Common Foundations

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 0330: Introduction to Moral Philosophy
  • PHIL 0430: Markets and Morality
  • PHIL 1330: Ethics
  • PHIL 1342: Biomedical Ethics
  • PHIL 1343: Environmental Ethics
  • PHIL 1345: Business Ethics
  • PHIL 1430: Political Philosophy
  • PHIL 1450: Philosophy of Law
  • PHIL 1540: Feminist Philosophy
  • PHIL 1571: Repairing the Planet: Tools for the Climate Emergency
  • PHIL 1800: Philosophy of Science
  • PHIL 1850: Philosophy of Social Science
  • PHIL 2430: Global Justice
  • PHIL 2431: Contemporary Political Philosophy
  • PHIL 2450: Justice, Law and Morality
  • PHIL 2620: Introduction to Epistemology and Metaphysics
  • PHIL 2640: Philosophy of Mind
  • PHIL 2851: Philosophy of Economics

Political Science

Political Science Theory Foundation (Choose 1):

  • PSCI 0200: Intro to American Politics
  • PSCI 0600: Ancient Political Thought
  • PSCI 0601: Modern Political Thought
  • PSCI 0602: American Political Thought
  • PSCI 0680: Feminist Pol. Thought
  • PSCI 1600: Contemporary Political Thought
  • PSCI 1606: Freedom, Power, and Equality
  • PSCI 4601: Key Questions in Pol Theory

Political Science Foundation (Choose 1):

  • PSCI 0100: Intro to Comparative Politics
  • PSCI 0101: Comparative Politics of Developing Areas
  • PSCI 0400: Intro to International Relations
  • PSCI 1205: Constitutional Law
  • PSCI 1207: Who Gets Elected and Why? The Science of Politics
  • PSCI 1402: International Political Economy
  • PSCI 1405: America and the World
  • PSCI 1406: Human Rights
  • PSCI 1800: Intro To Data Science

 Economics

Economics Foundations

  • ECON 0100: Introductory Microeconomics
  • ECON 0200: Introductory Macroeconomics

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
  • PSYC 2737: Judgments and Decisions
  • BIOL 1110 / PSYC 1210 / NRSC1110: Intro to Brain and Behavior
  • PSYC 1230 / NRSC 2249: Cognitive Neuroscience