adam smith

Philosophy, Politics & Economics

PPE is an interdisciplinary program designed around the historical, methodological, and theoretical connections between philosophy, politics, and economics. Students who major in PPE undertake a rigorous and partly self-designed course of study that explores the theoretical foundations of political and economic thought and relates them to contemporary affairs.

John McHugh

John McHugh,Associate Professor, Director, Philosophy, Politics, & Economics Progr…

Jessica Bean

Jessica S. Bean,Associate Professor, Chair of Economics, The JPMorgan Chase Endowed Pr…

Heather Pool

Heather N. Pool,Associate Professor

Alumni from the PPE program successfully transition into careers in the political and private sectors with graduates working for the Senate, consulting firms, Bloomberg, and law firms.

Learn more about Philosophy, Politics & Economics

Spotlights

Scott Smitson in a classroom pointing at a map

Denison Magazine

Learning grand strategy from a master

In a course taught by military strategist Scott Smitson, students explore theory, policy, partnerships, and other tools to solve wicked problems.

Scott Smitson in a classroom pointing at a map

Learning grand strategy from a master

In a course taught by military strategist Scott Smitson, students explore theory, policy, partnerships, and other tools to solve wicked problems.

Ziegert holding her book

How to solve childhood poverty

Economics professor Andrea Ziegert's new book offers a glimpse of a hopeful future.

Winter 2022 cover

Denison Magazine

The ON Switch

Conversations with faculty about what it means to teach — and to trigger those amazing moments of illumination

Ben Cross '20

Post-grad Scholarship Leads to Law School

Ben Cross '20 is headed to law school with a $10,000 scholarship, thanks to his outstanding efforts in the classroom and on the field.

Sueshin “Sarah” Moon ’22

How We Live

Connecting Two Worlds

Sueshin “Sarah” Moon ’22 has made it her mission to enhance the Denison experience for her fellow international students.

Marxstatue

How We Learn

The 'spectre' of Marxism

Marx's wide influence across disciplines was celebrated during a two-day event.

Antrim Ross

How We Learn

Three disciplines: Exponential

Philosophy, political science and economics major Antrim Ross '16 shares her thoughts on her major.

Brazil: Five Centuries of Change

Where We Go

Thomas E. Skidmore '54

Harvard offered Thomas Skidmore '54 a post-doctoral fellowship in 1961 to change his history specialty to Modern Latin America.

What's Happening

In the News

Michael Plowgian ’99 rejoins KPMG from the US treasury department

At the Treasury, tax specialist Plowgian, then deputy assistant secretary for international tax affairs, served as a top US negotiator at the OECD.

Awards & Honors

Maddy Murphy '23 honored with the 2023 Kussmaul Award

Maddy Murphy is winner of the 2023 Kussmaul Friendship Award for her contributions to “the friendly relations between the village and college.”

President's Medalists

Madeleine Murphy ’23: President’s Medalist

“What surprised me while we were playing high-level music I felt the emphasis was not on perfection — it was on learning to be a lifelong creative.”

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