The Philosophy, Politics, & Economics Major

For more information, or if you have questions about the curriculum or particular courses, contact the program coordinator, Dr. Carly Herold, heroldc@geneseo.edu.

Fall 2025 Courses that Count Toward the PPE Major

Program Requirements

Foundational Courses

  • PHIL 130 - Ethics
  • PLSC 140 - International Politics
  • ECON 110 - Introductory Microeconomics
  • ECON 112 - Introductory Macroeconomics
  • ECON 210 - Intermediate Microeconomic Theory or ECON 212 - Intermediate Macroeconomic Theory 

Thematic Areas

Select two courses in any two areas, and one course in the third.

Political Economy

  • PLSC 344 - Climate Change Leadership and Politics
  • PLSC 360 - Developing World Politics
  • PLSC 418 - Constitutional Law
  • PLSC 440 - International Law
  • PLSC 443 - International Organizations
  • PLSC 448 - Politics of International Economic Relations
  • ECON 355 - Economic Development and Growth
  • PLSC 374 - Public Administration
  • PLSC 414 - American Public Policy 

Political Philosophy

  • PLSC 431 - Classical Quest for Justice
  • PHIL 377 - Philosophy of Law
  • PLSC 432 - Liberal Democracy and Its Critics
  • PHIL 359 - Social and Political Philosophy
  • PLSC 436 - The American Founders
  • PLSC 437 - Major Political Philosophers
  • PHIL 300 - Ancient Philosophy
  • PHIL 301 - Modern Philosophy
  • PHIL 420 - Applied Ethics
  • PHIL 430 - Ethical Theory 

Economic Structures

  • ECON 310 - History of Economic Analysis
  • ECON 340 - Environmental Economics
  • ECON 341 - Natural Resource Economics
  • ECON 346 - Health Economics
  • ECON 350 - Law and Economics
  • ECON 355 - Economic Development and Growth
  • ECON 356 - Women and the Economy
  • ECON 364 - International Trade and Economic Policy
  • ECON 365 - International Macroeconomics
  • ECON 370 - Industrial Organization
  • ECON 376 - Labor Economics
  • PLSC 448 - Politics of International Economic Relations

Quantitative Research Methods

Select one

  • PLSC 251 - Modern Political Analysis
  • ECON 205 - Business and Economic Statistics 

Seminar

Select one

  • PPEC 497 - Seminar I
  • PPEC 498 - Seminar II

Electives

Students must take two electives. 

  • Electives may come from the list below or from any of the courses in the "Thematic Areas" (but they may not double count).
  • One elective may come from outside of the three home departments (PHIL, PLSC, ECON).
  • One elective may be 100 level.
  • One elective may be an Integrative and Applied Learning experience (for example, internship, study abroad, directed study). 
     
  • ECON 305 - Quantitative Methods Credit(s): 3 or MGMT 305 - Quantitative Methods
  • PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy
  • PHIL 200 - Law, Morality, & War
  • PHIL 201 - Environmental Ethics
  • PHIL 202 - World Religions & Contemporary Issues
  • PHIL 204 - Feminist Philosophy
  • PHIL 208 - Philosophy of Race
  • PHIL 216 - Reasoning and the Law
  • PHIL 236 - Medicine and Morality
  • PHIL 237 - Ethical Issues in Business
  • PHIL 399 - Directed Study
  • PLSC 120 - Comparative Politics
  • PLSC 130 - Political Theory
  • PLSC 375 - Politics of Judicial Process
  • PLSC 399 - Directed Study
  • PLSC 412 - American Social Welfare Policy
  • PLSC 419 - Constitutional Rights and Liberties
  • PLSC 441 - Democracy and International Relations
  • PSYC 350 - Social Psychology
  • PSYC 385 - Cross-Cultural Psychology
  • SOCL 105 - Introduction to Global Social Change
  • SOCL 325 - Global Social Change
  • SOCL 340 - Social Movements
  • SOCL 354 - Political Sociology 

Note

Students must complete a minimum of 9 credits in each of Philosophy, Political Science, and Economics.

Related Requirement

  • MATH 213 - Applied Calculus or MATH 221 - Calculus 1