COURSE CURRICULUM

The Political and Legal Philosophy option within the UNH Philosophy Program combines the core philosophy curriculum with specialized study in politics, law, ethics, and justice. Students complete the standard philosophy major requirements while also focusing on philosophical questions related to political systems, legal institutions, individual rights, and social responsibility. The major requires a minimum of ten philosophy courses totaling 40 credits, with students maintaining at least a 2.00 GPA in philosophy coursework and earning a minimum grade of C- in all courses counted toward the major. Core studies include logic, ethics, ancient philosophy, modern philosophy, and workshop-based discussion and writing courses that strengthen critical thinking, argument analysis, and communication skills. Students also complete philosophy electives and advanced 700-level seminars that serve as the capstone experience and emphasize independent research and higher-level philosophical analysis. The Political and Legal Philosophy option requires four additional philosophy courses selected from subjects such as critical thinking, race and social justice, philosophy of law and justice, ethics and society, business ethics, social and political philosophy, environmental ethics, feminism, neuroscience and philosophy, law and medicine, and twentieth-century European philosophy. Through these courses, students explore major contemporary issues including justice, democracy, state power, freedom of expression, capitalism and socialism, racial and gender inequality, environmental responsibility, medical ethics, privacy, and the ethical impact of technology. The curriculum encourages students to evaluate political and legal systems through philosophical reasoning while understanding how ethical principles shape laws, institutions, and public policy. The program also offers flexibility because philosophy courses may simultaneously satisfy university Discovery requirements in areas such as humanities, quantitative reasoning, world cultures, and environment and society, making it especially useful for students pursuing double majors. Overall, this interdisciplinary option prepares students for careers or advanced study in law, government, politics, public policy, education, journalism, advocacy, business, and public service while helping them develop the intellectual tools needed to address complex political, legal, and ethical challenges in society.