Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, and Sociology (PPES), B.A.
The Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, and Sociology (PPES) at Holy Family University is an interdisciplinary program that integrates the core principles of philosophy, political science, economics, and sociology to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the human condition, societal structures, and economic systems.
Program Overview
The PPES program has been designed to cultivate critical thinkers, informed citizens, and ethical leaders capable of addressing complex global challenges. Through rigorous coursework and hands-on experience, students will develop analytical, research, ethical reasoning, and communication skills needed to explore pressing social, political, and economic issues. By fostering intellectual curiosity, interdisciplinary dialogue, and a commitment to civic engagement, the PPES program prepares graduates to engage thoughtfully with the world, make informed decisions, and contribute meaningfully to both local and global communities.
Our mission is to equip students with the tools necessary to navigate and address the ethical, political, and economic complexities of the modern world, empowering them to become proactive leaders, responsible global citizens, and lifelong learners.
Program Details
The goal of the PPES program is to foster well-rounded, interdisciplinary scholars who are prepared to make thoughtful contributions to the world across multiple domains of social life.
- Interdisciplinary Skillset: The program brings together the strengths of multiple disciplines—philosophy, political science, economics, and sociology— to build critical thinking skills, quantitative and qualitative research skills, and an ability to communicate results, all with a focus on ethical reasoning. Put simply, graduates should have the ability to create, research, analyze, and communicate, serving as a solid yet flexible foundation for a variety of career paths.
- Real-World Application: A commitment to preparing students for real-world challenges, ensuring they can use their knowledge to solve contemporary problems in diverse fields such as public policy, business, international relations, and social advocacy.
- Historically Grounded, with Global and Local Perspectives: A commitment to thinking historically, and the need to approach problems from both local and global viewpoints; acknowledging the interconnectedness of the world in political, economic, and social spheres.
- Civic Engagement and Leadership: The inclusion of civic engagement as a central theme, aiming to produce graduates who are not only knowledgeable but also committed to making a positive impact on society.
What is Civic Engagement?
Civic engagement is related to but distinct from what we might call civic education, on the one hand, and civic activity, on the other. Civic education aims at informing citizens about their government. Civic activity can be thought of as a continuum containing the actions of citizens – from being a good neighbor to voting to political campaigning to running for office. Obviously, there is a gap between civic education and civic activity. Knowledge about government does not necessarily yield civic activity. We believe that what fills the gap between civic education and civic activity is civic engagement.
According to Anthony S. Laden, Associate Director of the Center for Ethics and Education at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, civic engagement “a way of interacting with others, one that is at the heart of what it is to relate to one another democratically, as citizens who regard each other as free and equal co-authors of our common lives.”1 So understood, civic engagement is primarily characterized by (a) reasoning together about the common good and (b) cultivating the virtues and dispositions necessary for flourishing in a democratic society. Laden suggests that civic engagement requires giving sincere reasons, being willing to listen and revise our position in response to others, trusting, being vulnerable, and openness to criticism. Civic engagement requires a return to humanistic values and virtues which enable a flourishing polity, such as (to quote from HFU statement of Mission and Values) “collaborative dialogue,” “openness to multiple points of view,” “ethical, logical, and creative thinking,” and “effective communication skills.”
When deliberation about the common good is successful among individuals with the proper virtues and dispositions, it manifests in concrete action (i.e., civic activity). When it is informed (through civic education), that action will be productive. So, civic engagement is not unrelated to civic education and civic activity, but it is distinct. Civic engagement is, as it were, the connective tissue between civic education and civic activity.
1 Anthony S. Laden, “Taking the Engagement in Civic Engagement Seriously,” 27.
Career Paths
As career-focused degrees have gained prominence throughout the 20th and 21st centuries, it has become increasingly difficult for narrow, job-specific programs to fully prepare students for the dynamic and evolving workforce. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the average Baby Boomer held 12.7 jobs between the ages of 18 and 56. This trend of frequent job changes is expected to continue, with a Fortune Magazine survey revealing that 91% of millennials anticipate staying in a job for less than three years—implying they will hold 15 to 20 jobs in their lifetime.
The rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) is poised to accelerate this trend by automating job functions and disrupting various sectors in ways that we are just learning about today. The future of work will demand new skills, adaptability, and a broad, foundational education.
The Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, and Sociology (PPES) degree at Holy Family University is designed to equip students with the skills they need to thrive in this shifting landscape. By integrating rigorous training in research, analysis, and critical thinking, the program prepares students to navigate both the complexities of the modern business world and the challenges of an increasingly interconnected global society.
Internships & Employment
A Bachelor of Arts in Philosophy, Political Science, Economics, and Sociology (PPES) provides students with a strong interdisciplinary foundation, making them well-suited for a variety of careers across multiple sectors. Below are some career paths/internship opportunities students can pursue with a PPES degree:
- Government & Public Policy
- Business & Economics
- Law & Advocacy
- International Relations & Development
- Journalism, Media & Communications
- Education & Research
- Entrepreneurship & Innovation
The broad skill set the PPES program provides will allow its graduates to remain adaptable, ethical, and effective as they pursue fulfilling careers in a rapidly changing world, while also helping them frame how they can improve the world around them while finding their place in it.
PPES Faculty
Dan Bramer, Ph.D.
Assistant Dean of Humanities
Associate Professor
Associate Professor Philosophy | School of Arts & Sciences
Patrick Casey, Ph.D.
Associate Professor
Philosophy | School of Arts & Sciences
John Dellipriscoli
Assistant Professor
Economics | School of Business & Technology
Jenai Grigg
Assistant Dean of General Education
Professor
Sociology | School of Arts & Sciences
Ankit Lal, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Business | School of Business & Technology
Hadass Silver, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Political Science | School of Arts & Sciences
Emma V. Slonina, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor
Political Science | School of Arts & Sciences
Program Information
- Degree Awarded
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- Bachelor of Arts
- Program Type
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- Major
- Program Location
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- Main Campus - Northeast Philadelphia