GBI is the only Great Books-focused undergraduate major at any university, public or private, in the state of Florida. In multidisciplinary courses that deal with history, politics, philosophy, art, literature, classics and.
These three required courses provide the intellectual foundation of the interdisciplinary PPEL
major.
1. ISS 1XXX: Origins of the Contemporary West: 1 (Ancients to the Scientific Revolution)
(3 credits)
2. ISS 2106: Origins of the Contemporary West: II (Enlightenment to Modernity) (3 credits)
3. AMS 2010: Civil Discourse and the American Political Order (3 credits)
ARH 2050: Introduction to the History and Principles of Art
1. ECO 2023: Principles of Microeconomics (3 credits)
2. ECO 2013: Principles of Macroeconomics (3 credits)
3. STA 2023: Introduction to Statistics I (3 credits)
4. ISS 2XXX: Legal Reasoning: Think Like a Lawyer (3 credits)
Students must take all of courses in the Seminar sequence.
1. ISS 2290: Great Books in the Ancient World (3 credits)
2. ISS 2291: Great Books in the Medieval World (3 credits)
3. ISS 2292: Great Books in the Early Modern World: The Renaissance to the Enlightenment (3 credits)
4. ISS 2293: Great Books in the Modern World (3 credits)
Students must take each of the following courses twice and must take a different topic each time.
1. ISS 3934: Political and Historical Traditions and Ideas (3 credits)
a. Variable topics will include Sovereignty, Empire, Justice and others to be developed by center faculty.
2. ISS 3932: Philosophical and Literary Traditions and Ideas (3 credits)
a. Variable topics will include Love, Death, Virtue and others to be developed by center faculty
The Senior Thesis (6 credit hours)
A 35–50-page senior thesis offers students a chance to produce a sustained piece of writing on
a topic of the student’s choosing. Students will research and write the thesis across their
senior year in close consultation with a faculty advisor in the Hamilton Center. The senior
thesis is a requirement for graduation.
1. ISS 4XXX: Thesis Writing and Workshop (3 credits)
a. Seminar-style workshop to help students convert a course paper into a longer thesis for
graduation.
b. Prerequisite: 6 credits ISS or AMS at 3000-level; Great Books and Ideas major of junior or
senior standing.
2. ISS 4XXX: Senior Thesis (3 credits)
a. Independent writing under the advisement of a thesis advisor.
b. Prerequisite: 6 credits ISS or AMS at 3000-level; Great Books and Ideas major of senior
standing; successful completion of ISS 4XXX: Thesis Writing and Workshop.
Corporate Lawyer
Nonprofit & Religious Organizations Lawyer
Human Rights Advocate
Environmental Lawyer
Teaching
Research
Admissions Counselor
Financial Aid
Administrator
Policy Researcher
International Specialist
Politician
Legislative Analyst
Lobbyist
Public Administration
Political Consultant
Campaign Manager
Diplomat
Market Research Analyst
Brand Manager
Digital Marketing Strategist
Public Relations Specialist
Entrepreneur/Startup Founder
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Chief Operating Officer (COO)
Management Consultant
PPEL stands for Philosophy, Politics, Economics and Law. It is an multidisciplinary Bachelor of Arts program that examines the intersection of these key fields, offering students a comprehensive understanding of how these disciplines interact and influence societal issues. The program also develops skills that are transferable and useful for many different careers. The program will offer both a major and minor.
Great Books and Ideas (GBI) is a multidisciplinary Bachelor of Arts program at the Hamilton Center. It focuses on exploring seminal texts and fundamental ideas that have shaped Western civilization, preparing students for critical analysis, rigorous debate and effective communication. GBI’s multidisciplinary classes will deal with history, politics, philosophy, art, literature, classics and more. This program will offer both a major and a minor.
PPEL prepares students to address the biggest challenges facing governments, businesses, and communities around the world today. These problems are not only political, or economic, or legal; they are multi-faceted, with intersecting moral, political, economic, and legal considerations. To understand these problems, students’ training must go beyond the boundaries of any single traditional academic discipline. Through the coursework in the PPEL program, students will acquire foundational analytical and quantitative skills; they will learn to analyze problems holistically by integrating multiple disciplinary perspectives; and they will learn to apply their new skills and knowledge to real world problems through case studies and a capstone senior research project.
Great Books & Ideas (GBI) allows students interested in the humanities to confront the deepest questions about human existence thought a multidisciplinary program. It is premised on the idea that ‘all branches of knowledge are connected together’ and it offers students the chance to get to know ‘the best which has been said and thought in the world’. GBI majors will learn through discussion-based seminars focused on the great books which have stood the test of time. Along the way students will develop the ability to write and speak clearly, cleanly and persuasively.
The curriculum includes:
Throughout your degree:
At graduation you can expect:
Graduates with a degree in PPEL often pursue careers in
Graduates with a degree in Great Books and Ideas are well-prepared for careers in:
To apply to the Hamilton Center programs, you must first be admitted to the University of Florida. Visit the University of Florida admissions website and complete the online application for next steps.
The low student-to-faculty ratio at the Hamilton Center ensures personalized attention and mentorship opportunities, fostering a supportive academic environment conducive to intellectual growth and development.
For more information about the Hamilton Center curriculum, programs, admission process, and student life, contact our academic advisors to schedule an informational meeting.
