Political Philosopy, Policy, and Law
Political Philosophy, Policy and Law
Political Philosophy, Policy and Law (PPL) will be a new interdisciplinary major in the College of Arts and Sciences. The program will provide undergraduate students with an opportunity to pursue intensive study of the connections between political philosophy and legal theory, legal thought and historical change, law and public policy. PPL is based firmly on the view that the study of law has a rich humanistic tradition, and that its pursuit encourages sustained reflection on fundamental values. Because the domain of law, policy and political philosophy is huge, a principal objective of the major is the integration of diverse disciplinary perspectives. But interdisciplinary dialogue on political and legal ideas, processes, doctrine, and policies can be fruitful only if the participants engage one another from a position of disciplinary strength. PPL majors will therefore be advised to complete a minor in economics, government and foreign affairs, history, or philosophy. Students will be admitted to the PPL program after a competitive application process that is normally completed at the end of the second year. Those planning to major in PPL must have a 3.4 GPA and must have taken at least two PPL prerequisite courses. The prerequisite courses are ECON 201 (Microeconomics), one course in the history of political thought, and one course in legal history and public policy. The latter two courses must be selected from the following menus:
History of Political Thought (one course)
- PLPT 301 Ancient and Medieval Political Theory
- PLPT 302 Modern Political Theory
- PHIL 356 Classical Political Philosophy
Legal History and Public Policy (one course)
- PLAP 381 Constitutional Interpretation
- HIUS 355 Early American Law
- HIUS 356 Modern American Law
Applicants for admission to the PPL major will normally have completed PPL 201 (Morality, Law and the State) as well as two of the three PPL prerequisite courses.