Political and Legal Philosophy, Cognate - COLA, UNH

Undergraduate

Political and Legal Philosophy

Examine pressing issues from privacy and free speech to the balance between liberty and equality while developing sophisticated analytical abilities valued across professional fields.
Degree
Cognate
Location
Durham, NH
Courses
3
Credit
12 hrs.
Full-time
Varies
Part-time
Varies
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Political Science & international Affair

The Political and Legal Philosophy cognate at UNH offers a systematic exploration of fundamental questions about justice, power and rights in today's complex world. Here you'll examine pressing issues from privacy and free speech to the balance between liberty and equality while developing sophisticated analytical abilities valued across professional fields. 

Through engaging discussions and rigorous training in argumentation, you'll gain the clear analysis and writing skills that make philosophy students top performers on graduate entrance exams and in careers from law to business. Whether you're planning to attend law school, enter public service or work in technology or healthcare, this cognate provides the intellectual foundation to tackle complex ethical and political challenges in your chosen field.

Department of Political Science & International Affairs

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What is the political and legal philosophy cognate?

The political and legal philosophy cognate in the philosophy department is designed for students who are interested in specializing in the systematic study of fundamental philosophical questions regarding politics, law and justice and how they apply to contemporary issues. This cognate allows you to study topics such as the nature of justice, limits of state power, balancing liberty and equality, capitalism vs. socialism, authoritarian challenges to democracy, fascism and antifascism, privacy, freedom of expression and other issues at the interface of ethics, justice, law and states. Cognates appear on your transcript and can be listed on your resume.

Why study political and legal philosophy at UNH?

Our internationally renowned professors emphasize discussion, debate and writing. As a lively and nurturing faculty personally invested in the success of our high achieving students, we take pride in watching our graduates go on to excel in top law schools, elite graduate programs and prestigious positions from Wall Street to Silicon Valley. Wrestling with big questions prepares our students exceptionally well for highly successful careers. We train you how to think clearly, argue, write and respond collegially to counterarguments. Philosophy is one of the highest scoring majors for the LSAT and GMAT as well as for career earnings.

Potential Careers

  • Business professional
  • Ethicist
  • Healthcare professional
  • Law
  • Policy professional
  • Politician
  • Professor
  • Teacher
  • Technology professional
  • Writer

Curriculum & Requirements

01
Program Description
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For students unable to major or minor in philosophy. This option provides official recognition for students who choose to emphasize the study of political and legal philosophy.

You do not need to declare a cognate; however, we recommend that you meet with a faculty member from the Philosophy Department to discuss your plan. At the beginning of your final semester of study, you should complete a certification of completion of cognate form, obtain the necessary signatures, and submit it to your Dean's Office.

02
Requirements for the Program
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Credit toward the cognate will only be given for courses passed with C- or better, and a 2.00 grade-point average must be maintained in courses for the cognate. Courses taken on the pass/fail basis may not be used for the cognate. 

Requirements
Select three courses from the following:12
PHIL 405Critical Thinking4
PHIL 419Race, Gender and Social Justice4
PHIL 420Introduction to Philosophy of Law and Justice4
PHIL 424The Future of Humanity: Science, Technology, and Society4
PHIL 430Ethics and Society4
PHIL 431Business Ethics4
PHIL 436Social and Political Philosophy4
PHIL 450Environmental Ethics4
PHIL 510Philosophy and Feminism4
PHIL 531Topics in Professional and Business Ethics4
PHIL 62020th Century European Philosophy4
PHIL 630Neuroscience and Philosophy4
PHIL 660Law, Medicine, and Ethics4
Approved PHIL seminars, including seminars in neuroscience, happiness, economic philosophy, race and others4

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