Program Overview

Political Philosophy B.A.

Tackle some of our time’s most pressing challenges, focusing on the fundamental nature of government, political authority, freedom and law. For example, consider how societies can and should function.

About this Program

• Use the resources of both the Department of Philosophy in the College of Arts and Sciences and the Department of Political Science in the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs through this interdisciplinary program.
• Tap into faculty expertise on topics like race, capitalism, terrorism, freedom, equality and rights in the history of political thought, modern politics and ethics.
• Learn from visiting scholars who have discussed such topics as human cloning, the ethics of war, free speech and how the ultra-rich avoid taxes and why this matters for democracy.
• Conduct research and submit your work to undergraduate journals and conferences.
• Join the Philosophy Club, a student-led group that meets for informal discussion, guest lectures and movie nights.
• Compete for the Peterfreund Prize, a $1,000 award recognizing rising seniors for their exceptional philosophical achievements.
• Prepare for a career in a variety of fields, including law, business, journalism, nonprofit work and government.
• Gain ideal preparation for law school as studying philosophy has been shown to help students perform well on standardized tests like the LSAT, GMAT and GRE.

Program Information

• Degree Type: Major
• Outcome: B.A.
• Modality: In-person
• College or School: College of Arts and Sciences
• Career Path: Humanities and Languages, Law and Government, Social Sciences

Curriculum

After taking introductory coursework sampled from topics like political theory, social and political philosophy, and moral theory, choose to specialize in two of these four areas: history of political thought, law, ethics and politics, and human nature and political theory.

Student Learning Outcomes

• Explain core concepts in political philosophy, such as liberty, equality, rights and federalism.
• Identify and reconstruct political arguments, including the ability to identify premises and conclusions in political arguments.
• Read and critically evaluate literature in political thought, including historical texts, scholarly publications and public scholarship.
• Write short analytical essays in political thought.
• Apply theories and concepts to relevant political case studies.

Sample Courses

• Introduction to Social and Political Philosophy
• Foundations of American Political Thought
• The Creation of the U.S. Constitution
• Philosophy of Feminism
• The Politics of Citizenship

Extracurricular Opportunities

• Student organization: Philosophy Club
  • The Philosophy Club aims to take philosophy out of the classroom by hosting informal discussions, guest lectures, movie nights, philosophy cafes (thought experiments and games with coffee and cookies), professional development workshops and more. Topics are based on club members’ personal interests, and membership is open to students from all majors.
• Student organization: Mock Trial at Syracuse University
  • Members of Syracuse’s mock trial team gain skills that are relevant for careers in law, communication and research industries. Members can also travel to and participate in trial competitions.
• Research: Peterfreund Prize
  • Syracuse University juniors and seniors are eligible for nomination for the undergraduate Peterfreund Prize. This $1,000 award recognizes keen interest in philosophical questions and outstanding work in philosophy courses.
• Hands-on learning opportunities: Aurantium
  • Read about current student research in Aurantium (from the Latin for "orange"), our in-house undergraduate philosophy journal.

Related Programs

• History B.A.
  • The B.A. in history provides the analytical and research skills needed for future success in this diverse field, providing students the opportunity to specialize by region, time period or issue area.
• International Relations B.A.
  • The international relations degree program entails a rigorous—yet highly flexible—course of study, drawing on courses from across Maxwell's social sciences departments.
• Philosophy B.A.
  • Study ideas and arguments, pursue fundamental truths and seek a comprehensive understanding of the world. Develop analytical and communication skills that are important in many careers.
• Political Science B.A.
  • Political science students gain research, critical thinking and writing skills that help prepare them for careers in law, public service, electoral politics and public policy, among others.
• Sociology B.A.
  • Students receive a broad overview of sociology and master specific analytic skills, including quantitative methods, qualitative methods, social theory, critical thinking and clear writing.