Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics/Bachelor of Communication
2025 Deakin University Handbook
| Year | 2025 course information |
|---|---|
| Award granted | Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics/Bachelor of Communication |
| Deakin course code | D337 |
| Faculty | Faculty of Arts and Education |
| Campus | Offered at Burwood (Melbourne), Waurn Ponds (Geelong) |
| Credit points | |
| Online | Yes |
| Duration | 4 years full-time or part-time equivalent |
| Course Map - enrolment planning tool | The course map for new students commencing from Trimester 2, 2025 will be available soon. Course maps for commencement in previous years are available on the Course Maps webpage or please contact a Student Adviser in Student Central. |
| Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) recognition | The award conferred upon completion is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 7. |
This course will be offered from Trimester 2, 2025. | |
Course sub-headings
- Course overview
- Career opportunities
- Participation requirements
- Mandatory student checks
- Alternative exits
- Course rules
- Majors
- Discipline sequences
- Course structure
- Work experience
- Details of discipline sequences
- Fees and charges
Course overview
Transform your understanding of the world and your ability to influence it with our Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (PPE) and Bachelor of Communication. This double degree teaches you how to be an ethical leader, skilled communicator and opinion shaper. Whether your goal is to influence policy, lead public relations campaigns, or work in NGOs or private enterprise, you will gain the knowledge and skills needed to excel. Taught by leading academics and researchers from four disciplines we are the only university offering this innovative double degree. At Deakin you will learn the nature of public decision-making, exploring resource management issues, and gain the skills to analyse business problems in line with social justice. Utilising different communication mediums, you will develop specialist skills with the option to major in advertising, digital and social media, journalism or public relations.
Want to analyse society, excel in leadership and communicate with impact?
As a student of politics, philosophy and economics, you will focus on three distinct yet complementary disciplines to understand how societies govern and determine values.
Politics
Explore systems and different forms of government.
Examine relationships between countries and cultures.
Articulate solutions for real-world political problems.
Philosophy
Develop critical thinking and logical rigor skills.
Learn how to question assumptions.
Explore ethics, justice and moral challenges.
Economics
Learn how business, government and consumers shape society.
Ask questions about issues from inequality to environmental sustainability.
Through the Bachelor of Communication, you will learn from industry practitioners how the principles of ethical communication and technology apply in the modern media landscape. You will develop the critical thinking and practical media skills to target audiences effectively.
Some of the key areas you will explore include:
implementing social and digital media content strategies
how to engage audiences with podcasts and videos
strategic communication planning for advertising, digital and public relations
copywriting and ideation
creating inspiring campaigns or events
managing reputations.
Your communication skills will be harnessed at Deakin’s industry-grade, world-class facilities. Take advantage of our advanced digital imaging facilities, darkrooms, newsroom, and Deakin Studios (Burwood) – a virtual production, TV, film and animation studio.
You will also benefit from real-world opportunities such as internships, industry placements, global experiential learning programs and collaborative projects that bridge politics, philosophy, economics, and communication. There will be opportunities for you to network and engage with the PPE Advisory Board, and to attend talks and events.
On graduation you will have a solid foundation in politics, philosophy and economics and the communication skills to achieve impact in a changing world. You will be ready to succeed in a range of roles in government policy, strategy, consulting or business management.
With your high-level communication skills, you will also be qualified for roles that are at the intersection of these degree programs such as a public relations specialist, speech writer, political adviser and more.
Career opportunities
You will graduate with the crucial skills to work across industries, from government to private enterprise to the non-profit sector. You will also be exceptionally qualified for current and emerging roles that demand skills that lie at the intersection of these degree programs, such as:
- Advocacy roles in not-for-profit organisations and NGO’s
- Business management
- Community engagement specialist
- Community leadership roles
- Editor
- Government relations manager
- International relations roles
- Journalist
- Lobbyist
- News reporter or presenter
- Policy adviser
- Politician
- Public relations/media and communication manager
- Speech writer
- Strategy consulting
Participation requirements
Reasonable adjustments to participation and other course requirements will be made for students with a disability. More information available at Disability support services.
Mandatory student checks
Any unit which contains work integrated learning, a community placement or interaction with the community may require a police check, Working with Children Check or other check.
Alternative exits
| Bachelor of Communication (A318) | |
| Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics (A336) |
Course rules
To complete the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics/Bachelor of Communication students must pass 32 credit points and meet the following course rules to be eligible to graduate.
- DAI001 Academic Integrity and Respect at Deakin (0-credit-point compulsory unit) in their first study period
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics, including:
- 7 credit points of core units
- Two discipline streams (4 credit points each), as described under the course A336 Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics
- 1 credit point Politics, Philosophy and Economics elective unit drawn from the discipline study units or employability study units
- 16 credit points from the Bachelor of Communication, including:
- 3 credit point of thematic core units
- 3 credit points of employability sequence units
- One major sequence (8 credit points) as described under the course A318 Bachelor of Communication
- 2 credit points of Communication elective units at level 2 or 3
- Course requirements for both the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics/Bachelor of Communication must be satisfied.
Students are required to meet the University's academic progress and conduct requirements. See the enrolment codes and terminology to help make sense of the University's vocabulary.
Majors
Discipline sequences
2 discipline streams (4 credit points each) from the following:
- Philosophy
- Politics and Policy Studies
- Economic Policy
Course structure
Bachelor of Communication units
Communication core:
| ACC100 | Gutenberg to Zuckerberg: Communication in Everyday Life |
| ACC213 | Dilemmas, Defamation, Deception and Disinformation |
| ACC310 | Communication Futures |
Employability Sequence:
| AWL100 | Your Future Direction |
Plus one credit point from:
| AWL200 | Leadership and Transformation |
| AWL201 | Communication and Persuasive Presentation |
| AWL202 | Entrepreneurial Mindset |
| AWL203 | Expand Your Experience |
Plus one credit point from:
| AWL300 | Internship |
| AWL301 | Enhance Your Experience |
| AWL302 | Your Professional Story |
Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics units
Core units:
| AIP107 | Introduction to Politics: Democracy, Power, Resistance and Change |
| ASP108 | Critical Thinking |
| MAE120 | Money, Growth and the Economy |
| AIP230 | Policy and How It Shapes Us |
| ASP214 | Justice and Equality: Liberalism to Decolonisation |
| ASP216 | Ethics in Global Society |
| MAE208 | Growth Inequality and Conflict |
Work experience
The Work Integrated opportunities within the Bachelor of Politics, Philosophy and Economics/Bachelor of Communication are conveyed within the structure of the Bachelor of Communication. Within the Bachelor of Communication a compulsory three credit point Employability/WIL sequence, embedded within the course across each year level, offers scaffolded career development learning and WIL experiences to ready students for their post-study futures. Experiences range from the completion of tasks in environments that simulate the workplace to volunteering and service learning, study tours and other global experiential learning programs, collaborative team-based projects for industry or community, and internships.
Authentic learning activities and assessment enable students to develop knowledge of career strategies and pathways; enhance their discipline-specific expertise while building employability skills and their sense of purpose and professional identity; connect and network with industry, community and peers; and enhance their capacity to make meaningful contributions to society and within work environments that are increasingly characterised by rapid change, automation and digitisation. Students will develop an enterprising mindset that allows them to construct a rewarding career across multiple positions and sectors.
Details of discipline sequences
Philosophy
To complete the Philosophy stream, 4 credit points of discipline study units must be chosen including at least 2 credit points at level 3.
| ASP129 | Love, Sex and Death |
| ASP211 | Freedom and Power: Existentialism and Beyond |
| ASP215 | Philosophy, Happiness, and the Good Life |
| ASP228 | Philosophy, Art, Film |
| ASP299 | Minds in Action: Philosophy of Human and Artificial Intelligence (AI) |
| ASP309 | Critique and Creativity: Contemporary French Philosophy |
| ASP326 | Language and Reality |
Politics and Policy Studies
To complete the Politics and Policy stream, 4 credit points of discipline study units must be chosen including at least 2 credit points at level 3.
| AIP116 | Visions and Values in Politics |
| AIP208 | Government and Politics of the United States |
| AIP209 | The Politics of Asylum in Australia and Asia |
| AIP211 | Politics of Poverty and Prosperity |
| AIP243 | Europe's Political Transformations |
| AIP245 | Environmental Politics |
| AIP301 | Political Parties and Social Movements |
| AIR200 | Global Capitalism and Power |
| AIP347 | Media and Politics: Campaign Strategies |
AIR348 Activists Beyond Borders [No longer available for enrolment]
Economic Policy
To complete the Economic Policy stream, 4 credit points of discipline study units must be chosen including at least 2 credit points at level 3.
| MMM132 | Management |
| MIS171 | Business Analytics |
| MAE203 | The Global Economy |
| MAE213 | International Trade |
| MAE214 | Business Strategy in the Digital Economy |
| MAE215 | Behavioural Economics for Business and Policy |
| MAE233 | Business and Climate Change |
| MAE266 | Black Market Economics: Exploring the Underworld of Illicit Trade |
| MAE341 | Global Challenges in Business and Policy: Food, Water and Climate |
| MAE302 | Macroeconomics of Open Economies |
| MAE304 | Labour and Health Economics |
| MAE305 | Energy, Environment and Sustainability |
Course duration
Course duration may be affected by delays in completing course requirements, such as failing of units or accessing or completing placements.
Further information
Student Central can help you with course planning, choosing the right units and explaining course rules and requirements.
- Contact Student Central
Fees and charges
Fees and charges vary depending on your course, the type of fee place you hold, your commencement year and your study load.
For further information regarding tuition fees, other fees and charges, invoice due dates, withdrawal dates, payment methods visit our Current students fees website.