Dec 02, 2024  
USC Catalogue 2016-2017 
    
USC Catalogue 2016-2017 [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 300 , PHIL 315 , PHIL 320 , PHIL 340  or PHIL 360  — distributed as follows.

Requirements


Note:


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

One course in logic:


(Note: 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 300 , PHIL 315 , PHIL 320 , PHIL 340  or PHIL 360 . Students are required to take a gateway course before enrolling in any 400-level course in philosophy.

One course in law:


Note:


Students in the major may enroll in a capstone seminar in philosophy if they have satisfied the general requirements: a GPA of 3.0 in major course work; a course in logic, and at least one 400-level course in philosophy, completed prior to the capstone seminar.