Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

The course information on this page is for new students commencing their degree in 2016 only. 

Students should follow the rules and requirements for the year that they commenced their course. The online course information for years prior to 2016 are available from the Archives link in the menu.

Students should also review current subject availabilities via the Subject Descriptions link in the menu.

*Students eligible for credit transfer may begin in Summer Session if appropriate subjects are available.

Overview

The Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (BPPE) is specifically designed to provide high level training and skills necessary for a successful career in the public service or politics.

A cross-disciplinary degree, the BPPE affords students an appreciation of the political, ethical and economic perspectives needed to make a contribution to solving a range of problems confronting contemporary society. In particular, students will learn to interpret and apply complex economic ideas and data, understand political organisations and policy making processes, and develop a broader philosophical lens for understanding systems of government, popular movements and alternative forms of political organisation and behaviour.

Students will develop a broad knowledge base across all three discipline areas by studying core and elective subjects.  They will deepen their knowledge in at least one of these areas through a major field of study. A BPPE capstone subject allows students to bring the key concepts from all three disciplines together into a coherent whole through in-depth exploration of contemporary political and social scenarios.

Entry Requirements

Academic requirements and English requirements are available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Students graduating from the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics will be able to:

1. Identify and evaluate key methods and concepts in the academic disciplines of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
2. Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships between the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and the points at which their key methods and concepts diverge
3. Apply the theories of each discipline to analysis of practical questions and problems
4. Communicate ideas and arguments related to Politics, Philosophy and Economics with diverse audiences and communities
5. Understand, interpret and apply qualitative and quantitative social science research methods in the investigation of political, philosophical and economics issues 

Course Structure

To qualify for the award of the degree of Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics a student must complete a total of at least 144 credit points from subjects listed in the Course Structure for the degree and other subjects as approved by the Faculty as outlined in the table below.

Core Requirements of the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics 

Note:

A number of 200 and 300 level subjects have “First offered 2017” or “First offered 2018”recorded in the session of offer. This note means that these 200 and 300 level subjects have been reviewed and that the first time these new versions may be offered is 2017 for 200 level or 2018 for 300 level. However, some subjects are not on offer every year, therefore it is possible that the new 200 level version of the subject may therefore be run in 2018 or later, rather than 2017. Similarly for the new 300 level versions of subjects.

The following:

Politics

The discipline of Politics is an exciting, vibrant and constantly changing body of ideas, approaches and methods. The Politics program offers subjects in international relations, Australian politics, political theory, comparative politics, the politics of developing countries, public policy, culture and media. Students are advised to study as broadly as possible across the areas offered by the discipline.

The purpose of the major is to acquaint students with key areas of Politics as a discipline. Political study involves examining the origins and nature of consent, authority, and consensus, which underpin social order. Many factors are covered in this examination; political institutions, political economy, culture, class, gender and ethnicity. Politics can and does occur at many levels, from international relations to the nation state, from local communities to the individual. The study of politics is not just to do with politics in the here and now, but concerns itself with both the past and the future. Whether it is a country being studied, relations between countries, or a body of political ideas, politics engages us with choices about how to live life and how best to contribute to society.

Major Study

To qualify for a major study in Politics, students must complete the core requirements for Politics (24 credit points) within the BPPE-and then a further 24 credit points of 200 and 300 level subjects. Subjects are to be selected from the list below, with a minimum of 12 credit points at 300 level.

Philosophy

Philosophy engages with the most fundamental questions, and puts you into dialogue with the greatest thinkers who have ever tried to answer them. It asks: What is the good life? Is Happiness the main goal of life? How should we treat others and the environment? What makes an action morally good? How should we understand human existence? Do our lives have meaning? How does consciousness fit in nature? What is knowledge? Can we know anything with certainty? Does science aim at truth? What is life? Is artificial life possible? What is social justice? Which rights matter in a fair society? Should the rich help the poor?

By studying philosophy you will improve your analytic reasoning skills, broaden and deepen your understanding of foundational topics, and learn how to respect and value diverse points of view.  You will acquire skills in independent thinking and gain experience in analysing and carefully assessing arguments and ideas.  These are highly marketable graduate qualities, sought after by employers.

Major areas of study at UOW include: ethics; phenomenology and existentialism; metaphysics; philosophy of mind; philosophy of language; philosophy of science; political philosophy and theory of knowledge.

Major Study

For a major study in Philosophy, students must complete the core requirements for Philosophy (24 credit points) plus an additional 24 credit points of 200 and 300 level subjects. Subjects are to be selected from the table below, and the following conditions are to be met.

Conditions:

Students electing to do a major in Philosophy must complete PHIL107 (Introduction to Philosophy), PHIL218 (Ethics), PHIL219 (Knowledge and Explanation) and PHIL304 (Great Thinkers).

Students may have completed PHIL219 (Knowledge and Explanation) and/or PHIL304 (Great Thinkers) under the program of study for BPPE for Philosophy. Students who have not completed either or both of these subjects under the core requirements for Philosophy will need to complete the subject(s) they have not yet undertaken as part of their major.

To meet major requirements, students must complete 24 credit points at 300 level.

Economics

Economics provides an understanding of the operation of the economy at macro and micro levels. These include modern business, health care, the environment, the labour market, national economic policy and international monetary issues. You will learn general principles and tools which can be applied to a wide range of issues affecting the national and international economy. You will discuss the big issues including unemployment, the level of national debt, the existence of poverty and the problems confronting developing countries. You will study the three major components of Economics:

Macroeconomics, which focuses on the way the whole economy functions, examining issues such as economic growth, unemployment and interest rates.

Microeconomics, which focuses on the behaviour of individual components of the whole economy, such as consumers, companies, trade unions, employers' associations and the various levels of government.

Quantitative Methods, which focuses on quantitative and mathematical techniques and their application to business economics.

Major Study

Students electing to do a major in Economics must complete ECON205 (Macroeconomic Theory and Policy) and ECON215 (Microeconomic Theory and Policy). Students will have completed either ECON205 or ECON215 as part of the core requirements for Economics. As a requirement of the major, they will need to complete the subject they have not yet undertaken.

Students must complete a further 24 credit points of 200 and 300 level Economics subjects as listed below.

Dean's Scholar Degree

In January of each year, the Faculty invites applications from high achieving students to apply to transfer into the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Dean's Scholar) Degree.

Selection Criteria

To be eligible to apply for a place in the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Dean's Scholar) Degree, applicants would normally meet the following criteria:

• Currently enrolled in the BPPE, BA (Course Code 702) or any other degree;
• Full-time student;
• Have successfully completed two full sessions of study or 8 subjects;
• Have a WAM (weighted average mark) of at least 82.
• For more information including the full list of Dean's Scholar Degrees and how to apply online, visit the LHA Dean's Scholar website.

Credit Arrangements

Credit and articulation arrangements are available from the Course Finder. Refer to UOW's credit arrangements for information on how to apply for credit.

Other Information

Further information is available at:
UOW Course Finder
Email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au