

Psychology Foundation (Choose 1):

• PSYC 1440: Social Psychology (formerly PSYC 170)
• PSYC 2737: Judgments and Decisions (formerly PSYC 253)

If above courses are not available, you may choose one of the following:

• BIOL 1110 / PSYC 1210 / NRSC1110: Intro to Brain and Behavior (formerly BIBB 109)
• PSYC 1230 / NRSC 2249: Cognitive Neuroscience (formerly BIBB 249)