The MA in PPE: Economics and Politics
Inter-connections between economics and politics are deep and take centre stage in this course. Indeed in the early stages of its development, what we now call ‘economics’ was known as ‘political economy’. This course is tailor-made to suit students with interests in Economics and Politics. It includes an interdisciplinary module in social choice and provides research training for doctoral research in economics. By offering a variety of optional modules it also prepares students for a wide range of further careers, in economics and politics, finance, international organisations and international development.
Course Structure
Core modules:
-
The Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) of Social Choice
The module covers a range of topics – such as decision making, rights and justice - relating to social choice (broadly interpreted) at an advanced level. It is inter-disciplinary and jointly taught by the members of the three PPE departments. (20 credits) -
Microeconomic Theory
This is the first part of the Applied Microeconomics module offered by the Department of Economics. It covers central topics in micro-economics including consumer theory, decision theory, welfare and market equlibrium and efficiency. (10 credits) -
International Macroeconomics
This module addresses important policy questions and provides an understanding of exchange rate determination, balance of payments problems and implications for macroeconomic and financial linkages between economies. (10 credits) Personal and Career Development Skills & Research Management and Dissemination
These modules provide students with a range of skills for Social Scientists including transferable skills useful outside academic life.Dissertation Proposal
This module covers issues relating to the writing of dissertations, with specific guidance relating to dissertations in economics where one other PPE discipline is relevant. (10 credits)Dissertation
This is a focussed piece of writing of about 12,000 words in which students are expected to display skills acquired in taught modules. (60 credits)
Students also do a short-course in Mathematics for Economics in weeks 2, 3 and 4 of the Autumn term. This is not assessed.
Optional Modules:
Students choose one of the following:
Quantative Analysis
This module covers probability theory, hypothesis testing and regression analyis. It provides research training in Quantative Analysis for Economists.
OR
Econometrics
The module provides an introduction to the econometric techniques that are available to estimate econometric relationships and are used in best practices empirical research and considers problems that might be encountered in applying these techniques.
In addition, students choose a total of 20 credits as follows:
EITHER:
One or two Economics modules from:
- Corporate Finance
- Cost-Benefit Analysis
- Development Economics
- Experimental Economics
- Game Theory
- Labour Economics
- Development Project Appraisal
- Economics for European Integration
- Industrial Economics
- Public Finance
- Public Sector Economics
- Political Economy from a General Equilibrium Point of View
- Project
- Social Policy Analysis
- Theory of Finance
OR:
One Politics module from:
- Conflict and Recovery
- Comparative Labour Movements
- Foundations of Political Science
- Human Rights and Conflict
- Human Rights and Development
- State and Society in International Perspective
- The States We're In: Making and Managing the National and Local State
- Theories and Policies of Develoment Governance
There is additional flexibility on this course since students who wish to pursue more advanced training in economics/econometrics can make a request to the Board of Studies to do so.
The MA is a one year, full-time course. The distribution of assessed modules across the academic year is as follows:
| MA in PPE: Economics and Politics | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Autumn Term | Spring Term | Summer Term | Summer Vacation |
Microeconomic Theory Personal and Career Development Skills International Macroeconomics |
The PPE of Social Choice
Research Management and Dissemination Dissertation proposal |
Dissertation |
|
Quantitative Analysis OR Econometrics Economics Option(s) Politics Option | |||
Assessment Structure:
The PPE of Social Choice (11%)
Microeconomic Theory (5.5%)
International Macroeconomics (5.5%)
Economics Optional Module(s) (11%)
Politics Optional Module (11%)
Quantitative Analysis OR Econometrics(11%)
Personal and Career Development Skills (2.25%)
Research Management and Dissemination (2.25%)
Dissertation Proposal (5.5%)
Dissertation (34%)
Entry Requirements:
The MA is open to those with a good first degree (i.e. an upper second or equivalent) in any subject. For students whose first language is not English the School normally requires a minimum proficiency level of 6.5 in the IELTS test or 250 in the computer based American TOEFL test (580 in the paper based test). Students with no previous knowledge of economics are in general expected to attend a summer session in economics.