Philosophy, Politics and Economics with a Year in Industry BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The Philosophy, Politics, and Economics with a Year in Industry BA (Hons) program at the University of Liverpool is a four-year degree that equips students with critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills in three interconnected disciplines. It provides a broad grounding in the fields and a year of practical experience in industry. Through this comprehensive curriculum, graduates become well-prepared for a variety of careers that demand these core competencies.

Program Outline

Philosophy, Politics and Economics with a Year in Industry BA (Hons) - University of Liverpool

Degree Overview:

This program offers the same content as the three-year BA in Philosophy, Politics and Economics, but with the addition of a year in industry after the second year.

Objectives:

• Master the overlap of the three disciplines (Philosophy, Politics, and Economics).
• Gain expertise in specialisms within each discipline.
• Achieve a thorough grounding in mathematical economics.
• Develop skills in identifying and evaluating the principles and values underlying debates.

Description:

The program is designed to provide students with a broad understanding of the interconnectedness of philosophy, politics, and economics. It equips them with the knowledge and skills necessary to analyze complex issues and contribute to public life and policy. The year in industry provides practical experience, allowing students to apply their academic knowledge to real-world situations and develop key employability skills.

Outline:

Year One:

• Compulsory Modules:
• FOUNDATIONS IN POLITICS (POLI109): Provides a critical introduction to political concepts like power, the state, and legitimacy, developing essay writing and research skills.
• MATHEMATICAL ECONOMICS (ECON113): Introduces techniques of proof and mathematical methods, preparing students for Year 2 Mathematical Economics II.
• PHILOSOPHY TOOLKIT (PHIL105): Develops key skills for studying philosophy, including identifying arguments, evaluating arguments, and writing persuasively.
• POLITICAL PHILOSOPHY (PHIL102): Introduces main arguments and theories in the history of Western political philosophy, enhancing students' ability to analyze political arguments.
• PRINCIPLES OF MACROECONOMICS (ECON123): Complements Principles of Microeconomics, introducing concepts and theories to understand changes in the macroeconomic environment.
• PRINCIPLES OF MICROECONOMICS (ECON121): Introduces neo-classical microeconomics, equipping students with knowledge and tools for fundamental problems in microeconomic analysis.
• Statistics & Data Analysis for Economics and Business (ECON112): Provides an understanding of how statistics operates in Business and Economics, covering statistical analysis, probability, and variables.

Year Two:

• Compulsory Modules:
• BUSINESS ETHICS (PHIL272):
Deals with business ethics and social responsibility, helping students identify and manage ethical dilemmas.
• MACROECONOMICS 1 (ECON223): Introduces classic macroeconomic issues like growth, inflation, and unemployment, providing a framework for analyzing government policies.
• MACROECONOMICS 2 (ECON224): Extends the study of macroeconomic theory, analyzing business-cycle fluctuations using real business cycle and new Keynesian models.
• MICROECONOMICS 1 (ECON221): Introduces the functions of individual decision-makers, covering consumer theory, producer theory, and general equilibrium.
• MICROECONOMICS 2 (ECON222): Introduces game theory, asymmetric information, and welfare economics.
• Professional and Career Development (SOTA260): Prepares students for a work placement year, developing lifelong skills and supporting their professional development.
• Optional Modules:
• AMERICAN POLITICS AND SOCIETY (POLI205):
Examines the governing institutions and processes of the US federal government.
• ASPECTS OF MEDIA AND POLITICS (POLI208): Covers the media's relationship to politics, focusing on Britain.
• BRITISH POLITICAL IDEOLOGIES (POLI237): Analyzes major ideologies in British politics and their impact on society since 1945.
• BRITISH PARTY POLITICS (POLI239): Explores British political parties and the party system, examining party structure, electoral strategy, and ideology.
• COMPARATIVE POLITICS OF THE MIDDLE EAST AND NORTH AFRICA (POLI215): Provides tools to analyze the region's politics, engaging with key concepts and debates.
• SECURITY IN A GLOBALISED WORLD (POLI231): Analyzes security in international relations and its challenges in a globalized world.

Year Three:

• Compulsory Module:
• Work Placement Year (SOTA600):
Students spend the year on a paid placement within an organization in a related industry, gaining practical experience and deepening their academic understanding.

Year Four:

• Compulsory Module:
• Philosophy, Politics and Economics Dissertation (HASS301):
Students conduct independent research on a topic at the interface of two or more disciplines, developing their research and writing skills.
• Optional Modules:
• ADVANCED MACROECONOMICS (ECON343):
Considers advanced macroeconomic topics like economic growth, recessions, unemployment, and inflation.
• ADVANCED MICROECONOMICS (ECON342): Focuses on the study of asymmetric information environments in microeconomic theory.
• AESTHETICS (PHIL316): Examines central themes of aesthetics and art theory, including aesthetic judgment, experience, and value.
• CLASSICAL CHINESE PHILOSOPHY (PHIL367): Introduces students to ideas formulated during the classical period of Chinese philosophy, focusing on the Daoist and Confucian schools.
• COMPETITION AND REGULATION (ECON337): Provides knowledge of competition issues in the business environment, including regulatory policy and its application.
• CREATIVE SECTOR ECONOMICS (ECON362): Explores the application of economic theory in the creative sector, examining markets and industries like fine arts, music, and broadcasting.
• Digital Inquiry Project (PHIL311): Students conduct an independent research project and present their findings to a specific audience using a digital platform.
• FRONTIERS OF ETHICS (PHIL302): Examines theories and arguments in debates about issues that raise problems for traditional ethics, such as disability, humanitarian intervention, and global justice.
• GAME THEORY (ECON322): Introduces game theory, studying strategic interactions and applying it to market competition, auctions, and bargaining.
• GENDER AND GLOBAL POLITICS (POLI349): Provides alternative perspectives on global politics, drawing on feminist theory and gender analysis, with a focus on conflict and peace.
• Health Care, Economics and Justice (PHIL366): Covers normative issues surrounding the delivery of health care, discussing the purpose of health care, just allocation of resources, and health inequalities.
• INDUSTRIAL ORGANISATION (ECON333): Analyzes firms and industries, focusing on how well consumers are being served by particular industry structures and firm actions.
• LAW AND ECONOMICS (ECON360): Examines the intersection of law and economics, exploring how legal rules affect economic behavior.
• MEDIA, POLITICS AND CLIMATE CHANGE (POLI345): Analyzes how media engage with climate change and energy security, examining the political and social implications.
• PHILOSOPHICAL APPROACHES TO CONFLICT (PHIL365): Explores philosophical issues at stake when rights or interests clash, examining topics like freedom, oppression, and the ethics of immigration.
• PHILOSOPHY OF THE FUTURE (PHIL312): Focuses on the philosophical implications of likely future technological developments, examining topics like human enhancement, artificial intelligence, and time travel.
• POLITICS OF DEVELOPMENT (POLI314): Critically engages with the concept of "good governance" in relation to economic development, examining the role of the state, democracy, and corruption.
• PUBLIC POLICY: AN ADVANCED INTRODUCTION (POLI310): Explores theories, ideas, and concepts that underpin the development of contemporary public policies.
• THE CHANGING FACES OF AFRICAN POLITICS (POLI329): Introduces students to African politicians and thinkers, encouraging critical reflection on African politics and its historical context.
• THE ECONOMICS OF DEVELOPING COUNTRIES (ECON306): Introduces conceptual and methodological issues in international development, providing a grounding in models of economic growth and development.
• THE MEDIA, THE INTERNET AND POLITICAL SCIENCE (POLI319): Covers contemporary mass media and their role in power structures, examining topics like political mobilization and public relations.
• THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF RHETORIC IN BRITISH POLITICS (POLI323): Examines the rhetoric of British political parties, using classical and contemporary approaches to discourse analysis.

Assessment:

• Philosophy: Employs a mixture of assessment methods, including exams, essays, oral presentations, dissertations, exercises, and supported independent work.
• Other Disciplines: Assessment methods vary depending on the specific module, but may include exams, essays, presentations, case studies, and research projects.

Teaching:

• Philosophy: Learning occurs through attending lectures, reading philosophical texts, participating in group seminars, and completing coursework.
• Other Disciplines: Teaching methods may include lectures, seminars, workshops, online support materials, and group projects.

Careers:

• Potential Career Paths:
• Advertising and marketing
• Arts, broadcasting, and journalism
• Commerce and management
• Civil service, law, and politics
• Teaching
• Opportunities: The program provides students with a strong foundation for a variety of careers, equipping them with critical thinking, analytical, and communication skills.
• Outcomes: Graduates are well-prepared for roles that require a deep understanding of complex issues, strong analytical skills, and the ability to communicate effectively.

Other:

• Liverpool Hallmarks: The University of Liverpool's curriculum framework emphasizes research-connected teaching, active learning, and authentic assessment, ensuring graduates are digitally fluent and confident global citizens.
• Why Study Philosophy at Liverpool: The Department of Philosophy offers a stimulating environment for critical thinking, with a long history of research excellence and a focus on innovative work at the frontiers of the discipline.
• Student Testimonials: Students highlight the interdisciplinary nature of the program, the diverse cultures in Liverpool, and the opportunities for applying knowledge across subjects.

UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland) Full-time place, per year £9,250 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £1,385 International fees Full-time place, per year £22,400 Year in industry fee £1,850 Year abroad fee £11,200 Fees shown are for the academic year 2024/25. Please note that the Year Abroad fee also applies to the Year in China. Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching and assessment, operating facilities such as libraries, IT equipment, and access to academic and personal support. Additional costs This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.