The PPE foundations courses introduce students to basic ideas and concepts in three areas of study: formal reasoning, normative reasoning, and economics and political economy.
Formal Reasoning
Economics/International Studies 3400: Analysis & Display of Data
Introduction to the analysis of data. Topics include sampling, data collection, probability, inference, random variables, display of data, correlation, and analysis of variance.
Political Science 3780 (H): Data Literacy & Data Visualization
Introduction to the tools of data analysis in political science, with an emphasis on data visualization.
Economics 5001: Game Theory in Economics
Analysis of behavior in strategic situations - when a person or firm's best action depends on what others do.
Philosophy 2500: Symbolic Logic
A formal presentation of the elements of modern deductive logic; decision and proof procedures in sentential logic and functional logic.
Philosophy 2540: Introduction to the Philosophy of Rational Choice
Introduction to the principles and methods of the theory of rational choice with applications in the theory of knowledge, ethics, and social and political philosophy.
Political Science 3500: Political Games: Rational Choice Theory and the Study of Politics
Are political outcomes and institutions the result of decision-making by rational, self-interested political actors? This course explores how the assumption of individual rationality has shaped the field of political science.
Political Science 4553 (H): Game Theory for Political Scientists
Provides entry-level understanding of the basic concepts of game theory and how these concepts are applied to the study of political phenomena.
Normative Reasoning
Philosophy 3300: Moral Philosophy
A rigorous examination of major issues in moral philosophy, such as the basic moral value(s); the relation between value and obligation; justification of moral judgment.
Philosophy 2400: Political and Social Philosophy
Philosophical bases of social and political institutions and practices; analysis of such fundamental conceptions as rights, justice, equality, political obligation, and civil disobedience.
Political Science 2400 (H): Introduction to Political Theory
An introduction to the field of political theory through classic and contemporary texts and selected case studies.
Economics & Political Economy
Economics 2001.01: Principles of Microeconomics
Introduction to economic theory: supply and demand for goods, services, and factor inputs; market structure; international trade, the distribution of income. First required course for students planning to take 4000-level courses in Economics.
Economics 2001.03H: Principles of Microeconomics
An advanced introduction to economic theory: supply and demand for goods, services, and factor inputs; market structure; international trade, the distribution of income. First required course for students planning to take 4000-level courses in Economics.
Economics 2002.01: Principles of Macroeconomics
Introduction to the theory of national income determination; economic fluctuations; money; government policy; international economics.
Economics 2002.03H: Principles of Macroeconomics
An advanced introduction to the theory of national income determination; economic fluctuations; money; government policy; international economics.
Political Science 3280: The Politics of Markets
Introduction to comparative political economy; relations between the state and the economy, politics and markets, and democracy and capitalism; the consequences of state intervention.
Political Science 3380: Political Analysis of International Economic Relations
Examines the relationship between political and economic events in the international system; topics include global interdependence, inequality, scarce resources, and periphery nation strategies.
Political Science 4381: Comparative International Political Economy
A survey of foreign economic policies followed by European and other advanced industrial economies since the Napoleonic Wars, with a special emphasis on Britain, France, Germany, the United States, and Japan.