Undergraduate Program (BA)
Philosophy, Politics, and the Public
Got a nose for politics and a heart for doing great things? Focus your studies on how legislation and government influence people in democratic societies—and vice versa. Your studies will be a balance of real-world political campaign experience, lobbying on behalf of legislation and internships in local and national government.
Sample Four-Year Philosophy, Politics, and the Public Course Sequence
First Year
| First Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| ECONOMICS 200 Microeconomic Principles | 3 |
| ENGLISH 115 English Rhetoric | 3 |
| Foreign Language | 3 |
| PHILOSPHY 100 (PPP Section) | 3 |
| Core 100: First Year Seminar | 3 |
| CORE 101: GOA Co-curriculum Program I | 0 |
| Second Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| PHILOSOPHY 200 Philosophical Perspectives: The Public | 3 |
| Historical Perspectives | 3 |
| Foreign Language II | 3 |
| THEOLOGY 111 Ethics as Introduction to Theology | 3 |
| ECONOMICS 201 | 3 |
| CORE 102: GOA Co-curriculum Program II | 0 |
This is a sample course sequence to illustrate class offerings for this major.
Consult the official Xavier University catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Sophomore
| First Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| HISTORY 408 Constructing the Public | 3 |
| POLITICAL SCIENCE 246 Mass Media & Politics | 3 |
| Foreign Language III | 3 |
| Scientific Perspectives + Lab | 3 |
| ENGLISH 205 Literature and the Moral Imagination | 3 |
| Second Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| HISTORY 300 Writing in Public | 3 |
| POLITICAL SCIENCE 329 Legislative Practice | 3 |
| Foreign Language IV | 3 |
| Quantitative Requirement | 3 |
| DCR Requirement | 3 |
This is a sample course sequence to illustrate class offerings for this major.
Consult the official Xavier University catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Junior
| First Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Theological Perspectives | 3 |
| PHILOSOPHY 338 Enlightenment & Revolution | 3 |
| Philosophy Religion and The Public Sphere | 3 |
| Oral Flag Requirement | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Second Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Creative Perspectives | 3 |
| PHILOSOPHY 339 Revolution & Its Aftermath | 3 |
| SUSTAINABILITY 301 Cultural Studies and Sustainability | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Summer Intersession Paris Seminar in Political Theory (ERS Focus Elective Requirement) | 3 |
This is a sample course sequence to illustrate class offerings for this major.
Consult the official Xavier University catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Senior
| First Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| PPP Senior Seminar | 3 |
| Thesis Review I | 2 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Second Semester | Semester Hours |
|---|---|
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Thesis Review II | 1 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
| Free Elective | 3 |
This is a sample course sequence to illustrate class offerings for this major.
Consult the official Xavier University catalog for detailed registration and advising information.
Sample Courses
Xavier is known for providing an education that’s both challenging and personal. Here are some courses that are part of the Philosophy, Politics, and the Public major at Xavier:
Modern Political Philosophy (PHIL 364) - A study of the principal problems and texts of modern political philosophy starting from Machiavelli.
100% of graduates from Xavier's Philosophy, Politics & the Public program are employed, enrolled in a full-time graduate program or volunteering within 6 months of graduation.
100%
of graduates from Xavier's Philosophy, Politics & the Public program are employed, enrolled in a full-time graduate program or volunteering within 6 months of graduation.
STAND OUT THAT'S THE XAVIER DIFFERENCE
CHANGE THE WORLD
Participate in the active world of politics by working on campaigns in Washington D.C., lobbying on behalf of legislation and completing internships in local and national government offices. The program is neither liberal nor conservative by nature. You will, however, be challenged to analyze, defend and critique your views.
WORK YOUR CORE
Your course curriculum won't be for the faint of heart: Classes in ethical theory, history, economics, philosophy and political science will prepare you for your first job out of college. On top of that, benefit from priority registration and the option to live in the Honors residence quarters.
PERSONAL ATTENTION
Small class sizes allow you to ask the right questions and get the attention you need to succeed and learn. On top of that, our Career Development mentoring program will connect you with a Cincinnati-based professional for real-world experience.
Xavier by the numbers
21
AVERAGE SIZE OF CLASSES
75,000+
XAVIER GRADUATES ACROSS THE GLOBE
93%
OF SENIORS RATE THEIR EXPERIENCE AS GOOD OR EXCELLENT
ALL
PPP STUDENTS PARTICIPATE IN A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM
The Xavier Experience. There's Nothing Like It.
Play Video
ANDREW HERMANN: BETTER COFFEE FOR A BETTER WORLD
Andrew Hermann was not a coffee drinker until a year ago. Now the Xavier grad enjoys a cup every afternoon -- a delicate light roast made of the best Arabica beans grown in the Dominican Republic by farmers who earn a fair wage from a company he founded. He named his company Better World Beans
ALISON TRIANFO: LEARNED TO VALUE DIFFERENCE BY HELPING OTHERS
Alison came to Xavier for two reasons: the Philosophy, Politics and the Public honor program and the Service Fellows program.
BETSY HOOVER GIVES BACK BY DONATING TIME AND EXPERTISE TO CENTER FOR FAITH AND JUSTICE
After serving as the Regional Director of the Democratic National Committee, as well as the Online Organizing Director for President Obama, she helped start 270 Strategies -- a nonprofit, political strategic group -- in Chicago in 2013. Now she's giving back to Xavier in various ways.
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