Philosophy, politics and economics - creating diverse opportunities

May 2011

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Based on the highly-renowned degree program available at Oxford University—the same university that produced twenty-six of Britain’s prime ministers and over thirty world leaders—the Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) Program offered by the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Science at UBC’s Okanagan campus was designed to give students the training to choose freely from many different career paths—law school, journalism, and public activism to name a few.

At the same time, the PPE program provides students with the education and experience necessary to confront a variety of political issues at both the local and international level.

According to Dr. Barrie McCullough, associate professor of political science, the program encourages students to become actively engaged with the ideas, notions, principles, and concepts in philosophy, politics, and economics, applying them to issues associated with Canadian public policy.

But the applicability of the PPE program also offers students the opportunity to focus on a wider realm of issues.  Students will be prepared to tackle questions ranging from marine pollution and endangered species to concerns about the Canada Health Act, free trade within Canada, first nations land claims, and constitutional reform of the Senate.

And it is precisely this preparation for a number of different career opportunities that has made PPE an increasingly popular choice for students.

“The program has been successful,” says Dr. McCullough. “Students are pleased with the quality of education that they get. I think it is a very good degree for any student who treats it seriously.”

In first and second year, students are required to take thirty common credits.  In third year, students choose from four different options of study, allowing them to focus on a particular section of interest—philosophy, economics, political science or law.  In fourth year, students take the directed studies course in their area of focused study.  This requires each student to pick a supervisor and a public policy issue to research and write an essay on.

And who knows?  Perhaps graduates of the UBC program will follow in the tradition of Oxford graduates, producing successful and influential world leaders too.

Philosophy, Politics, and Economics (PPE) is part of Unit 8 in the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences.  Other programs offered through Unit 8 include: Economics, International Relations, Philosophy, and Political Science.  For more information on programs offered by the Irving K. Barber School of Arts and Sciences, visit: http://www.ubc.ca/okanagan/ikbarberschool/welcome.html.

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