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PH337-15 Principles of Political Economy: Economics & Philosophy

Department
Philosophy
Level
Undergraduate Level 3
Module leader
Ben Ferguson
Credit value
15
Module duration
10 weeks
Assessment
100% coursework
Study location
University of Warwick main campus, Coventry
Introductory description

The module will explore topics at the intersection of moral philosophy and the economic analysis and evaluation of public policy. It covers the following topics: Individual Choice and Rationality Collective Choice and Justice Well-Being and Well-Being Measurement Markets and their Ethical Limitations.

Module aims

The module will explore the philosophical content in the economic analysis and evaluation of public policy.

Outline syllabus

This is an indicative module outline only to give an indication of the sort of topics that may be covered. Actual sessions held may differ.

Topics covered: 1. Normative Decision Theory; 2. Rationality and Moral Evaluation; 3. Collective Choice; 4. Justice; 5. Markets, Freedom and Efficiency; 6. Gains from Trade; 7. Well-Being; 8. Externalities and Public Goods.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the module, students should be able to:

  • Students will show familiarity with key debates at the intersection of economics and philosophy and be able to apply philosophical and economic perspectives to select public policy issues.
Indicative reading list

Refer to online reading list.

View reading list on Talis Aspire

Interdisciplinary

Co-taught by Philosophy and Economics for PPE students only. Designed as part of our bridge model, providing real life context so that students can integrate their studies in the their disciplines and focus on important topics at the intersection of philosophy and economics.

Subject specific skills

A solid knowledge and understanding of:
(i) Philosophy: knowledge and understanding of ethical and philosophical debates.
(ii) Applied Economics: Knowledge and understanding of standard economic models and quantitative techniques with application to contemporary problems arising in public policy and the private sector.
(iii) Research issues: Familiarity with contemporary debates and latest research in some specialised areas of PPE. Evaluate how to approach a problem from the perspective of a contemporary researcher with a PPE background

Transferable skills

An established capacity of:
(i) Analytical thinking, reasoning and application.
(ii) Critical, creative and strategic thinking.
(iii) Abstraction and Problem solving.
(iv) Policy evaluation and the analysis of institutions.

Teaching split

Provider Weighting
Economics 50%
Philosophy 50%

Study time

Type Required
Lectures 9 sessions of 2 hours (12%)
Seminars 8 sessions of 1 hour (5%)
Private study 124 hours (83%)
Total 150 hours
Private study description

Private study time will allow students time to prepare for their seminars and develop their skills to become independent learners.
Through independent reading and discussion with others, students will be exposed to a variety of viewpoints, learn to choose among them, and will be better prepared to develop their own distinctive ideas.

Costs

No further costs have been identified for this module.

You do not need to pass all assessment components to pass the module.

Assessment group A
Weighting Study time
Written Assignment 1 (1500 words) 15%
Written Assignment 2 (2500 words) 85%
Feedback on assessment

Courses

This module is Core optional for:

  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MH Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Philosophy Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MI Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Economics Bipartite (Philosophy Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MJ Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Politics Bipartite (with Intercalated year)

This module is Optional for:

  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of V7MH Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Philosophy Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MF Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Politics Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MI Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Economics Bipartite (Philosophy Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MJ Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Philosophy/Politics Bipartite (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MG Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Politics/Economics Bipartite (Politics Major) (with Intercalated year)

This module is Core option list A for:

  • UPHA-V7ML Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics
    • Year 3 of V7MR Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major)
    • Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
    • Year 3 of V7MP Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite)
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
    • Year 3 of V7ML Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite)
  • UPHA-V7MM Undergraduate Philosophy, Politics and Economics (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of V7MS Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite with Economics Major) (with Intercalated Year)
    • Year 4 of V7MQ Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Bipartite) with Intercalated Year
    • Year 4 of V7MM Philosophy, Politics and Economics (Tripartite) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MF Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Economics/Politics Bipartite (Economics Major) (with Intercalated year)
    • Year 4 of V7MG Philosophy, Politics and Economics - Politics/Economics Bipartite (Politics Major) (with Intercalated year)