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: Communications10
English Composition - Level 1 1
English Composition - Level 2 1
Oral Communication 1
Area II: Mathematics 1, 23-4
Area III/IV: Laboratory Sciences and Social/Behavioral Sciences 110-11
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: 33
Introduction to Philosophy3
Philosophy, Law, and Ethics3
Philosophical Thought3
Area VI: Creative and Fine Arts 13
General Education Elective 1
PHIL 2110GIntroduction to Ethics (Introductory Course- Departmental/College Requirement also) 33
Viewing a Wider World 46
Departmental/College Requirements
Introductory Courses
PHIL 1120GLogic, Reasoning, & Critical Thinking 33
or PHIL 312 Formal Logic
Law, Politics, and Ethics
PHIL 320Social and Political Philosophy3
PHIL 373Ethical Theory3
PHIL 376Philosophy of Law3
Intellectual History
Select one from the following:3
Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy3
Ancient Philosophy3
Modern Philosophy3
Human Rights and Global Justice
Select two from the following:6
Environmental Ethics3
Ethics and Global Poverty3
Human Nature and the Good Life3
Philosophical Writing
PHIL 448Writing Philosophy3
Non-Departmental Requirements (in addition to Gen.Ed/VWW)
Interdisciplinary Perspectives on Law, Politics, and Justice
HIST 414The Constitution and U.S. History3
Select one from the following:3
Crime, Justice and Society3
Criminal Procedural Law3
Law of Evidence3
The Juvenile Justice System3
New Mexico Law3
Forensic Law3
Issues in Ethics, Law, and Criminal Justice3
Mexican-Americans and Issues of Social Justice3
Immigration & Justice3
Political Penology3
Women and Justice3
Women and Politics3
Plato and the Discovery of Philosophy3
Citizen and State Great Political Issues3
Dilemmas of War and Peace3
Science, Ethics and Society3
Legal Issues in Modern Society3
Justice without Prejudice3
Technology and Policy3
Comparative Perspectives on Women3
Leadership and Society3
Worlds of Buddhism3
Philosophy Through Film3
Applied Ethics3
Special Topics3
Internship in Philosophy and Law3
American Political Thought3
Constitutional Law3
Law and Society3
Psychology and the Law3
Crime and Society3
Juvenile Delinquency3
Second Language Requirement: (not required)
Electives, to bring the total credits to 120 550-52
Select sufficient electives to bring total to 120, including 48 upper-division.
Total Credits120
1

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

2

A Mathematics course is required for the degree but students may need to take any prerequisites needed to enter the course first.

3

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.

4

 See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

5

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.

Plan of Study Grid
FreshmanCredits
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
 Credits30
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
 Credits30-31
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
 Credits30
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
 Credits30
 Total Credits120-121
1

These courses may have prerequisites and/or co-requisites, and it is the students responsibility for checking and fulfilling all those requirements.

2

See the General Education section of the catalog for a full list of courses.

3

See the Viewing a Wider World section of the catalog for a full list of courses.