Political Philosophy, BA

Contact:

Dennis Rasmussen
Political Science
313B Maxwell Hall
315.443.5877

Faculty

See faculty listings under the programs in Philosophy and in Political Science .

The Political Philosophy major enables students to take courses across a range of academic disciplines that tackle some of the biggest questions that we all face, such as: What is justice? What is freedom? What constitutes a good society? What constitutes a good life? In addition to core courses in moral and political theory, students may pursue tracks in the history of political thought, law, ethics and politics, or human nature and political theory.

For all Arts and Sciences|Maxwell students, successful completion of a bachelor’s degree in this major requires a minimum of 120 credits, 96 of which must be Arts and Sciences|Maxwell credits, completion of the Liberal Arts Core requirements, and the requirements for this major that are listed below.

Dual Enrollments:

Students dually enrolled in Newhouse* and Arts and Sciences|Maxwell will complete a minimum of 122 credits, with at least 90 credits in Arts and Sciences|Maxwell coursework and an Arts and Sciences|Maxwell major.

*Students dually enrolled in the College of Arts and Sciences|Maxwell as first year students must complete the Liberal Arts Core. Students who transfer to the dual program after their first year as singly enrolled students in the Newhouse School will satisfy general requirements for the dual degree program by completing the Newhouse Core Requirements.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Explain core concepts in political philosophy (such as liberty, equality, rights, federalism, etc.)

2. Identify and reconstruct political arguments, including the ability to identify premises and conclusions in political arguments

3. Read and critically evaluate literature in political thought, including historical texts, scholarly publications, and public scholarship

4. Write short analytical essays in political thought

5. Apply theories and concepts to relevant political case studies

Major Requirements

The program requires a total of 30 credits.

Of these, 12 credits are selected from the following courses:

PHI 125 - Political Theory
PSC 125 - Political Theory
PHI 175 - Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
PHI 191 - The Meaning of Life
PHI 192 - Introduction to Moral Theory
PHI 305 - Classical Political Philosophy
PSC 385 - Classical Political Philosophy
PHI 317 - Political Philosophy: The Social Contract Tradition and its Critics
PHI 417 - Contemporary Political Philosophy
No more than two 100-level courses can count towards these 12 credits.

In addition, students choose two of the following four areas

In addition, students choose two of the following four areas, and take nine credits in each: (1) history of political thought; (2) law; (3) ethics and politics; and (4) human nature and political theory. Each course selection needs the approval of a political philosophy advisor. The courses listed below satisfy these area requirements. However, additional courses in philosophy or political science, such as selected topics courses, may be approved, as may certain courses in other departments such as history or sociology, as well as appropriate courses given outside of the arts and sciences. Each political philosophy student consults with the advisor about course selections each semester. The illustrative examples are:

Course Catalog

Political Philosophy, BA

Contact:

Faculty

Student Learning Outcomes

Major Requirements

Of these, 12 credits are selected from the following courses:

In addition, students choose two of the following four areas

(1) History of political thought:

(2) Law:

(3) Ethics and politics:

(4) Human nature and political theory: