B. A. Degree

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

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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 respects no 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 and students interested in law school. Though many enter law school, other majors go on to graduate school or pursue professional 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.

 

How to Become a PPL Major:

If you are interested in becoming a major, follow these steps: Go to the 12th floor Library Tower and ask Philosophy secretary Melanie Yaworski or Jody Eastlick for a PPL information packet. Next, make an appointment to meet with a PPL advisor. The advisors are listed below, assigned according to the initial of your last name. Review the information packet before you meet your advisor and bring them with you to the meeting. The advisor will sign you into the major and answer any questions you might have about the major.

 

PPL Faculty Advising

Fall 2009

NAME & EMAIL	OFFICE HOURS	OFFICE	PHONE
BAR ON Ami@binghamton.edu		LT 1208	7-6198
FRIEDMAN Friedman@binghamton.edu		LT 1211	7-2443
GOTLIB AGotlib@binghamton.edu		LT 1203	7-3725
GUAY RGuay@binghamton.edu		LT 1212	7-3983
KNAPP CKnapp@binghamton.edu		LT 1215	7-3660
PENSKY MPensky@binghamton.edu		LT 1202	7-4163
PREUS APreus@binghamton.edu		TU 141 LT1209	7-2646, 2886
SCALET SScalet@binghamton.edu		LT 1217 UDC 356	7-2357 7-9192
TESSMAN ltessman@binghamton.edu		LT 1216	7-2269
ZINKIN mzinkin@binghamton.edu

 

Join the PPL Listserv

We often send e-mail messages about the PPL program and upcoming events through the PPL listserv. To join this listserv, send an e-mail to listserv@listserv.binghamton.edu. Do not add any subject line. In the body of the message write: subscribe PPLMAJ-L@listserv.binghamton.edu Your Full Name
Be sure that you send the e-mail from the e-mail address that you want added to the listserv, and be sure to put a single space in between "subscribe" and "PPLMAJ-L@listserv. binghamton.edu" as well as a space between "PPLMAJ-L@listserv.binghamton.edu" and your name.

 

Some Statistics

The B.A. Program in Philosophy, Politics, and Law attracts over 250 majors. It is one of the largest majors on campus and distinctive for its interdisciplinary scope. A recent survey indicates that about half the students pursue law school after graduation and about half enter business, teaching, graduate study, or other professions.

The study of philosophy within this interdisciplinary liberal arts major offers excellent preparation for law school and graduate study. Students potentially interested in law school should meet with the Pre-Law Advising Office early in their studies for advice about preparing for law school. Similarly, students potentially interested in graduate studies should meet with an academic advisor in the relevant discipline of study. A National Institute of Education study of college graduates from 1964-1982 ranked student performance on several standardized tests by major. Philosophy ranked among the top majors across several categories. Here were the results:

Course Requirements

TRACK 1: TRADITIONS OF WESTERN LAW AND GOVERNMENT COURSE REQUIREMENTS Students must take a total of 12 courses to fulfill the requirements for the major. Four courses must be in Philosophy, from list A (PHIL 201, 146 or 242, 345 and one elective); two courses must be in Latin; and four courses must be in History, from list C. The remaining two courses may be selected from among all the classes listed in lists A-D. At least six of the courses must be 300 level or above.
A.	Philosophy Required: PHIL 201 Plato and Aristotle PHIL 146 Law and Justice or 242 Topics in Classical Political   Philosophy PHIL 345 Philosophy of Law Optional Philosophy: PHIL 121 Methods of Reasoning PHIL 122 Elementary Logic PHIL 146 Law and Justice PHIL 242 Topics in Classical Political Philosophy PHIL 332 Medieval Philosophy PHIL 344 Buddhist Ethics PHIL 401 Plato PHIL 402 Aristotle PHIL 403 Topics in Ancient Philosophy (of any letter/title) PHIL 458 Aristotle's Ethics and Politics (of any letter/title)
B.	Latin Required: 2 semesters of Latin, at the level appropriate to the student's background
C.	History Required: HIST 101 Foundations of Western Civilization HIST 300 Ancient Law and Society HIST 302 European Law from Justinian to Blackstone Optional History (any one of these is required): HIST 202 The Greek World HIST 203 The Rise and Fall of Rome HIST 204 The Early Middle Ages HIST 205 The High Middle Ages HIST 206 Early Renaissance Europe HIST 207 Reformation and Renaissance Europe HIST 208 Privilege and Protest in Early Modern Europe HIST 213 England: Prehistory to the War of the Roses HIST 310 Revolutionary and Napoleonic Europe
D.	Cognates (all are optional) CLAS 382A Ancient Sexuality and Gender ENG 230 Medieval Literature ENG 330 Topics in Medieval Literature (of any letter/title) ENG 331 Old English Literature ENG 333 Women and Society in Medieval Literature GRK One course in Greek language at the level appropriate to   student's background JUST 241 Biblical History: Hebrew Origins of the Exile JUST 242: Jewish History: Second Temple Period JUST 243: Medieval Jewish History JUST 244: Modern Jewish History JUST 271 Women in Jewish Law JUST 287 Fundamentals of Jewish Law JUST 381 Topics in Jewish Thought and Society: Biblical to Rabbinic   Periods (of any letter/title) PLSC 375 International Law PLSC 380V War and World Politics PPL 483 Advanced Topics in Philosophy, Politics, and Law (PPL in   Britain) PPL 487 Topics in Philosophy, Politics, and Law (of any letter/title) PPL 498A and 499A Honors Tutorial I / Honors Tutorial II

TRACK 2:  AMERICAN LAW AND GOVERNMENT COURSE REQUIREMENTS Student must take a total of 12 courses to fulfill the requirements for the major.  Four courses must be in Philosophy (146; either 147, 148, or 149; 345; and either 455, 456, 457 or 458 of any letter/title); any two Political Science courses from list B; and any two History courses from list C.  The remaining four courses may be selected from among all the classes listed under Philosophy, Political Science, History or Cognates.  At least half of the courses must be 300 level or above.
A.	Philosophy Required: PHIL 146 Law and Justice PHIL 147 Markets, Ethics and Law or PHIL 148 Medical Ethics or PHIL   149 Environmental Ethics and Policy PHIL 345 Philosophy of Law PHIL 455 Advanced Philosophy of Law (of any letter/title) or   PHIL 456 Problems in Law and Political Theory (of any letter/title)   or PHIL 457 Problems in Law and Morality (of any letter/title) or  PHIL 458   Problems in Law and History of Philosophy (of any   letter/title) Optional Philosophy: PHIL 121 Methods of Reasoning or PHIL 122 Elementary Logic PHIL 140 Introduction to Ethics PHIL 147 Markets, Ethics and Law PHIL 148 Medical Ethics PHIL 149 Environmental Ethics and Policy PHIL 242 Classics in Political Philosophy PHIL 340 Ethical Theory PHIL 344 Buddhist Ethics PHIL 403 Topics in Ancient Philosophy (of any letter/title) PHIL 455 Advanced Philosophy of Law (of any letter/title) PHIL 456 Problems in Law and Political Theory (of any letter/title) PHIL 457 Problems in Law and Morality (of any letter/title) PHIL 458 Problems in Law and the History of Philosophy (of any   letter/title) PHIL 488 Topics in Social and Political Philosophy (of any letter/title) PPL 480 Advanced Topics in Philosophy and Law (PPL in Britain) PPL 498A/499A Honors Tutorial I / Honors Tutorial II
B.	Political Science (minimum of two required) PLSC 111 Introduction to American Politics PLSC 113 Introduction to Comparative Politics PLSC 115 Introduction to Ideas and Politics PLSC 117 World Politics PLSC 215 Environmental Policy PLSC 219 Pluralism, Prejudice and Public Law PLSC 300 Political Psychology PLSC 318 Contemporary Democracy PLSC 319 Issues in World Politics PLSC 320 Public Administration PLSC 321 American Presidency PLSC 322 American Political Parties and Pressure Groups PLSC 323 The Congress in American Politics PLSC 324 Campaigns and Elections PLSC 325 Ethics and U. S. Foreign Policy PLSC 326 American State Politics PLSC 327 American Foreign Policy PLSC 328 Public Policy and Political Process PLSC 329 Public Law PLSC 331 Constitutional Law and Politics PLSC 333 Civil Rights and Liberties PLSC 339 Criminal Justice PLSC 340 Public Opinion PLSC 348 Human Rights PLSC 360 Political Behavior PLSC 366: US Labor Politics, Policy and Law PLSC 369 American Electoral Behavior PLSC 373 American Political Thought PLSC 375 International Law   PLSC 380 Topics in World Politics (of any letter/title)  PLSC 382 Topics in American Politics (of any letter/title) PLSC 384 Topics in Policy Analysis (of any letter/title) PLSC 387 Topics in Political Theory (of any letter/title) PLSC 389 Topics in Comparative Politics (of any letter/title) PLSC 419 Interest Groups PLSC 420 Judicial Politics and Behavior PLSC 421 American Politics: Congress PLSC 424 American Political Process PLSC 425 The American Congress, Structure and Power PLSC 426 Voting Rights PLSC 452 Evolution of Criminal Justice System PLSC 456 Environmental Policy Analysis PLSC 474 Voting Behavior PLSC 481 Seminar in American Politics (of any letter/title) PLSC 482 Topics in Policy Analysis (of any letter/title) PLSC 484 Seminar in Special Topics in Public Law (of any letter/title) PLSC 487 Contemporary American Political Thought PPL 481 Advanced Topics in Political Science and Law (PPL in Britain)
C.	History (minimum of two required) HIST 103 Foundations of America (of any letter/title) HIST 104 Modern American Civilization (of any letter/title) HIST 250 Colonial America HIST 251 Revolutionary America HIST 253 Civil War and Reconstruction HIST 257 American Working Class Since 1877 HIST 264 Immigration and Ethnicity in the US HIST 266 U.S. Women since 1874 HIST 267A Asian American History HIST 268 Native American Culture and History HIST 280G African American History to 1865 HIST 280H African American History since 1825 HIST 300 Ancient Law and Society HIST 302 Legal History: Justinian to Blackstone HIST 310 Revolutionary and Napoleonic Europe HIST 333 Human Rights Since 1945 HIST 336 Slavery, Nature, Empire HIST 345 The Holocaust HIST 351 19th Century US History and Literature HIST 356 American Legal History HIST 362 U.S. in the 1960s HIST 380 Special Topics in US History (of any letter/title) HIST 386B Global; Histories of Terrorism HIST 386W The Middle East and the US HIST 386K The Phillipines, Spain, and the U.S. HIST 430 War Crimes Trials and Justice HIST 431 Constitutionalism:  US and Japan HIST 480 Senior Seminar in US History (of any letter/title) HIST 481R Women and the Law HIST 486 Senior Seminar in World or Comparative History (of any   letter/title) PPL 482. Advanced Topics in History and Law (PPL in Britain)
D.	Cognate Courses (all are optional) ANTH 280A Gender, Law and Human Rights ANTH 380B Human Rights in Latin America ANTH 380S Political Anthropology ANTH 480S Gender, Law and Human Rights BE 304 Intellectual Property Law CLAS  381A Persuasion in Ancient Greece CLAS  382A Ancient Sexuality and Gender ECON 103 Introduction to the International Economy ECON 144 Poverty and Discrimination ECON 160 Principles of Microeconomics ECON 162 Principles of Macroeconomics ECON 312 Environmental Law and Policy ECON 331 Environmental Economics ECON 343 Intro. to Labor Economics and IR ECON 349 Economics of Law and Property Rights ECON 350 US Financial System: Markets and Institutions ECON 381G American Economic History ECON 382A Economic Views: Galbraith and Friedman ECON 383B Health Economics ECON 383I Voting and Social Choice ECON 426 History of Economic Thought ECON 445 Public Expenditure and Public Choice ECON 449 Economic Analysis of Law ECON 461 Game Theory ECON 481 Economics, Law and Statistics ECON 481F Foundations of a Free Market Economy ECON 485 Quality of Life and Economics ENVI 215 Environmental Policy ENVI 239 Environmental Planning Policy ENVI 312 Environmental Law and Policy ENVI 317 Environmental Sciences and Public Policy ENVI 340 Natural Resources Law and Policy ENVI 415 Environmental Planning ENVI 481 Ethics and Policy Seminar (letter may vary) ENVI 482 Policy Analysis (letter may vary) JUST 271 Women in Jewish Law JUST 287L Fundamentals of Jewish Law PPL 483 Advanced Topics in Philosophy, Politics, and Law (PPL in Britain) PPL 487 Topics in Philosophy, Politics, and Law (of any letter/title) PSYCH 473B Psychology, Terrorism and Law SOC 240 Women of Color in the U.S. SOC 251 Deviant Behavior SOC 260 Social Problems in the United States SOC 280C Race and Punishment SOC 340 Women and Criminal Justice SOC 370 Social Inequality SOC 378 Law and Society SOC 380 Special Topics (list of letters/titles varies by semester)

Important Notes Students in both tracks must earn a grade of C- or higher in courses fulfilling the major and courses cannot be taken pass-fail. Substitution of other courses (except courses transferred from other universities) must be approved by the student's PPL advisor.  Substitutions of other Binghamton University courses will be granted only in very unusual circumstances, and are considered only in the senior year.  Courses taken at other universities may be approved by the student’s PPL advisor.  Advisors are assigned through the Philosophy Department.

Updated:  October 29, 2009

 

The Honors Program in Philosophy, Politics and Law

The Honors Program offers a rich opportunity for advanced PPL majors to pursue their own writing project.  The purpose of the Program is to introduce you to writing and scholarship that goes beyond the typical undergraduate experience.  PPL majors seeking to join the Honors Program must normally have a minimum GPA of 3.5 in the PPL major and completed two upper-level courses (300 or above) in any area within the PPL major. It’s also a good idea to have taken an advanced philosophy course.

There are two separate methods for achieving Honors. Each method produces the same result of achieving Honors. The first method entails working solo with a faculty advisor. The second approach entails working in coordination with a small group of like-minded Honors students under the direction of an Honors Director.

1. The Pell Honors Program

In this program students write a peer- and jury-reviewed article that they then defend at a public conference. Students are exposed to graduate-level and professional standards of writing and speaking by developing their own philosophical writing in the context of working closely with faculty and the other participants in the program.

The program is named for alumnus Owen C. Pell, '80, whose vision and generous contributions help make it possible. 

Each fall, the Philosophy Department offers a workshop for between six and ten senior Philosophy or PPL majors who are writing honors theses. These students register for Phil 498: Senior Honors or PPL 498: Honors with the program Director. The workshop is run by a Director who is a member of the Philosophy Department faculty.  Each student has an additional faculty member as an expert advisor. These advisors meet with the student several times over the semester to discuss the student’s thesis. The Director solicits applications and makes selections for the program in the preceding spring. Applicants must have an overall GPA of at least 3.5, and submit a thesis proposal and a transcript. The workshop normally meets weekly and provides a forum for instruction regarding the process of writing the thesis, and for feedback on the students’ work. The students present their theses to a jury at a public conference at the end of the semester. In addition, the Director may organize social and academic activities that further enhance the participants’ experience and development. The Director, in consultation with the conference jury, determines what level of Honors the student’s work qualifies for, if any. If you have questions about the Pell Program, please ask any PPL advisor.

The essays are then collected and published in a scholarly book series through Global Academic Publications. Previous books published in this series can be found at http://academicpublishing.binghamton.edu and then through a search for "Scalet", the editor of the book series.

2. Independent Study with a Faculty Member Directed Toward Honors

Students interested in the Honors Program must locate an advisor from among the faculty of the PPL Committee or other faculty member approved by the PPL Director; a list of PPL faculty is available through the philosophy department secretary Melanie Yaworski.  An Honors Committee is then formed comprising this advisor and at least one other member of the faculty (normally two other members), chosen by the student and the advisor.  The requirements for the Honors Program are the successful completion of an honors thesis including an oral examination on the theses conducted by the student’s Honors Committee. Students writing an honors thesis register for PPL 498 and 499 (Honors Thesis) for a minimum of four and maximum of eight credits.  These courses may not be used to satisfy the requirements for the degree.  Candidates for the honors complete an Honors Candidacy Form and will have their writing bound for the Bartle and departmental libraries. A student whose thesis is judged  to be of honors quality will receive special recognition at graduation. Otherwise, the student will receive course credit for an Independent Study.

Transfer Students

Many transfer students become PPL majors. Please see Harpur College Academic Advising for help in sorting out transfer credits. In addition, the following links may be helpful: Transferring from BCC, Transferring from Suffolk, Transferring from TC3, Transferring from Rockland.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can classes outside of the PPL major be substituted for course requirements?

A: Substitutions for study abroad classes are made on a case-by-case basis. See your advisor if you are considering study abroad. With respect to courses offered at Binghamton University, the on-line list of course requirements offers the most up-to-date list of courses that can satisfy the major. If you wish to take a course for the PPL major not currently on this list, you may contact the PPL Director with details about the course in question. The Director continually reviews new course offerings for possible inclusion in the major and invites your suggestions.

Q: How often are PPL courses offered?

A: Each PPL course will be offered over the course of your four years at Binghamton but specific classes are not offered each semester and sometimes infrequently. Plan ahead and check with the secretary of the department in question if you want to know in advance which courses will be offered in the coming year.

Q: Do internships count for credit?

A: The PPL program believes that internship experiences can be a tremendous benefit to your educational experiences. They are above and beyond the course requirements for the PPL major. It is sometimes possible, however, to have an internship count toward general education requirements (though not specifically a PPL requirement). One possibility is to pursue an independent study with a faculty member where the internship experience is part of the independent study requirements. See Harpur College Academic Advising for more information or the specific faculty member with whom you wish to pursue the independent study. The specific requirements of the independent study are worked out between you and the faculty leading the independent study.

Q: The PPL “course requirements” page lists required courses such as “Phil 456”  but the actual courses offered in any given semester typically have a letter associated with the course, such as “Phil 456n”. Does that count toward the major?

A: Yes, any letter attached to that course number counts toward the PPL major. If a requirement only allows a course with a specific letter, then that letter appears on the list of course requirements.

Q: Can I double-major? Can courses count toward both majors?

A: Double-majors are common at the University. PPL can accommodate double-majors especially well given the broad range of courses across disciplines that satisfy PPL requirements. The PPL program has no specific restrictions regarding the number of PPL courses that can count toward a second major. However, your second major may have different rules and you should check with an advisor from that major about their requirements.

Q: Who is my advisor?

A: Check the list of course advisors on-line or ask the department secretaries Melanie Yaworski or Jody Eastlick for help locating an advisor. Your advisor is initially assigned according to the alphabet but you are always welcome to see any of the advisors to your choosing. Simply make an appointment during his or her office hours or contact by e-mail.

Q: How often do course offerings change?

A: Course offerings are updated each semester. This information is conveyed through the PPL listserv and as well as an updated webpage each semester.

Q: Where do I go to get answers to further questions?

A: The first place to speak to someone directly is the Philosophy Department secretaries Melanie Yaworski and Jody Eastlick. They are located on the Twelfth Floor Library Tower. They can answer many questions. They can also direct you to a faculty advisor for further help. You may also visit a faculty advisor directly during his or her office hours. Faculty office hours and e-mails are posted under “B.A. Degree”. You are welcome and encouraged to seek advising from a PPL faculty advisor at any time during your years at Binghamton.