Philosophy Major, BA - Honors Legal and Political Philosophy Concentration

The Honors Legal and Political Philosophy Concentration offers motivated students the opportunity for advanced study of law, justice, rights, and political authority. In addition to completing concentration requirements, students engage in enriched coursework and complete an honors thesis under faculty supervision. The program emphasizes independent research, critical analysis, and scholarly writing, preparing students for law school, graduate study in philosophy or political theory, and careers that demand rigorous reasoning and clear communication.

College Requirements

Arts and Sciences

Concentration Requirements

The honors legal and political philosophy concentration requires a 3.25 overall GPA with a 3.5 GPA in philosophy coursework. It consists of 31 hours of courses numbered. Four honors or honors-by-contract philosophy courses and additionally, one hour of PHIL 407 with a grade of B or better are required. Apart from the one required hour of PHIL 407 , at least 6 hours must be taken at the 400-level or above.

I. Complete A, B, and C (including four honors courses or honors-by-contract courses):

A. Complete: (9 Credit Hours)

PHIL 235* - Formal Logic 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 391* - Social and Political Philosophy 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 392* - Philosophy of Law 3 Credit Hours

B. Select one course from each area:

C. Select three courses, including one course from each area: (9 Credit Hours)

1. Epistemology, Metaphysics, Logic

PHIL 360* - Philosophy of Science 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 365* - Philosophy of Social Science 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 370* - Philosophy of Religion 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 371* - Epistemology 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 372* - Metaphysics 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 373* - Philosophy of Mind 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 375* - Philosophy of Action 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 435 - Intermediate Formal Logic 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 463* - Race, Science, and Medicine 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 464* - Feminist Philosophy of Science 3 Credit Hours

2. Value Foundations: Policy, Politics, Law

PHIL 345* - Bioethics 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 346* - Environmental Ethics 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 348* - Honors: Environmental Ethics 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 365* - Philosophy of Social Science 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 382* - Philosophy of Feminism 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 383* - Philosophy of Disability 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 390* - Philosophical Foundations of Democracy 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 441* - Global Justice and Human Rights 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 463* - Race, Science, and Medicine 3 Credit Hours
PHIL 464* - Feminist Philosophy of Science 3 Credit Hours

II. Select one additional Philosophy course: (3 Hours)

III. Complete one hour:

Must receive a grade of B or better.
No more than 1 hour may be applied toward the major.

PHIL 407 - Honors: Thesis 1-3 Credit Hours

IV. Proficiencies

Students are required to complete a 0-credit course, typically at the end of the student’s degree program.

PHIL 499 - Philosophical Proficiency 0 Credit Hours
* Meets Volunteer Core Requirement.

Undergraduates

Graduate Students