2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Philosophy, Politics and Law
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 Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
The study of the law should be introduced as part of a liberal education, to train and enrich the mind… . I am convinced that, like history, economics and metaphysics-and perhaps even to a greater degree than these-the law could be advantageously studied with a view to the general development of the mind.
- Justice Louis Brandeis
Law’s influence on our lives is pervasive. It limits and protects us, from before our birth until after we are long dead. Law shapes our lives in every respect: economic, personal, professional and political. To study law seriously, in all its facets, leads far beyond the narrow confines of legal cases to perennial questions of law’s origins, operation and justification. Its study within the liberal arts crosses disciplinary boundaries; law must be viewed from many different vantage points.
Philosophy, Politics and Law (PPL) is an interdisciplinary BA program designed for both liberal arts students and students interested in law school. Though many enter law school, other majors go on to graduate school or pursue careers in teaching, business or government. Courses for the major, selected for their content, include classes in philosophy, political science and history, along with selected cognate courses from other areas. Students are thus able to tailor the major to suit their own interests and needs.
The director of the philosophy, politics and law program is in the Department of Philosophy. Additional faculty members are also designated as advisors.
See our website for more information and updates.
Harpur College Requirements
Harpur College students must complete the following requirements in addition to those listed for the major:
- 126 credits
- 94 liberal arts and sciences credits
- Minimum of 46 upper-level credits
- Completion of the Harpur College writing requirement (four to five courses, as described in the All-College Writing section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin. Maximum of one C/J course and two W courses, may be transferred).
- Minimum of 44 credits in residence in Harpur College
- 2.0 or higher GPA
Harpur College requirements are described in detail in the Requirements for Graduation section of the Harpur College Undergraduate Information section of the Bulletin.
Honors in Philosophy, Politics and Law
Honors may be pursued through the unique Pell Honors Program, led each year by a faculty member in the Philosophy Department. The Pell program is supported by the generous contributions of Owen Pell ‘80, LLD ‘11, who shares the vision that students in the liberal arts should have opportunities to pursue intensive writing and research with individual faculty. The program includes the development of an independent research paper, participation in a juried conference and the possibility of publication in a book series through an academic press. Honors may also be pursued through independent study with a faculty member in any PPL-related discipline. Your advisor will have details about requirements.
Institute for Philosophy, Politics and Law
PPL hosts various activities through its PPL Institute, including a visiting scholars program, a PPL lecture series, informational sessions about law school and other professions, and regular lunches between PPL students and faculty. The institute hosts most of the non-curricular activities of the PPL program and is made possible through the generous contributions of PPL alumni.
Addendum: MATH 148 and BE 304 removed on 6/6/2023; PHIL 150 Technology, Ethics, and Policy added to each track on 6/16/2023; Changed Global and International Affairs to Global Affairs and International Law on 6/16/23.
Programs
Return to: Harpur College of Arts and Sciences
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