Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law - Bachelor of Arts
The aim of a Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law (JPPL) arts major is to cultivate a reasoned understanding of law and legal institutions, as well as the moral theories that support the value and justice of these institutions. JPPL offers a sequence of courses totaling 36 credit hours in critical thinking, law, policy, global justice, ethical theory, political philosophy, moral theory, feminist philosophy, and human rights. The interdisciplinary component of the major ensures that students have a well-rounded understanding of issues of justice and law. JPPL students will be well-prepared for further studies or careers in law, philosophy, politics, public service, education, human rights, or public policy.
Admission to JPPL is open to any student in good standing in the College of Arts and Sciences.
Students must complete all University degree requirements, which include: General Education requirements, Viewing a Wider World requirements, and elective credits to total at least 120 credits with 48 credits in courses numbered 300 or above. Developmental coursework will not count towards the degree requirements and/or elective credits, but may be needed in order to take the necessary English and Mathematics coursework.
| Prefix | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| General Education | ||
| Area I: Communications | 10 | |
English Composition - Level 1 1 | ||
English Composition - Level 2 1 | ||
Oral Communication 1 | ||
| Area II: Mathematics 1, 2 | 3-4 | |
| Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences 1 | 10-11 | |
Area III: Laboratory Sciences course (4 credits) | ||
Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences Course (3 credits) | ||
Either an Area III: Laboratory Science course (4 credits) or an Area IV: Social/Behavioral Sciences course (3 credits) | ||
| Area V: Humanities | ||
| Select one from the following: 3 | 3 | |
| Introduction to Philosophy | 3 | |
| Philosophy, Law, and Ethics | 3 | |
| Philosophical Thought | 3 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 1 | 3 | |
| General Education Elective 1 | ||
| PHIL 2110G | Introduction to Ethics (Introductory Course- Departmental/College Requirement also) 3 | 3 |
| Viewing a Wider World 4 | 6 | |
| Departmental/College Requirements | ||
| Introductory Courses | ||
| PHIL 1120G | Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking 3 | 3 |
| or PHIL 312 | Formal Logic | |
| Law, Politics, and Ethics | ||
| PHIL 320 | Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| PHIL 373 | Ethical Theory | 3 |
| PHIL 376 | Philosophy of Law | 3 |
| Intellectual History | ||
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy | 3 | |
| Ancient Philosophy | 3 | |
| Modern Philosophy | 3 | |
| Human Rights and Global Justice | ||
| Select two from the following: | 6 | |
| Environmental Ethics | 3 | |
| Ethics and Global Poverty | 3 | |
| Human Nature and the Good Life | 3 | |
| Philosophical Writing | ||
| PHIL 448 | Writing Philosophy | 3 |
| Non-Departmental Requirements (in addition to Gen.Ed/VWW) | ||
| Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Law, Politics, and Justice | ||
| HIST 414 | The Constitution and U.S. History | 3 |
| Select one from the following: | 3 | |
| Crime, Justice and Society | 3 | |
| Criminal Procedural Law | 3 | |
| Law of Evidence | 3 | |
| The Juvenile Justice System | 3 | |
| New Mexico Law | 3 | |
| Forensic Law | 3 | |
| Issues in Ethics, Law, and Criminal Justice | 3 | |
| Mexican-Americans and Issues of Social Justice | 3 | |
| Immigration & Justice | 3 | |
| Political Penology | 3 | |
| Women and Justice | 3 | |
| Women and Politics | 3 | |
| Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy | 3 | |
| Citizen and State Great Political Issues | 3 | |
| Dilemmas of War and Peace | 3 | |
| Science, Ethics and Society | 3 | |
| Legal Issues in Modern Society | 3 | |
| Justice without Prejudice | 3 | |
| Technology and Policy | 3 | |
| Comparative Perspectives on Women | 3 | |
| Leadership and Society | 3 | |
| Worlds of Buddhism | 3 | |
| Philosophy Through Film | 3 | |
| Applied Ethics | 3 | |
| Special Topics | 3 | |
| Internship in Philosophy and Law | 3 | |
| American Political Thought | 3 | |
| Constitutional Law | 3 | |
| Law and Society | 3 | |
| Psychology and the Law | 3 | |
| Crime and Society | 3 | |
| Juvenile Delinquency | 3 | |
| Second Language Requirement: (not required) | ||
| Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 5 | 50-52 | |
Select sufficient electives to bring total to 120, including 48 upper-division. | ||
| Total Credits | 120 | |
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See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
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A Mathematics course is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter the course first.
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Students must take either PHIL 1115G Introduction to Philosophy, PHIL 1145G Philosophy, Law, and Ethics, or PHIL 2230G Philosophical Thought; PHIL 2110G Introduction to Ethics; and either PHIL 1120G Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking or PHIL 312 Formal Logic to fulfill the Introductory courses requirement.
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See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
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Elective credit may vary based on prerequisites, dual credit, AP credit, double majors, and/or minor coursework. The amount indicated in the requirements list is the amount needed to bring the total to 120 credits and may appear in variable form based on the degree. However students may end up needing to complete more or less on a case-by-case basis and students should discuss elective requirements with their advisor.
Second Language Requirement
For the Bachelor of Arts in Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law there is no second language requirement.
A Suggested Plan of Study for Students
This roadmap assumes student placement in MATH 1130G Survey of Mathematics and ENGL 1110G Composition I . The contents and order of this roadmap may vary depending on initial student placement in mathematics and English. It is only a suggested plan of study for students and is not intended as a contract. Course availability may vary from fall to spring semester and may be subject to modification or change.
| Freshman | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL 1110G | Composition I 1 | 4 |
| MATH 1130G | Survey of Mathematics 1 | 3 |
| PHIL 1145G | Philosophy, Law, and Ethics | 3 |
| Area IV: Social and Behavioral Science Course 2 | 3 | |
| PHIL 2110G | Introduction to Ethics | 3 |
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course 2 | 4 | |
| Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts Course 2 | 3 | |
| Choose from one of the following: | 3 | |
| Introduction to Communication | ||
| Introduction to Communication Honors | ||
| Effective Leadership and Communication in Agriculture | ||
| Elective Courses | 4 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Sophomore | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | 3 | |
| Advanced Composition | ||
| Professional and Technical Communication Honors | ||
| Writing in the Humanities and Social Science | ||
| Advanced Technical and Professional Communication | ||
| Choose from one of the following: | 3 | |
| Logic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking | ||
| Formal Logic | ||
| Area III: Laboratory Science Course OR Area IV: Social and Behavioral Science Course 2 | 3-4 | |
| Elective Course | 6 | |
| PHIL 373 | Ethical Theory | 3 |
| PHIL 320 | Social and Political Philosophy | 3 |
| VWW: Viewing a Wider World Course 3 | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | 6 | |
| Credits | 30-31 | |
| Junior | ||
| PHIL 376 | Philosophy of Law | 3 |
| Choose from one of the following: | 3 | |
| Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy | ||
| Ancient Philosophy | ||
| Modern Philosophy | ||
| Upper-Division Elective Course 1 | 3 | |
| PHIL 322 | Environmental Ethics | 3 |
| PHIL 332 | Ethics and Global Poverty | 3 |
| VWW: Viewing a Wider World Course 3 | 3 | |
| Upper-Division Elective Course 1 | 3 | |
| Elective Courses | 9 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Senior | ||
| PHIL 448 | Writing Philosophy 1 | 3 |
| Interdisciplinary Perspectives Course (see non-departmental requirements list) | 6 | |
| Upper-Division Elective Course 1 | 9 | |
| Elective Courses | 12 | |
| Credits | 30 | |
| Total Credits | 120-121 | |
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These courses may have prerequisites and/or co-requisites, and it is the students responsibility for checking and fulfilling all those requirements.
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See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.
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See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.