Philosophy, Politics, Ethics

Philosophy is concerned with understanding and evaluating the world. Students on our degree examine today’s global challenges, from climate change, war and AI, to inequality, racism and colonialism.

Taught by experts and learning in small seminar groups, you will investigate the assumptions, beliefs and values that shape human behaviour and societies, gaining a critical understanding of the political and ethical issues facing our increasingly interconnected and divided world.

You will develop skills in public-speaking, group work, research, and critical analysis. You’ll learn how to think, read, and write with greater clarity and skill, and how to speak with greater authority and confidence.

Our PPE degree opens up many career opportunities in sectors including publishing, NGOs, civil service, teaching, law and media.

TOP REASONS TO CHOOSE THIS COURSE

• An intellectual adventure with real-world application: you'll be encouraged to apply theoretical approaches to real-world issues, preparing you to address contemporary global challenges.

• Expert staff: your teaching team includes academics who develop leading research as part of the Centre for Applied Philosophy, Politics and Ethics.

• Transferable skills: you'll develop knowledge and skills that will help you to achieve your goals, whether in a career or as a citizen.

• Small group assessed seminars: a distinctive feature of this course is its focus on verbal communication, helping you to develop your capacity to discuss and debate ideas, and to speak confidently and clearly in public. Group and individual presentations feature prominently in seminar work and our final year project includes an oral presentation.

• Gain work experience: you have the opportunity to take a placement in year 2 enabling you to put your skills and knowledge into action.

• An interdisciplinary approach: by drawing on, and combining, various disciplines to understand topics you will develop a deep and multilayered approach to contemporary issues.

• An engaging curriculum: our curriculum is designed to be both challenging and stimulating, with a mix of lectures, seminars, debates and collaborative projects. There are no written exams.

• Join a vibrant community: our student and academic community is friendly and diverse. Students are encouraged to join reading groups and attend public lectures and workshops with visiting researchers, politicians, activists and writers

Course Modules

Year 1
Philosophical Inquiry
Democracy
Globalisation, Conflict and the Environment
The Politics of Representation
Historical Inquiry
Studying Cultures

Year 2
Critical Traditions in Western Thought 1 and 2

Specialist option pathways
Self and Society
Morality, Politics and the Good Life
Politics-History-Ideology
Race and Resistance
Philosophy and Literature

Option pathways from wider humanities subject area
Contemporary Global Challenges
Global Politics
Globalisation, History and Identity
Radical Histories

Optional Placement Year

Final year
Dissertation
Specialist option pathways
Self and Society
Morality, Politics and the Good Life
Race and Resistance
Philosophy and Literature

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.