The FINANCIAL — LSE has now opened applications for a new, four-year undergraduate PPE degree which starts in October 2015, combining the disciplines of philosophy, politics and economics for the first time, according to the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).
The programme will offer an innovative, interdisciplinary approach by the world’s second ranked social science university to tackling major social and economic issues.
LSE’s BSc in Philosophy, Politics and Economics will differ from many other PPE programs by providing a thorough grounding in all three subjects and extensive training in interdisciplinary problem-solving.
Dr Alex Voorhoeve, Associate Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method at LSE and one of the key academics involved in delivering the new programme, said that students would devote the first three years of the degree to a comprehensive study of each area.
“In years 2 and 3, they will take part in cross-disciplinary research seminars and in the fourth year, students will deepen their knowledge of chosen subjects and take an interdisciplinary course on a series of pressing policy questions, with the option of working with a partnership organisation to apply their knowledge.”
“Our commitment to the sustained, in-depth study of all three disciplines and interdisciplinary study of key social issues sets apart our four-year BSc programme.
“LSE’s PPE programme will make the most of the School’s innovative teaching and assessment methods and students will be located in London’s political, economic and academic heart,” Dr Voorhoeve said.
Students undertaking the programme will tackle some of the following issues:
ethical questions around financial markets;
the best measures of economic and social progress;
the value of democratic institutions;
the limitations of social sciences in the policy making area
All students will get a taste of other subjects, including law, management and social policy, in the first two years through the multidisciplinary LSE100 course (‘Thinking like a Social Scientist’), and can elect to deepen their knowledge in these areas in their final year, according to the London School of Economics and Political Science.