PHIL/POLI/ECON 384.002 – Gateway to Philosophy, Politics, and Economics

 Instructor: Luc Bovens. This course meets MW 11:15 a.m. to 12:05 p.m. in HO 115, with a recitation on Fridays.

This interdisciplinary course provides an overview of theoretical and applied topics at the intersection of philosophy, politics, and economics (PPE). Each week combines a theoretical topic with a matching applied topic. Theoretical topics include game theory, property, liberty, collective action, markets, justice, exploitation, public choice, poverty and inequality. We will read, among others, Aquinas, Locke, Smith, Marx, Mill, Rawls, and Nozick. The applied topics are topics in the contemporary public debate, such as segregation, automation and unemployment, climate change, dieselgate, effective altruism, welfare programs, equality of opportunity, tax reform, nudge, prisons & race, boycotts & bathrooms, gerrymandering, and healthcare. The aim of this course is to introduce you to classical sources in PPE and equip you with the skills to inform yourself about contemporary affairs through blogs and newspaper articles.

Recommended prerequisite: 1 ECON course.

All seats reserved for declared PPE minors. To officially declare the PPE minor, contact your academic advisor for assistance. This particular section is not co-convened, and will meet all semester at UNC.