2024-2025 Binghamton University Academic Guide
Philosophy, Politics, and Law, BA
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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 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 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 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. Students in the major choose one of four concentrations: philosophy, politics, and law; public policy; global affairs and international law; and political and ethical theory.
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Admission Requirements
Students interested in becoming a PPL major should see the Philosophy Department secretary for instructions on how to meet with a PPL advisor.
University General Education Requirements
All Binghamton University undergraduate students are required to fulfill this set of university-wide requirements to ensure that every graduate acquires the essential core of a SUNY university undergraduate education. Please refer to the General Education page for more information.
Harpur College Requirements
All students in Harpur College must fulfill additional requirements designated by Harpur College to complement and extend the general education requirements. Please refer to the Harpur College of Arts and Sciences page for more information.
Philosophy, Politics, and Law Concentration Course Requirements
Students must take 12 courses to fulfill the below requirements for the PPL major Of these 12 courses, 6 must be at the 300-level or above:
B. One of the Following 100-level PHIL Courses
C. One of the Following Courses in Philosophy
Students must choose one of the following four courses:
- PHIL 455 Advanced Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 456 Problems in Law and Political Theory
- PHIL 457 Problems in Law and Morality
- PHIL 458 Problems in Law and History of Philosophy
D. Additional Course Requirements
- Two political science courses from List B*, at least one of which must be 300-level or above
- Two history courses from List C*
- Four courses in Philosophy, Political Science, History, or cognates from the Lists A, B, C, or D
Public Policy Concentration Course Requirements
Students must take 12 courses to fulfill the below requirements for the PPL major. Of these 12 courses, 6 must be at the 300-level or above:
B. One of the Following 100-level PHIL Courses
Students must choose one of the following four courses:
C. One of the Following Courses in Philosophy
Students must choose one of the following courses:
- PHIL 455 Advanced Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 456 Problems in Law and Political Theory
- PHIL 457 Problems in Law and Morality
- PHIL 458 Problems in Law and History of Philosophy
D. Additional Course Requirements
- One PLSC course in Philosophy, Politics and Law at the 300 level or above
- One additional PLSC course in Philosophy, Politics and Law
- Two HIST courses in Philosophy, Politics and Law
- One Quantitative Analysis course in Philosophy, Politics and Law**
- Three additional courses in Philosophy, Politics and Law
- One course in Statistics
Note:
Students must take at least six Public Policy courses (24 credits) within the Philosophy, Politics & Law program.
*Please see the degree requirements page on the PPL website for the Public Policy course list.
**This requirement may overlap with requirement C as well as those under D
Global Affairs and International Law Concentration Course Requirements
Students must take 12 courses to fulfill the below requirements for the PPL major Of these 12 courses, 6 must be at the 300-level or above:
B. One of the Following 100-level PHIL Courses
C. One of the Following Courses in Philosophy
Students must choose one of the following courses:
- PHIL 455 Advanced Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 456 Problems in Law and Political Theory
- PHIL 457 Problems in Law and Morality
- PHIL 458 Problems in Law and History of Philosophy
D. Additional Course Requirements
- One PLSC course in Philosophy, Politics and Law at the 300 level or above
- One additional PLSC course in Philosophy, Politics and Law
- Two HIST courses in Philosophy, Politics and Law
- Four additional courses in Philosophy, Politics and Law
Note:
Students must take at least six Global Affairs and International Law courses (24 credits) within the Philosophy, Politics and Law program
*Please see the degree requirements page on the PPL website for the Global Affairs and International Law course list.
Political and Ethical Theory Concentration Course Requirements
Students must take 12 courses to fulfill the below requirements for the PPL major Of these 12 courses, 6 must be at the 300-level or above:
B. One of the Following 100-level PHIL Courses
C. One of the Following Courses in Philosophy
Students must choose one of the following courses:
- PHIL 455 Advanced Philosophy of Law
- PHIL 456 Problems in Law and Political Theory
- PHIL 457 Problems in Law and Morality
- PHIL 458 Problems in Law and History of Philosophy
D. Additional Course Requirements
- One PLSC course in Philosophy, Politics and Law at the 300 level or above
- Two HIST courses in Philosophy, Politics and Law
- Four additional courses in Philosophy, Politics and Law
- One additional PLSC course in Philosophy, Politics, and Law
Note:
Students must take at least six Political and Ethical Theory courses (24 credits) within the Philosophy, Politics and Law program.
*Please see the degree requirements page on the PPL website for the Political and Ethical Theory course list.
Additional Information About the Program
Students must earn a grade of C- or higher in courses fulfilling the major and courses cannot be taken Pass/Fail.
Substitution of courses (except courses from other universities automatically transferred into the PPL major) must be approved by the student’s PPL advisor. Substitutions of Binghamton University courses not currently included in the major will be granted only in unusual circumstances, and are considered only in the senior year. Courses taken at other universities, similar to courses in the PPL major, may be approved for inclusion in the major by the student’s PPL advisor.
For more information on the PPL BA program, please refer to the PPL website. To apply to the PPL BA program, please visit the University Admissions website.
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