Introduction to Ethics, Political Economy and Public Policy
THREE WAYS TO UNDERSTAND THE WORLD
Why do people disagree about what's fair? Can you use mathematics to predict how voters will behave? What's the difference between a good argument and a persuasive one?
​
Philosophy helps us to think clearly about difficult concepts. Politics shows us how people cooperate and conflict when making collective decisions. Economics reveals how incentives shape behaviour and how markets allocate resources.
​
Over ten days in Oxford, you will learn how these three disciplines illuminate one another.
LEARN TO THINK DIFFERENTLY
After ten days in Oxford, you will notice things you previously overlooked. You will recognise when someone changes the subject in an argument. You will spot hidden assumptions behind confident claims. You will distinguish between questions that can be answered with evidence, and questions that require philosophical reasoning.
​
More importantly, you will have learnt to listen generously to people who disagree with you, and to express your own views with clarity and precision. This course is not about memorising content. It’s about developing habits of mind that will serve you throughout the rest of your life: asking "what do you mean by that?", distinguishing between facts and values, and engaging respectfully with people who disagree with you.
WHAT IS PPE?
Our curriculum covers ethical reasoning, political philosophy, history of ideas, microeconomics, and game theory. You will explore questions like: What makes an action right or wrong? When should we follow the majority rule? Why do prices change? How do people make decisions?
​
Our teaching approach combines morning lectures with precepts: small discussions in groups of six to nine students. You will focus on questions where intelligent people disagree, and you will learn to understand positions you initially reject to strengthen your own thinking.
​
After this programme, you will better understand why disagreement persists among thoughtful and intelligent people, and how to engage productively with those who see things differently.
FACULTY
You will learn from philosophers, political scientists, and economists associated with the University of Oxford and other leading British universities.
​
Our faculty are chosen not only for their academic expertise, but for their commitment to intellectual dialogue. The professors teaching this programme understand that the best way to learn PPE is through exploration rather than instruction. They will challenge your thinking, listen carefully to your responses, and take your arguments seriously even when they disagree with you. They model the intellectual honesty we cultivate amongst our students: admitting uncertainty when they don't know something, and showing you that rigorous thinking is compatible with being open to persuasion.
IS THIS RIGHT FOR ME?
This programme suits students aged 12-15 who enjoy thinking about difficult questions and want to develop stronger reasoning skills. You need not have studied philosophy, politics, or economics previously. Curiosity, open-mindedness and willingness to engage seriously with new ideas matter most.
​
The programme provides excellent preparation if you plan to study PPE or related subjects at A-level or alternative advanced qualifications. It equally suits students interested in other fields who want to strengthen their analytical thinking.
ABOUT BRASENOSE COLLEGE
Lucus Luminum takes place at Brasenose College, one of the oldest and most architecturally striking colleges of the University of Oxford. Although the John Locke Institute is not affiliated with Brasenose or the University of Oxford, we are privileged to use its beautiful rooms, dining hall, and gardens for this extraordinary course.
​
Notable alumni: William Golding, Michael Palin, Tim Harford, Sir John Mortimer, Toby Young, Kate Allen, Elias Ashmole, William Webb Ellis, Robert Runcie, Douglas Haig, and multiple prime ministers of Britain and Australia.
ARRIVAL & DEPARTURE
Arrival
​​
The check-in time is between 10 am and 11.30 am. We advise you to arrive early to give you enough time to check in, be shown to your room and receive your course timetable. A welcome talk is scheduled for 12 o'clock midday. Parents and guardians are welcome to attend.
​
If you would like to be met by a driver at the airport on the check in day, we are offering a shuttle service from Heathrow airport at an extra charge. If you plan to take the shuttle please book a flight that arrives no later than 8.30am.
​
It is your responsibility to determine whether you need a visa and, if so, what kind of visa you need and how you should apply for it. Every overseas student must have a valid passport to enter the United Kingdom. You can find all the information about UK visas here. For attending a short course in the UK, the Standard Visitor Visa is the one you would need. We can provide individual support on request for those who will need a visa.
​
We advise you to purchase travel insurance.
​​
Departure
​
On the departure day, check out is by 9am.
​
We will be running a shuttle to Heathrow airport at an extra cost. If you plan to take the shuttle please book a flight that departs no earlier than 12 midday.
​
Our staff will be available to help you on the departure day so you don't miss your flight!
OUR OXFORD
"And that sweet city with her dreaming spires,
She needs not June for beauty's heightening"
​
The student accommodation and most of the summer school activities take place at Radley College, which was founded in 1847 by William Sewell, sub-Rector of Exeter College, Oxford.
Seat of the oldest English-speaking university in the world, Oxford is also one of the world's most beautiful cities: manicured lawns enclosed within mediæval quadrangles of honey-gold stone, grand towers and halls, pretty walled gardens, and the stately progress of the Cherwell where it meets the Thames. These have become symbols of all that is finest in a proud tradition of academic excellence.
​
In obedience to the Tractarian principles of the High Church 'Oxford Movement', Sewell held that education should be conducted in an environment replete with beautiful buildings and gardens and objets d'art. For this reason he selected 800 acres on the edge of Oxford, in what must be one of the most beautiful campuses in England.
​
You will have an opportunity to explore Oxford and its colleges, and experience as much as possible of what the City of Dreaming Spires has to offer. We think the spirit of Oxford will infuse your learning experience and will invite our students to aspire to a higher standard. We hope, like many before you, you might succumb to Oxford's enchantment!
