2024-2025 Academic Catalog
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Welcome to Virginia Tech! We are excited that you are here planning your time as a Hokie.
Discussion of classic and contemporary texts in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE) with historical and current relevance. Core concepts, ideas, and topics include: history of moral, political, and economic thought; political economy; justice, equality, fairness, and democracy; socioeconomic status, power, class, and diversity; the human condition and its cultural evolution and experience in the United States and abroad. Course introduces students to basic principles of research and writing. First-Year Experience course.
Economic analysis of topics concerning diversity and inclusion. Emphasis on Virginia and surrounding states. Introduction to the basic principles of economic analysis and economic history, with a special emphasis on models of institutional change, economic growth, discrimination, inequality, migration, and indigenous economic systems. Impact of institutions, environment, and technological change on labor markets, asset markets, and standard of living. Consideration of the role of data in understanding diversity and related ethical issues.
Introduction to research in political science; formulation of theory, operationalization and measurement, gathering, analysis and interpretation of data.
Integrated study of philosophy, politics, and economics. Trains students to make decisions that are not only economically sound, but also socially, ethically, and politically informed. Core concepts, topics, and ideas include: models of human nature, rational choice theory, social cooperation, distributive justice, markets, and democracy. Pre: Sophomore standing.
Analysis of the fundamental ideas in the history of political theory. 3015: The thought and ethical implications of philosophers from the ancient Greeks to early modern times. Analysis of writings from Plato through medieval theorists to those of the Seventeenth Century. 3016: The thought and ethical implications of philosophers from the late Seventeenth Century to the present. Analysis of key concepts in the thought of theorists from the early modern period until the present.
This course explores how different assumptions regarding the basis of claims for access to economic resources lead to different outcomes. Students will explore a variety of theories and examine their own beliefs about economic justice.
Careful examination of some important historical or contemporary ethical theories. Includes coverage of such topics as the assessment of character and action, the foundations of ethical theories, their justification, their relationship to scientific theories, and their objective or subjective status. 3 Philosophy credits required.
Topics-based course in philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE). Discussion of important topics and thinkers in PPE with historical and practical relevance. Focus on interdisciplinary analysis and methods. Topics include: limits of markets; well-being theory, science, and policy; socioeconomic justice; economic and political institutions; and global poverty. May be repeated 1 time with different content for a maximum of six credits hours. Pre: 3 credit hours in PPE, PHIL, PSCI, or ECON.
Application of academic knowledge and skills to in a work-based experience aligned with post-graduation goals using research-based learning processes. Satisfactory completion of work-based experience often in the form of internship, undergraduate research, co-op, or study abroad; self-evaluation; reflection; and showcase of learning. Pre: Departmental approval of 3900 plan.
Study of fundamental topics in political philosophy, such as distributive justice, equality, individual rights, constitutional government, and the justification of political authority. 3 Philosophy credits required.
Discussion of advanced concepts, methods, and ideas at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics. Focus on utility theory, game theory, social choice theory, public choice theory, markets, justice, and democracy. Senior research project. Senior standing required.
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