2018 Undergraduate Courses
  • Students are to follow the requirements of the Handbook for the year they commenced the course.

    However, the subject links below do not contain the subject information for the current year. You can view current subject information through the new Course Handbook.

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Dean's Scholar) | 2018

Testamur Title of Degree:

Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Dean's Scholar)

Abbreviation:

BPPE(Dean'sSchol)

UOW Course Code:

1871

CRICOS Code:

085658K

Total Credit Points:

144

Duration:

3 years full-time or part-time equivalent

Home Faculty:

Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts

Intake Session(s):

Autumn/Spring*

Delivery Mode:

On-campus (Face-to-face)

Delivery Campus / UAC Code:

Wollongong / 753116

* Students eligible for credit transfer may begin in Summer Session if appropriate subjects are available.

Overview

The Dean's Scholar degree provides an academic space for high-achieving single degree Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics students. With a limited intake of students per year, it aims to provide an enriched educational experience for high-achieving, motivated students who are hoping to make a contribution to their field of study through teaching or research, or by working as professionals in their chosen area of study. The course culminates in a year 3 Dean’s Scholar subject designed to bring all three strands together in a substantial research project.

Dean's Scholar Degrees

The Dean's Scholar degree is not a scholarship. Students intending to apply for a place in this degree are encouraged to apply for the University's Undergraduate, Residential, Foundation or Equity and Merit Scholarships.

Dean's Scholar students benefit from:

  • Access to shared study and workspace;
  • Yearly text book/resource allowance for full-time students;
  • Limited printing privileges;
  • Specialised subject PPE 302 Dean'sScholars Politics, Phil and Econ Applied Research Project;
  • Opportunities to attend academic and higher degree research workshops and seminars.

The Heads of Students of the Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts (LHA) oversee the program and have regular meetings with the scholars. On successful completion of the first part of the course, Dean's Scholars will be guaranteed admission to Honours.

To qualify for the award of Dean's Scholar, students must complete the course requirements for the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (BPPE). Dean’s Scholars must also maintain an average of 75% in each year of study to remain in the program. If the student’s average falls below 75%, the student will be transferred to the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics degree.

Dean's Scholars are able to use the University's student exchange program to undertake a period of study overseas. Several Dean's Scholars have competed successfully for places in the Australian National Internship Program or the University Capitol Washington Internship Program which places students in political offices in Canberra or Washington D.C. respectively.

Entry Requirements & Credit Arrangements

Information on academic and English language requirements, as well as eligibility for credit for prior learning, is available from the Course Finder.

Course Learning Outcomes

Course Learning Outcomes are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this course will be able to demonstrate:

CLO Description
1 Identify and evaluate key methods and concepts in the academic disciplines of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
2 Demonstrate knowledge of the relationships between the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy and Economics and the points at which their key methods and concepts diverge
3 Apply the theories of each discipline to analysis of practical questions and problems
4 Communicate ideas and arguments related to Politics, Philosophy and Economics with diverse audiences and communities
5 Understand, interpret and apply qualitative and quantitative social science research methods in the investigation of political, philosophical and economics issues
6 Independently plan and execute a research or professional based project that demonstrates an understanding and critical analysis of the three disciplines of Politics, Philosophy and Economics

Course Structure

To qualify for award of the degree, the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (Dean's Scholar), a candidate must successfully complete at least 144 credit points, comprised of:

  1. The core requirements of the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics outlined below (90 credit points outlined below)
  2. At least one of the three majors (Politics, Philosophy, or Economics) (48 credit points outlined below)
  3. Electives from the general schedule to bring the total number of credit points completed to 144.
     
Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points
BPPE Core:
COMM121 Statistics for Business 6
PPE 302 Dean's Scholars Politics, Phil and Econ Applied Research Project 12

* In addition to PPE 302 Dean’s Scholars Politics, Philosophy and Economics Applied Research Project, meetings and events will be held throughout the degree to provide students with opportunities to meet with practitioners of the three disciplines and to build their skills and knowledge in the disciplines. 

Politics Major

The discipline of Politics is an exciting, vibrant and constantly changing body of ideas, approaches and methods. The Politics program offers subjects in international relations, Australian politics, political theory, comparative politics, the politics of developing countries, public policy, culture and media. Students are advised to study as broadly as possible across the areas offered by the discipline.

The purpose of the major is to acquaint students with key areas of Politics as a discipline. Political study involves examining the origins and nature of consent, authority, and consensus, which underpin social order. Many factors are covered in this examination; political institutions, political economy, culture, class, gender and ethnicity. Politics can and does occur at many levels, from international relations to the nation state, from local communities to the individual. The study of politics is not just to do with politics in the here and now, but concerns itself with both the past and the future. Whether it is a country being studied, relations between countries, or a body of political ideas, politics engages us with choices about how to live life and how best to contribute to society.

To qualify for a major study in Politics, students must complete 48 credit points as outlined below.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points
Politics Core:
POL 150 Government, Power and Political Systems 6
POL 201 Key Concepts and Thinkers in Political Theory 6
POL 221 Australian Politics 6
POL 304 Power and the State 6
Plus a minimum of 24 credit points from the following. At least 12 credit points must be at 300 level.
POL 202 Politics in the USA 6
POL 204 Politics and the Media 6
POL 306 Complex Peace Operations 6
POL 308 The Politics of Asian Development 6
POL 309 Global Political Economy 6
POL 310 Twentieth Century Dictatorships 6
POL 311 Politics of the Middle East 6
POL 326 Global Inequality 6
POL 327 Culture and Politics 6
POL 328 Special Topics in Politics 6
POL 345 Politics Internship 6
POL 346 Australian National Internship Program 12
POL 347 Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program 12
Students may include a maximum of TWO electives from the following:
INTS121 Global Politics and Power 6
INTS200 Model United Nations 6
INTS204 Global Aid and Development: Challenges and Prospects 6
INTS207 Conflict, Peace & Security 6
STS 302 Climate Change Policy, Possible Futures 6

Philosophy Major

Philosophy engages with the most fundamental questions, and puts you into dialogue with the greatest thinkers who have ever tried to answer them.  It asks: What is the good life? Is happiness the main goal of life? How should we treat others and the environment? What makes an action morally good? How should we understand human existence? Do our lives have meaning? How does consciousness fit in nature? What is knowledge? Can we know anything with certainty? Does science aim at truth? What is life? Is artificial life possible? What is social justice? Which rights matter in a fair society? Should the rich help the poor?

By studying philosophy you will improve your analytic reasoning skills, broaden and deepen your understanding of foundational topics, and learn how to respect and value diverse points of view.  You will acquire skills in independent thinking and gain experience in analysing and carefully assessing arguments and ideas.  These are highly marketable graduate qualities, sought after by employers.

Major areas of study at UOW include: ethics; phenomenology and existentialism; metaphysics; philosophy of mind; philosophy of language; philosophy of science; political philosophy and theory of knowledge.

For a major study in Philosophy, students must complete:

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points
Philosophy Core:
PHIL107 Introduction to Philosophy 6
PHIL218 Ethics: Good, Bad and Evil 6
PHIL219 Knowledge, Science and Understanding 6
PHIL319 Political Philosophy: Justice, Equality and Rights 6
Plus a minimum of THREE from the following. At least TWO must be at 300 level.
PHIL226 Global Ethics 6
PHIL227 The Meaning of Life: Absurdity and Existence 6
PHIL234 Mind, Body and World 6
PHIL235 International Studies in Philosophy 6
PHIL256 Environmental Philosophy: Animals, Nature and Ethics 6
PHIL318 Stories in Our Lives: Mind, Self and Psychosis 6
PHIL320 Philosophy of Health and Happiness 6
PHIL326 Bioethics 6

Economics Major

Economics provides an understanding of the operation of the economy at macro and micro levels. These include modern business, health care, the environment, the labour market, national economic policy and international monetary issues. You will learn general principles and tools which can be applied to a wide range of issues affecting the national and international economy. You will discuss the big issues including unemployment, the level of national debt, the existence of poverty and the problems confronting developing countries. You will study the three major components of Economics:

Macroeconomics, which focuses on the way the whole economy functions, examining issues such as economic growth, unemployment and interest rates.

Microeconomics, which focuses on the behaviour of individual components of the whole economy, such as consumers, companies, trade unions, employers' associations and the various levels of government.

Quantitative Methods, which focuses on quantitative and mathematical techniques and their application to business economics.

For a major study in Economics, students must complete 48 credit points as outlined below.

Subject Code Subject Name Credit Points Session(s)
Economics Core:
ECON100Economic Essentials for Business6Autumn, Spring, Summer 2018/2019
ECON102Economics and Society6Autumn, Spring
ECON305Economic Policy6Spring
Plus ONE from the following:
ECON205Macroeconomic Theory and Policy6Autumn, Spring
ECON215Microeconomic Theory and Policy6Autumn
Economics Major Study:
Choose ONE from the following (not already taken):
ECON205Macroeconomic Theory and Policy6Autumn, Spring
ECON215Microeconomic Theory and Policy6Autumn
Plus ONE from the following:
ECON222Mathematics for Business6Autumn, Spring
ECON339Applied Financial Modelling6Spring
Plus ONE from the following:
ECON316History of Economic Thought6Not available in 2018
ECON304The Historical Foundations of the Modern Australian Economy6Autumn
Plus a further 6cp 300-level Economics subject

Timetables

 Click on subject codes in the above course structure for information on sessions of offer for each subject.

To find out specific information on timetables, tutorials, and classes, visit the Timetable page.

Work Integrated Learning

Undertaking a work integrated learning (WIL) experience during your university education is now a significant contributor to being competitive in securing employment in your field of choice when you graduate from UOW.

Students in the Politics Major can apply to the Discipline Leader to complete an Internship under the subjects POL 345, POL 346, or POL 347 .

POL 345, Politics Internship, enables students to undertake internships in relevant political offices in the Illawarra or Sydney attached to the office of an elected politician, or working within a part of government bureaucracy. Students will undertake duties as directed by their supervisor in that institution.

POL 346, Australian National Internship Program (ANIP), is highly competitive and by application to the ANU. If selected students will undertake two months or more full-time work in as a parliamentary intern based in the offices of Members of Parliament and Senators and engaging with a range of activities that shape national policy-making. Placements in the Public Service or other agencies are also possible. Enrolment in POL 346 is conditional on being selected for the ANIP.

POL 347, Uni-Capitol Washington Internship Program (UCWIP), provides interns with a unique perspective of the US political system and institutions over a two-month placement. In-office experiences will vary widely according to the needs of the congressional hosts but will typically include administrative functions, constituent liaison and legislative research and support. Interns are encouraged to attend hearings, briefings and press conferences both on and off Capitol Hill in addition to the UCWIP-organised briefings at the US State Department and the Australian Embassy.

For students in other majors, The Faculty of Law, Humanities and the Arts internship program provides students with an opportunity to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in their degree in a workplace setting.

Students are also encouraged to consider CRLP200 (6cp). CRLP200 includes a quality assured workplace internship or industry project to give you that competitive edge by developing your professional skills through authentic learning in a real world context. You will focus on your career goals and receive career direction guidance, strengthen your resume and gain skills to navigate the rapidly changing world of work, develop your communication skills and begin to build a professional network.

Honours

Students seeking to pursue an Honours degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics should refer to the information on the BPPE (Honours) Course Handbook Page.

Other Information

Further information is available via email: lha-enquiries@uow.edu.au

Last reviewed: 11 August, 2020