Philosophy, Politics and the Public
Bachelor of Arts
Fall
- PHIL 100 Ethics as Intro to Philosophy............ 3cr.
- ENGLISH 115 English Rhetoric............ 3cr.
- second language............ 3cr.
- Language I............ 3cr.
- Historical Perspectives (International or Non- Western Focus)............ 3cr.
- First-Year Seminar............ 3cr.
Spring
- PHIL 200 Philosophical Perspectives............ 3cr.
- PPUB 200 Power and the Public............ 3cr.
- Language II............ 3cr.
- THEO 111 Theological Foundations............ 3cr.
- ECON 200 Microeconomic Principles............ 3cr.
Fall
- EITHER (HIST 408 AND PPUB 210) OR (PPUB 246 AND 3 additional hours from PHIL, ECON, POLI, HIST) ............ 6cr.
- MATH 156 General Statistics............ 3cr.
- Lit and the Moral Imagination............ 3cr.
- Theological Perspectives............ 3cr.
Spring
- PPUB 211 Public Policy and Practice............ 3cr.
- HIST 300 Writing in Public OR 3 additional hours from POLI, PHIL,ECON............ 3cr.
- ECON 201 Macroeconomic Principles............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives and Lab............ 3cr.
- Scientific Perspectives and Lab............ 3cr.
Fall
- PHIL 336 Liberalism or PHIL 338 Enlightenment & Revolution............ 3cr.
- HIST 362 Global Cultures and Publics............ 3cr.
- ECON 307 Empirical Analysis in Economics............ 3cr.
- 2 Free Electives............ 6cr.
- Optional Winter Intersession: *Israel Study Abroad............ 3cr.
Spring
- PHIL 337 Responses to Liberalism or PHIL 339 Revolution & its Aftermath............ 3cr.
- Natural Science Elective............ 3cr.
- 3 Free Electives............ 9cr.
- Optional Spring Intersession: *PPP International Study Abroad............ 3cr.
Fall
- PPUB 400 Senior Supervision............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
Spring
- PPUB 401 Senior Seminar............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
- Free Elective............ 3cr.
Exciting Career Opportunities
Congressional and Senatorial Aide, Corporate Affairs Manager, Government Affairs Director, Global Climate Program Coordinator, Communications Manager, Attorney, Campaign Manager, Marketing Manager, Policy Analyst, Professor
Alumni Employers
United States Senators Rob Portman and Sherrod Brown, Cincinnati City Councilmembers, Deloitte, Kroger Company, City of Cincinnati Department of Community and Economic Development, Teach for America, Americorps
PPUB 246: Civil Society and Government
Learn by acting in public. Our students intern with electoral campaigns, legal non-profits, and government agencies as part of their sophomore year course work.
POLI 329: Public Policy Practice
In Public Policy Practice, PPP students don't just learn about issues of public concern. They travel to the centers of government locally, regionally and nationally and see first-hand how power works, and advance public policies that they care about.
PHIL 397: Paris Seminar in Political Theory
Learn about American politics by examining it through an international lens alongside students from all over Europe at the University of Paris.
Political Science Club
Xavier's Political Science Club is a fun and open platform for students of all backgrounds, political beliefs and ideologies to come together and discuss current events and political "hot topics." This club is meant to provide a non-partisan space to promote growth and further interest in politics.
The Xavier Newswire
Newswire is Xavier's weekly campus newspaper that is written and edited by the students of Xavier University. The goal of Xavier Newswire is to inform the campus community, spark conversation, voice student concerns and offer students an outlet to grow as journalists.
Women in Politics
Women in Politics is a bipartisan club that works to empower women to become involved in politics and seek careers in related fields. We aim to show women what opportunities are available, provide career development resources, facilitate discussions about obstacles for women in politics, and tackle today's biggest women's issues from both sides of the aisle.
Program Features
Every PPP student receives a scholarship to support a transformative study abroad experience, whether it's a full semester at a partner institution or a faculty-led program. This funding allows you to explore diverse cultures and political systems across the globe.
Get ready to immerse yourself in the heart of political decision-making at federal, state, and local levels. During your sophomore year, you'll be matched with an internship that not only puts your knowledge into action but also sharpens your leadership skills.
Ground yourself in a tradition that emphasizes critical inquiry, social justice and a commitment to serving others. Our PPP program embodies these values, fostering a sense of purpose and responsibility.
Our longstanding relationships with community organizations provide students with multiple out-of-classroom opportunities to learn from professionals in the field.
Alumni Making an Impact
"The Philosophy, Politics, and the Public Program challenged me in a way that has changed my life for the better. I would encourage anyone with an interest in public policy, advocacy, or current events to study in the PPP Program."
"The PPP program's unique interdisciplinary curriculum imparts a diverse skill set and approach to thinking through major questions that prepared me well for a career in public policy."
"My parents always told me when you surround yourself with good people, good things happen. The PPP program offers you an opportunity to study in a cohort of driven, passionate students who will push you to do great things."
Megan Guthrie, PPP alum and Director of the Office of Addiction Response, Hamilton County, talks about the value of getting a holistic education at Xavier University.
Hear what PPP student Andrew Apollonio loves most about the PPP program, being a Xavier student and life in Cincinnati.
FAQ
Do you have questions about the philosophy, politics and the public major? Our courses prepare students for a dynamic career filled with challenges and rewards. Explore some of the most common questions.Government and Politics
- Political campaign manager: Coordinate and oversee political campaigns.
- Legislative aide: Assist lawmakers with their legislative duties.
- Policy analyst: Research and analyze public policy issues.
- Government relations specialist: Represent organizations or interests before government agencies.
- Public servant: Work in various government roles, such as civil service or elected positions.
Law and Justice
- Lawyer: Practice law in various areas, such as criminal law, civil law, or corporate law.
- Judge: Serve as a judicial officer in a court of law.
- Law enforcement officer: Work in law enforcement agencies, such as police departments or federal agencies.
- Paralegal: Assist lawyers with legal research and administrative tasks.
Philosophy, Politics, and the Public (PPP) majors typically gain a strong foundation in the following skills:
- Critical thinking: The ability to analyze information, evaluate arguments, and form well-reasoned conclusions.
- Communication: Effective written and oral communication skills, including the ability to articulate complex ideas clearly and persuasively.
- Research: The ability to conduct research, gather information, and analyze data.
- Problem-solving: The ability to identify problems, analyze causes, and develop effective solutions.
- Interpersonal skills: The ability to work effectively with others, build relationships, and collaborate on projects.
- Ethical reasoning: The ability to understand and apply ethical principles to real-world situations.
- Policy analysis: The ability to analyze public policy issues and evaluate the effectiveness of different policies.
- Public speaking: The ability to deliver effective presentations and speeches to audiences of varying sizes.
Philosophy, Politics and the Public Program at Xavier University
The Philosophy, Politics and the Public Program brings together many of Xavier's traditional curricular strengths in an innovative and rigorous undergraduate honors program of study focusing on the unifying concept of "the public sphere" in democratic societies. The program is inspired by the Philosophy, Politics & Economics programs commonly found in the British university system, but differs from them by placing greater emphasis upon philosophical conceptions and historical context. Students are encouraged to follow their own interests in the theoretical engagement of the public in its many embodiments and meanings. In addition, the theoretical work in the program is complemented by engagement in the active world of politics through working on political campaigns, lobbying of behalf of legislation, internships in local and national government offices and summer study in Paris that includes a seminar in Brussels, the seat of the European Union. The program is highly selective, with 15 to 20 freshman students enrolling each fall.
Xavier University’s College of Arts and Sciences challenges students to develop an integrated understanding of humanity, the world, and God by pursuing the questions raised in Xavier's core and departmental curricula. The College of Arts and Sciences is the oldest and largest college at Xavier University. The college provides an excellent liberal arts education in the Jesuit tradition that prepares students for careers, professional or graduate school, and life in a global society.
Xavier University is a private university located in Cincinnati, Ohio, providing a liberal arts education in the Jesuit Catholic tradition. Founded in 1831, the University is the sixth-oldest Catholic university in the nation. It has been ranked among the top 10 master's-level universities in the Midwest by U.S. News & World Report for the past two decades. The Princeton Review names it one of the "Best 385 Colleges in America."