Mar 28, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2022-2023 
    
USC Catalogue 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Philosophy, Politics and Law (BA)


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This interdisciplinary major combines, in a systematic and structured way, basic education in philosophy, political theory and elements of law. An interdisciplinary approach to the combination of these three disciplines may be of particular interest to students contemplating post-graduate work in law; those interested in a career in public service or politics; and those attracted by the rigor of philosophy and its attention to foundational issues, who are also interested in politics and law. Students are exposed to a wider range of conceptual and methodological approaches than they would in any single discipline, while learning enough philosophy and political science to leave a choice of options for graduate schools.

The major requires nine classes, one of which must be a gateway course — PHIL 315 , PHIL 320 , PHIL 336 , PHIL 337 PHIL 340,  PHIL 360  or PHIL 385  — distributed as follows.

Requirements


Note:


Students who satisfy one of their general education requirements by taking a Thematic Option course of comparable scope and content, can, at the discretion of the Director of the School of Philosophy and the undergraduate adviser for this major, substitute that course for one of the above.

One course in logic:


If selected, both PHIL 122a  and PHIL 122b  must be taken as they are considered two parts of one course.

One course in philosophy of law:


Two courses from Categories A, B and C below


The two courses must belong to different categories, and one of these courses must be a gateway course: PHIL 315 , PHIL 320 , PHIL 336 , PHIL 337 PHIL 340,  PHIL 360  or PHIL 385 . Completing a gateway course is recommended prior to enrolling in any 400-level Philosophy course. Courses taken to satisfy other requirements will not be double-counted.

One course in law:


Note:


Eligibility to graduate with departmental honors distinction requires completion of all required major courses with a minimum 3.5 GPA in upper-division Philosophy course work, in addition to completing PHIL 495  Honors Capstone. In semesters when PHIL 495  is not offered, students may enroll in PHIL 494  Senior Thesis. Enrollment in either PHIL 494  or PHIL 495  is open to senior standing students only and prior completion of at least two 400-level Philosophy courses is highly recommended. 

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