Philosophy, Politics and Economics major
Very many important issues – climate change, healthcare, political participation, taxation and much more besides – have philosophical, political, and economic dimensions. UWA's Philosophy, Politics and Economics extended major is a challenging and rigorous programme which equips students to engage with such issues from an interdisciplinary perspective. Students receive a thorough grounding in each of the three disciplines, and will examine the ways in which insights from each area of study can fruitfully inform scholarship in the others. Students will also study the intertwined history of philosophy, politics, and economics, and develop invaluable critical thinking and analytical skills essential for success in the modern workplace.
This page is for students in the Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics, and Economics. Students who commenced the Bachelor of Arts prior to 2021 should refer to the Handbook for the original MJD-PPECN">Philosophy, Politics and Economics Major.
Outcomes
Students are able to (1) explain the foundations of philosophy, political science, and economics; (2) demonstrate an understanding of the intertwined history of philosophy, political science, and economics; (3) apply insights from philosophy, politics, and economics to important social questions such as climate change, inequality, and distributive justice; (4) critically review assumptions underpinning philosophical, political and/or economic viewpoints on important social questions such as climate change, inequality, and distributive justice; (5) demonstrate sound research skills and written and oral communication skills; and (6) demonstrate valuable analytical and critical thinking skills.
Broadening guidelines
All students studying towards a Bachelor's Degree at UWA are required to Broaden their studies by completing a minimum of four units (24 points) of study outside their degree specific major. Broadening is your opportunity to explore other areas of interest, investigate new disciplines and knowledge paradigms and to shape your degree to suit your own aspirations and interests. Many of you will be able to undertake more than this minimum amount of broadening study and we encourage you to do so if this suits your aspirations. Over the next few months you will find here some broadening suggestions related to your degree-specific major. While we know that many students value guidance of this sort, these are only suggestions and students should not lose sight of the opportunity to explore that is afforded by your Broadening Choices. Advice can also be sought from your Allocated Student Advising Office.
Philosophy, Politics and Economics can only be taken as a degree-specific major in the following degree courses:
BP012 Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
BH005 Bachelor of Philosophy (Honours)
Overview of unit sequence
Philosophy, Politics and Economics is a degree-specific double major comprising:
- four Level 1 units
- seven Level 2 units
- seven Level 3 units
| Key to availability of units: |
|---|
| S1 = Semester 1; S2 = Semester 2; SS = summer teaching period; N/A = not available in 2021 |
Note: Units that are indicated as N/A may be available in 2022 or 2023.
Level 1
Take all units (24 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1, S2 | ECON1101 | Microeconomics: Prices and Markets | |
| S1, S2 | ECON1102 | Macroeconomics: Money and Finance | |
| S1, SS | PHIL1002 | Introduction to Critical Thinking |
|
| S1 | POLS1101 | Understanding Politics and Policy |
Level 2
Take all units (30 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ECON2105 | Rise of the Global Economy | |
| S1, SS | ECON2233 | Microeconomics: Policy and Applications |
|
| S1 | PHIL2001 | Bioethics |
|
| N/A | PPHE2001 | Integrating Philosophy, Politics, and Economics: The Philosophy of Economics and Political Science |
|
| S1 | PPHE2211 | History of Political Ideas |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| SS | PHIL2002 | Logic: How to Defeat Your Foes with Reasoning |
|
| S1 | PHIL2005 | Exploring the Nature of Science |
|
| S2 | PHIL2007 | Knowledge and the Justification of Belief |
|
| N/A | PHIL2009 | Global and Environmental Justice |
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | POLS2201 | Foundations of Public Policy |
|
| S2 | POLS2202 | Foundations of Comparative Politics |
|
| S2 | POLS2220 | Foundations of Global Political Economy |
|
Level 3
Take all units (18 points):
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | PHIL3003 | Moral Theory |
|
| S2 | PPHE3001 | Integrating Philosophy, Politics and Economics: Rational Choice |
|
| S1 | PPHE3327 | Contemporary Political Theory |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S1 | ECON3310 | History of Economic Ideas |
|
| S2 | ECON3395 | Economic Policy |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 12 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| N/A | POLS3204 | The Politics of Gender |
|
| S1 | POLS3231 | Politics of the Mass Media |
|
| N/A | POLS3335 | Social Movements and the Politics of Change |
|
| S2 | POLS3342 | Global Environmental Politics |
|
Take unit(s) to the value of 6 points:
| Availability | Unit code | Unit name | unit requirements |
|---|---|---|---|
| S2 | ECON3301 | Game Theory and Strategic Thinking |
|
| S1 | PHIL3008 | What to Do? How to Make Rational Decisions under Uncertainty |
|
Choosing your degree-specific major
Specialised degrees – Bachelor of Advanced Computer Science (Honours), Bachelor of Automation and Robotics, Bachelor of Environmental Design, Bachelor of Music
You must satisfy the requirements of the degree-specific major in your degree before you complete your course.
Bachelor of Philosophy, Politics and Economics
This comprehensive degree does not allow you to choose a double major.
General degrees
You must satisfy the requirements of a degree-specific major before you complete your course. The flexible structure of an undergraduate course allows you to try out a number of different subjects to see what interests you before nominating your degree-specific major. You have the choice to either nominate your degree-specific major when you first enrol in the course or delay nominating it until your second year.
To plan the first year of your study without nominating a degree-specific major, you are advised to choose units that will pave the way to two or more degree-specific majors that are of interest to you. For examples of the choice of units available in first year, search the first-year study plans .
To fully understand the structure of an undergraduate course, read the course structure information and the Undergraduate Degree Course Rules.
There are more choices open to you. For more examples, search the study plans .