Nov 16, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2023-2024 
    
USC Catalogue 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOGUE]

Philosophy, Politics and Law (BA)


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, PHIL 362, PHIL 363  or PHIL 385  — distributed as follows.

Requirements


Note: At least 36 units must be completed as a part of the major. 

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:


Majors may graduate with departmental honors by doing the following: (i) completing all major requirements, (ii) having a GPA of at least 3.5 for upper-level courses for the major, and (iii) completing the Honors Capstone Seminar (PHIL 495 ), or if that’s not possible, the Senior Thesis Seminar (PHIL 494 ). To take PHIL 494  or PHIL 495 , students must be seniors and we recommend having completed two other 400-level Philosophy courses first.