Open University

BA (Honours) in Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Knowledge and Understanding

When you have completed this degree, you will have knowledge and understanding of the following:

• Key concepts, ideas, and theories from the disciplines of politics, philosophy, and economics.
• Key contemporary debates in the disciplines of politics, philosophy, and economics, particularly as they apply to our understanding of the contemporary social world.
• The role of debates in politics, philosophy, and economics in shaping contemporary ethical, political, and social issues.
• How theoretical debates about contemporary society are constructed, developed, and evaluated.

Cognitive Skills

You will be able to:

• Use concepts from politics, philosophy, and economics to develop analyses of social problems and issues.
• Analyze, compare, and evaluate different theoretical approaches, understanding how different approaches work to highlight and explain different aspects of society.
• Understand, evaluate, and manipulate information presented through primary sources, textual analysis, statistical tables, and mathematical representations.
• Recognize the ambiguities inherent in knowledge, recognize the contested and contingent nature of social knowledge, and show awareness and understanding of the grounds for the contingent and contested nature of social knowledge.

Practical or Professional Skills

You will be able to:

• Critically reflect upon the information presented to you.
• Appraise, monitor, and reflect constructively on your own developing understanding of new data and new explanations.
• Plan workload and meet deadlines under increasing levels of pressure.
• Work independently to analyze a research question using quantitative or qualitative data.

Key Skills

You will be able to:

• Construct a logical argument and identify flaws in an argument.
• Select, interpret, and synthesize data from a range of sources, including qualitative and quantitative data, and evaluate its significance.
• Present information (usually in written format) which is coherently organized and effectively communicates complex ideas.
• Search for information independently, often using IT tools, and integrate this information/data within established understandings or show how it challenges them.

This degree has three stages, each comprising 120 credits.

• At Stage 1 you’ll choose among three optional modules before completing the stage with a compulsory module that will introduce you to studying politics.
• Next, in Stage 2, you’ll study two further compulsory modules, one in each of economics and philosophy.
• Finally, in Stage 3, you’ll focus on any two of the three PPE subjects.

Stage 1 (120 credits)

You'll choose 60 credits from the following:

• Global challenges: social science in action (D113)
• Economics in Context (DD126)
• You and your money (DB125)

You'll complete Stage 1 with:

• Understanding politics: ideas and institutions in the modern world (DD211)

Stage 2 (120 credits)

You'll study both of the following:

• Investigating philosophy (DA223)
• Essential economics: macro and micro perspectives (D217)

Stage 3 (120 credits)

You’ll choose two from three PPE subjects:

Politics (choose one of these modules)

• International relations: continuity and change in global politics (DD313)
• Modern political ideas (DD316)

Philosophy

• Key questions in philosophy (A333)

Economics

• Doing economics: people, markets and policy (DD309)

Assessment

Our assessments are all designed to reinforce your learning and help you show your understanding of the topics. The mix of assessment methods will vary between modules.

Computer-Marked Assignments

• Usually, a series of online, multiple-choice questions.

Tutor-Marked Assignments

• You’ll have a number of these throughout each module, each with a submission deadline.
• They can be made up of essays, questions, experiments or something else to test your understanding of what you have learned.
• Your tutor will mark and return them to you with detailed feedback.

End-of-Module Assessments

• The final, marked piece of work on most modules.
• Modules with an end-of-module assessment won’t usually have an exam.

Exams

• Some modules end with an exam. You’ll be given time to revise and prepare.
• You’ll be given your exam date at least 5 months in advance.
• Most exams take place remotely, and you will complete them at home or an alternative location.
• If a module requires you to take a face-to-face exam, this will be made clear in the module description, and you will be required to take your exam in person at one of our exam centres.

Skills for career development

In addition to specialist knowledge of politics, philosophy and economics, this degree course will help you develop valuable transferable skills for employment, including:

• Using a range of communication technologies to independently research, select and present information
• Analysing and critically evaluating information and data
• Writing and communicating concisely and clearly
• Assembling reasoned arguments for particular audiences
• Using a range of formats: essays, presentations, reports, collaborative working, online forums
• Reflecting on your learning and developing strategies to update your knowledge
• Valuing critical feedback to reflect on progress and improve your work
• Working on your initiative and managing your time.

Career relevance

A degree in politics philosophy and economics is internationally recognised as providing a set of conceptual and quantitative skills particularly relevant for many areas of public service, such as the civil and diplomatic services and local government. In particular, you’ll develop skills enabling you to express your ideas clearly and logically; understand and analyse complex information; and study independently.

Other careers

This degree course is also good preparation for a wide variety of other careers, including banking and finance, politics, journalism and broadcasting, law, industry, teaching, social work, accountancy, business management, consultancy, marketing and advertising – and many graduate-level jobs are open to graduates of any discipline. Some careers may require further study, training and/or work experience beyond your degree.

With our unique approach to distance learning, you can study from home, work or on the move.

You’ll have some assessment deadlines to meet, but otherwise, you’ll be free to study at the times that suit you, fitting your learning around work, family, and social life.

For each of your modules, you’ll use either just online resources or a mix of online and printed materials.

Each module you study will have a module website with

• A week-by-week study planner, giving you a step-by-step guide through your studies
• Course materials such as reading, videos, recordings, and self-assessed activities
• Module forums for discussions and collaborative activities with other students
• Details of each assignment and their due dates
• A tutorial booking system, online tutorial rooms, and your tutor’s contact details
• Online versions of some printed module materials and resources.