The Division of Politics, Philosophy and Public Affairs (PPPA) offers innovative majors and minors which explore the ways societies solve social challenges.
Our curriculum combines theory and practice, making it an excellent choice if you are interested in current events, public affairs, politics, ethics, human rights, economics, international studies, law and social philosophy.
PPPA faculty is committed to our students and to active scholarship. Through small classes, a variety of extracurricular activities and individualized internships, you will have many opportunities to work closely with faculty and the community.
Undergraduate Programs
Division of Politics, Phil and Pub Affairs
424 West Coast Grocery Building
253-692-4450 ias@uw.edu
Program of Study: Major: Economics and Policy Analysis
Program Overview
The Economics and Policy Analysis major develops students’ advanced economic reasoning, and applies this to policy-related issues. Students learn to think critically about the nexus between markets and the government, and engage in critical inquiry over policies undertaken by their community governments. Through the sequencing of coursework, students in this major will apply their knowledge and skills to community affairs and local decision-making. The curricular content of this major links students with some of the economic challenges facing Tacoma, South Puget Sound and Washington State. Graduates of this major will be prepared to pursue graduate studies in Health Care Policy, Regional and Urban Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, and Law. They will also be well-positioned to begin mid-level careers in government, policy-related enterprises, and business.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Economics and Policy Analysis
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Economics and Policy Analysis
Credential Overview
The Economics and Policy Analysis major develops students’ advanced economic reasoning, and applies this to policy-related issues. Students learn to think critically about the nexus between markets and the government, and engage in critical inquiry over policies undertaken by their community governments. Through the sequencing of coursework, students in this major will apply their knowledge and skills to community affairs and local decision-making. The curricular content of this major links students with some of the economic challenges facing Tacoma, South Puget Sound and Washington State. Graduates of this major will be prepared to pursue graduate studies in Health Care Policy, Regional and Urban Studies, Public Policy, Public Administration, and Law. They will also be well-positioned to begin mid-level careers in government, policy-related enterprises, and business.
Completion Requirements
65 credits
Core Courses (25 credits)
TECON 200
TECON 201
T PHIL 251
TMATH 116 (or equivalent), OR TMATH 120 (or equivalent)
TWRT 211
Required Core: TECON 310 ( 5 credits)
Students must complete a 5-credit seminar class on Economics and Public Policy analysis. The goal of this class is to leave data analysis, and reinforce the analytical tools and theoretical concepts that will underpin all 400-level coursework in the major as well as the capstone. We will also discuss potential employment and graduate school opportunities for graduates in this major. Prerequisites: All courses in section (a).
Upper-Division Courses (35 credits)
Students must complete 30 credits of upper-division (300- or 400-level) TECON classes. At least 20 of these credits must be 400-level TECON classes. Please see website for approved list.
TECON 480 (5 credits)
Honors Graduation Requirements
Students can earn an Honors in Economics and Policy Analysis by graduating with a minimum GPA of 3.5, and completing advanced coursework in economic theory and quantitative analysis. An honors designation demonstrates that a student has achieved a high level of expertise in economic theory and quantitative methods, such as would be expected for someone wishing to pursue graduate studies in economics. To earn Honors, students must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher, and supplement the major requirements with the following three courses (with an average GPA of at least 3.0 for the three):
Develops theoretical reasoning and analytical skills for assessing current topics in law and policy. Provides a solid liberal arts foundation for understanding current legal and policy issues in health care, social policy and international development.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Law and Policy
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Law and Policy
Completion Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with the bachelor of arts degree, each student enrolled in the program must meet the UW Tacoma scholastic standards (2.0 UW GPA), credits required (minimum 180) and the final-year residency requirement and complete the following program requirements:
Complete all general education requirements not met with transfer courses. See advisor for details.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences course work. Some majors or concentrations may require more.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division course work, including transfer courses and UW Tacoma courses.
Complete 5 credits of English composition with a minimum 2.0 grade. This must be completed in a student’s first two quarters at UW Tacoma.
Complete the requirements for a major or concentration (minors are optional).
No more than 15 elective credits can be taken for a Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory grade. See advisor for details.
Complete at least 45 of last 60 credits in residence at the University of Washington Tacoma.
Meet with an advisor to complete a graduation application no later than the second week of the quarter in which the student plans to graduate.
Law and Policy requires a total of 65 credits as outlined below:
Core Courses:
Two law courses:
At least One of these course must be:
T LAW 205
T LAW 215 (formerly TPOL S 328)
One of these courses maybe:
T LAW 363 (formerly TPOL S 363)
T LAW 367 (formerly TPOL S 367)
Two politics courses:
TPOL S 202
TPOL S 203
TPOL S 204
TPOL S 382
One practical reasoning course:
T PHIL 250
T PHIL 251
One ethical and philosophical reasoning course:
TECON 210
T PHIL 240
T PHIL 361
One writing course:
TWRT 211
Electives: minimum 25 credits
Each of the courses selected from the lists must be in addition to those chosen to fulfill core requirements.
15 credits, Law and Legal Systems in Policy Making.
10 credits, Theory and Practice in Law and Policy.
You must select one of the options below for your final five (5) credits in this major. This course will be your culminating work for your major and illustrate that you have meet the student learning objectives as found in our course catalog. While the Law and Policy capstone and internship courses are being developed, you may substitute the course options with the PP&E capstone or internship courses as listed below. This option should be confirmed with your advisor prior to registering for the course, so it can be applied correctly in DARS.
The specific student learning objectives of this major are:
Develop effective and persuasive analytical, writing and communication skills, and apply these skills to complex contemporary social and legal problems.
Acquire substantive knowledge and understanding about the institutions and beliefs embedded in legal practices and specific public policies.
Critically examine legal, political, and economic institutions as they relate to social and policy choices.
Critically evaluate theories and methods used to examine trade offs in policy and legal decisions.
Analyze, display and interpret data to explain social and policy issues.
Understand the role of ethics and the ethical dimension of laws and policy making.
Program of Study: Major: Politics, Philosophy, and Economics
Program Overview
Provides an in-depth analytical foundation for politics, philosophy and economics, with a special emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills. Three options: ECONOMICS, INTERNATIONAL STUDIES and POLITICS & PHILOSOPHY.
This program of study leads to the following credentials:
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: Economics
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: International Studies
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: Politics and Philosophy
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: Economics
Credential Overview
Provides an in-depth analytical foundation for politics, philosophy and economics, with a special emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills. For this option, Economics, is the designated subject.
Completion Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with the bachelor of arts degree, each student enrolled in the program must meet the UW Tacoma scholastic standards (2.0 UW GPA), credits required (minimum 180) and the final-year residency requirement and complete the following program requirements:
Complete all general education requirements not met with transfer courses. See advisor for details.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences course work. Some majors or concentrations may require more.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division course work, including transfer courses and UW Tacoma courses.
Complete 5 credits of English composition with a minimum 2.0 grade. This must be completed in a student’s first two quarters at UW Tacoma.
Complete the requirements for a major or concentration (minors are optional).
No more than 15 elective credits can be taken for a Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory grade. See advisor for details.
Complete at least 45 of last 60 credits in residence at the University of Washington Tacoma.
Meet with an advisor to complete a graduation application no later than the second week of the quarter in which the student plans to graduate.
Requires 65 credits total. Reminder: 45 upper-division credits and 45 credits of IAS courses are required for graduation from IAS.
Core Courses: 20 credits
At least One class from each of the following three lists:
Economics Core (List A)
TECON 200 or TBECON 220
TECON 201 or TBECON 221
Philosophy Core (List B)
TPOL S 201
T PHIL 101
T PHIL 240
TRELIG 321
Politics Core (List C)
TPOL S 202
TPOL S 203
TPOL S 204
TPOL S 260
Methods Courses : 10 credits
T PHIL 250
T PHIL 251
Capstone/Seminar Course: 5 credits
TPOL S 480
TLAW 496
TPOL S 496 (must be approved)
TPOL S 497 (offered in winter quarter)
In addition to the above requirements, students choose between one of three separate options: Politics and Philosophy, Economics and International Studies, each of which allows you to specialize in a particular area.
Additional requirements specified below.
Additional Completion Requirements
Option-specific requirements
To fulfill this option, you must take four classes from the list of Economics option classes, as well as two additional classes from either the Politics and Philosophy or Law and Policy options.
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: International Studies
Credential Overview
Provides an in-depth analytical foundation for politics, philosophy and economics, with a special emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills. For this option, International Studies, is the designated subject.
Completion Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with the bachelor of arts degree, each student enrolled in the program must meet the UW Tacoma scholastic standards (2.0 UW GPA), credits required (minimum 180) and the final-year residency requirement and complete the following program requirements:
Complete all general education requirements not met with transfer courses. See advisor for details.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences course work. Some majors or concentrations may require more.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division course work, including transfer courses and UW Tacoma courses.
Complete 5 credits of English composition with a minimum 2.0 grade. This must be completed in a student’s first two quarters at UW Tacoma.
Complete the requirements for a major or concentration (minors are optional).
No more than 15 elective credits can be taken for a Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory grade. See advisor for details.
Complete at least 45 of last 60 credits in residence at the University of Washington Tacoma.
Meet with an advisor to complete a graduation application no later than the second week of the quarter in which the student plans to graduate.
Requires 65 credits total. Reminder: 45 upper-division credits and 45 credits of IAS courses are required for graduation from IAS.
Core Courses: 20 credits
At least One class from each of the following three lists:
Economics Core (List A)
TECON 200 or TBECON 220
TECON 201 or TBECON 221
Philosophy Core (List B)
TPOL S 201
T PHIL 101
T PHIL 240
TRELIG 321
Politics Core (List C)
TPOL S 202
TPOL S 203
TPOL S 204
TPOL S 260
Methods Courses : 10 credits
T PHIL 250
T PHIL 251
Capstone/Seminar Course: 5 credits
TPOL S 480
TLAW 496
TPOL S 496 (must be approved)
TPOL S 497 (offered in winter quarter)
In addition to the above requirements, students choose between one of three separate options: Politics and Philosophy, Economics and International Studies, each of which allows you to specialize in a particular area.
Additional requirements specified below.
Additional Completion Requirements
Option-specific requirements
To fulfill this option, you must take four classes from the International Studies option list, with the option of using up to 5 credits from a study abroad course or one third quarter or higher language course as one of the four option classes.
Two additional classes from either the Politics and Philosophy or Economics options are also required.
Bachelor of Arts degree with a major in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics: Politics and Philosophy
Credential Overview
Provides an in-depth analytical foundation for politics, philosophy and economics, with a special emphasis on critical thinking and writing skills. For this option, Politics and Philosophy, is the designated subject.
Completion Requirements
To be eligible for graduation with the bachelor of arts degree, each student enrolled in the program must meet the UW Tacoma scholastic standards (2.0 UW GPA), credits required (minimum 180) and the final-year residency requirement and complete the following program requirements:
Complete all general education requirements not met with transfer courses. See advisor for details.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of Interdisciplinary Arts and Sciences course work. Some majors or concentrations may require more.
Complete a minimum of 45 credits of upper-division course work, including transfer courses and UW Tacoma courses.
Complete 5 credits of English composition with a minimum 2.0 grade. This must be completed in a student’s first two quarters at UW Tacoma.
Complete the requirements for a major or concentration (minors are optional).
No more than 15 elective credits can be taken for a Satisfactory/Not Satisfactory grade. See advisor for details.
Complete at least 45 of last 60 credits in residence at the University of Washington Tacoma.
Meet with an advisor to complete a graduation application no later than the second week of the quarter in which the student plans to graduate.
Requires 65 credits total. Reminder: 45 upper-division credits and 45 credits of IAS courses are required for graduation from IAS.
Core Courses: 20 credits
At least One class from each of the following three lists:
Economics Core (List A)
TECON 200 or TBECON 220
TECON 201 or TBECON 221
Philosophy Core (List B)
TPOL S 201
T PHIL 101
T PHIL 240
TRELIG 321
Politics Core (List C)
TPOL S 202
TPOL S 203
TPOL S 204
TPOL S 260
Methods Courses : 10 credits
T PHIL 250
T PHIL 251
Capstone/Seminar Course: 5 credits
TPOL S 480
TLAW 496
TPOL S 496 (must be approved)
TPOL S 497 (offered in winter quarter)
In addition to the above requirements, students choose between one of three separate options: Politics and Philosophy, Economics and International Studies, each of which allows you to specialize in a particular area.
Additional requirements specified below.
Additional Completion Requirements
Option-specific requirements
To fulfill this option, you must take four classes from the list below, as well as two additional classes from either the International or Economics options.
A minor in Asian Studies offers a well-rounded understanding of the countries and cultures of Asia.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Asian Studies
Minor in Asian Studies
Credential Overview
A minor in Asian Studies offers a well-rounded understanding of the countries and cultures of Asia.
You will benefit from this minor if you work or plan to work in businesses dealing with Asia; are interested in applying to graduate studies in history, anthropology or other humanities or social science areas; are a nursing or social work student with a clientele that includes members of the Asian community; or are an education student interested in integrating Asian Studies into their classroom work.
Completion Requirements
All courses in the minor must be completed with a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The Asian Studies minor requires 30 credits to include:
Framework Courses: 10 credits from the following
TCOM 430
TCOM 460
TCOM 461
TECON 332
TECON 362 (formerly TECON 460)
T HIST 271
T HIST 372
T HIST 474
T HIST 486
TPOL S 203
T URB 430
Content Courses: 20 credits
See Asian Studies minor web page for approved courses on List B: Content courses
Credit for study in Asia may count toward credit for course work. See an advisor for details.
The study of economics emphasizes conceptual and analytical thinking. With this minor you will gain a solid understanding of economics and its historical, political, environmental and social contexts.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Economics
Minor in Economics
Credential Overview
The study of economics emphasizes conceptual and analytical thinking. With this minor you will gain a solid understanding of economics and its historical, political, environmental and social contexts.
A student completing a minor in economics should be able to engage in and employ economic reasoning; examine and explain the economics behind current events; or analyze the relationship between economics and other areas of inquiry
As an Economics minor, your studies prepare you for careers in teaching, journalism, business and law, as well as for admission to graduate programs in public policy, law, business, international relations, journalism, and related fields.
Completion Requirements
All courses in the minor must be completed with cumulative 2.0 GPA. Please see an advisor to discuss details. The Economics minor requires 25 credits to include the following:
Core Courses: 10 credits
TECON 200 or TBECON 220 (5)
TECON 201 or TBECON 221 (5)
Upper-Division Courses: 15 credits
15 credits from upper-division courses, (300 - 400 level) from the economics track of Politics, Philosophy and Economics major (PP&E).
*Only 5 credits from TBECON 420, TBECON 421 or TBECON 422 may count towards the minor.
The Human Rights minor is an option for students who are interested in this rapidly emerging field of study. This is a coordinated tri-campus initiative (UW Tacoma, UW Seattle and UW Bothell). Students benefit from being able to choose from many courses on different campuses, as well as meeting and collaborating with students from other programs. Students may, but are not required to, take courses from more than one campus in order to earn the minor.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Human Rights
Minor in Human Rights
Credential Overview
The Human Rights minor is an option for students who are interested in this rapidly emerging field of study. This is a coordinated tri-campus initiative (UW Tacoma, UW Seattle and UW Bothell). Students benefit from being able to choose from many courses on different campuses, as well as meeting and collaborating with students from other programs. Students may, but are not required to, take courses from more than one campus in order to earn the minor.
Students who may benefit from the minor are:
•Applying to law school;
•Wanting to work in international human rights NGOs or humanitarian nonprofits;
•Wanting to work in government;
•Interested in the relationship between culture and international law;
•Interested in women's rights as human rights and the impact of the gendered state on women and labor;
•Interested in environmental justice issues, environmental law or science in the service of human rights or international humanitarian relief.
Completion Requirements
All courses in the minor must be completed with a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The Human Rights minor requires 25 credits to include the following:
Human Rights: 10 credits of courses concerned with human rights (List A) (i.e., as defined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights) as a core concept.
T HIST 457
T HLTH 520 (3 cr. - requires instructor permission)
T LAW 422 (formerly TPOL S 422)
T LAW 424 (formerly TPOL S 368)
T PHIL 200
TPOL S 230 (formerly TPOL S 311)
TPOL S 251
TPOL S 319 (formerly TPOL S 420)
TPOL S 410
TPOL S 421
TPOL S 448
TPOL S 453
Human Rights in a Broader Context: 5 credits of courses concerned with human rights in a broad context (List B), e.g. poverty, race/ethnicity, gender.
TECON 313
TECON 325 (formerly TECON 425)
T EGL 419 (formerly T HIST 419)
T GEOG 352
T HIST 220
T HIST 221
T HIST 222
T HIST 322
T HIST 340
T HIST 413
T HIST 416
T HIST 441
T LAW 215 (formerly TPOL S 328)
T LAW 320 (formerly TPOL S 320)
T LAW 348 (formerly TPOL S 348)
T LAW 363 (formerly TPOL S 363)
T LAW 452 (formerly TPOL S 452)
T LIT 320
T LIT 324
T LIT 425
TPOL S 312
TPOL S 343 (formerly TPOL S 456)
TPOL S 360
TPOL S 371
TPOL S 435
TPOL S 450 (Please Note: Only this variation of TPOL S 450 counts)
TPOL S 451
T SOC 335
T SOC 434
T SOC 456
T URB 314
T URB 316
Additional Requirements
10 additional credits from either of the above lists.
At least 3 credits (of the 25 required) must be in a human-rights-related internship, practicum, international study abroad or demonstrated equivalent.
TIAS 496
Important note for students who choose the internship option: Human rights internships have as their primary objective learning about human rights work and facilitating a synthesis between classroom learning and practical engagement. Appropriate human rights internships may be supervised by any University of Washington faculty member. Students who choose this route to fulfill the minor’s requirements must find an appropriate internship and register for TIAS 496. The new Human Rights Minor form must be stapled to the TIAS 496 Internship form when you submit it to SIAS if you want the internship to count for the minor. Be sure to have supervising faculty sign it or your minor may be incomplete.
Students are highly encouraged to take courses from the other two campuses as well as UW Tacoma to complete this minor. The expertise available on all three campuses has the potential to make the experience a richer one, providing more choices for internships and specialization of study within the minor. This information is provided to students who want a summary of the UW Tacoma offerings.
The Law and policy minor examines state-society relations and their effects on public policy and competent government. It will help you understand the law and legal institutions, and the relationship between legal thinking, social institutions, and public policy analysis. The coursework will help equip you for careers in teaching, journalism, business and law. It will also prepare you for graduate programs in public policy, law, business, international studies, journalism and related fields.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Law and Policy
Minor in Law and Policy
Credential Overview
The Law and policy minor examines state-society relations and their effects on public policy and competent government. It will help you understand the law and legal institutions, and the relationship between legal thinking, social institutions, and public policy analysis. The coursework will help equip you for careers in teaching, journalism, business and law. It will also prepare you for graduate programs in public policy, law, business, international studies, journalism and related fields.
Students completing a minor in Law and Policy should be able to engage in and employ sophisticated and logical reasoning; examine and explain the role of law in understanding governing structures and public policies; analyze the relationship between law and policy and other areas of inquiry.
Completion Requirements
All courses in the minor must be completed with a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The Law and Policy minor requires 25 credits to include the following:
A minor in politics will help you develop a solid understanding of political and social connections, the relations between states and international institutions, and the history of relationships between governments and citizens. This minor fits well with a major in environmental studies, history, communications, business, social work, or urban studies.
Students completing a minor in politics will learn to engage in and employ sophisticated theoretical reasoning to analyze issues related to politics; analyze and explain the politics behind current events; investigate the relationship between politics and other areas of inquiry; and discuss and write critically about domestic and international political and social issues.
Students with a Politics minor are better prepared for careers in government, law, planning, nonprofit management, community work, diplomacy, business, teaching, journalism and other fields, and better prepared for graduate study in these areas.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Politics
Minor in Politics
Credential Overview
A minor in politics will help you develop a solid understanding of political and social connections, the relations between states and international institutions, and the history of relationships between governments and citizens. This minor fits well with a major in environmental studies, history, communications, business, social work, or urban studies.
Students completing a minor in politics will learn to engage in and employ sophisticated theoretical reasoning to analyze issues related to politics;
analyze and explain the politics behind current events; investigate the relationship between politics and other areas of inquiry; and discuss and write critically about domestic and international political and social issues.
Students with a Politics minor are better prepared for careers in government, law, planning, nonprofit management, community work, diplomacy, business, teaching, journalism and other fields, and better prepared for graduate study in these areas.
Completion Requirements
All courses in the minor must be completed with a cumulative 2.0 GPA. The Politics minor requires 25 credits to include the following:
Core Courses: 10 credits
TPOL S 201 (5)
TPOL S 202 (5)
TPOL S 203 (5)
TPOL S 204 (5)
Upper-Division Courses: 15 credits, of upper-division 300 - 400 level.
See Politics minor web page for list of approved electives.
The study of religion deepens our understanding of human nature and engages us in reflection on life’s greatest questions. In the Religious Studies minor, students study various religions and the social implications of their beliefs.
This program of study leads to the following credential:
Minor in Religious Studies
Minor in Religious Studies
Credential Overview
The study of religion deepens our understanding of human nature and engages us in reflection on life’s greatest questions. In the Religious Studies minor, students study various religions and the social implications of their beliefs.
This minor is for students who:
• Want to work in any field related to religion.
• Plan to work in a field which brings you in frequent contact with people of different faiths.
• Are applying to graduate studies in philosophy, regional studies, or international studies.
• Are an Education student interested in integrating religion into their classroom work, or who may work in a religious-affiliated school.
Completion Requirements
All courses in the minor must be completed with a cumulative 2.0 GPA.
Required Courses: 15 credits
TRELIG 105
TRELIG 210
TRELIG 321
Optional Courses: 10 credits must be upper-division 300-400 level coursework.