UMass Boston

Philosophy & Law Minor

Explore the Impact of Philosophy on Laws & the Legal System. 

If you’re interested in legal or law-related careers and issues at the intersection of philosophy and law, the Philosophy and Law Minor is for you. 

Courses in this program are taught by our dedicated faculty members, including philosophers, lawyers, and liberal arts experts with legal knowledge. In addition to core Philosophy and Philosophy-Law (PHILLAW) courses, you’re also encouraged to take classes in other departments, including Political Science, Sociology, and Women-Gender Studies. 

Equipped with a deeper understanding of the ethical and legal aspects of society, you’ll be prepared for a variety of careers – in law, ethics, public policy, government, advocacy, and more.

Expand Your Studies

How to Apply/Declare

Current Undergraduate Students: Declare or change your minor by completing an Undergraduate Program Add/Change form.

Prospective Undergraduate Students: Apply for admission to UMass Boston by completing an application. Start by reviewing the first-year and transfer application pages for important information about requirements, deadlines, and application status checks. Use the links below to apply: 

Apply as a First-Year Student

Apply as a Transfer Student

Curriculum

Introductory Course (3 Credits)

  • PHIL 100 - Introduction to Philosophy 3 Credit(s)  OR
  • PHIL 108 - Moral and Social Problems 3 Credit(s)  OR
  • PHIL 250 - Formal Logic 3 Credit(s)

Required Courses (9 Credits)

  • PHIL 290 - The Philosophy of Law 3 Credit(s)
  • PHILLAW 210 - Legislative Labyrinth 3 Credit(s)
  • PHILLAW 300 - Basic Legal Rsng&Rsr 3 Credit(s)

Upper-Level Philosophy Course (3 Credits)

  • PHIL 418 - The Ideas of Constitutional Democracy 3 Credit(s)  OR
  • PHIL 450 - Rights 3 Credit(s)

Elective (3 Credits)

Take one course from the list below.

  • POLSCI 329 - American Constitutional Law and Theory (A) 3 Credit(s)
  • POLSCI 332 - Civil Liberties in the United States (A) 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 339 - Sociology of Law 3 Credit(s)
  • SOCIOL 461 - Internship in Law and Criminal Justice 6 Credit(s)
  • WGS 291 - Family Law 3 Credit(s)
  • WGS 292 - Family Law Practice 3 Credit(s)

Completion Requirements

Complete 18 credits from six courses, including one introductory course, three required courses, one upper-level philosophy course, and one elective.

Pass/fail: No courses except PHIL 120 may be taken pass/fail and applied toward the minor.
Residency: At least five courses for the minor must be completed at UMass Boston. Only PHIL 100 or 108 may be accepted as a transfer course.

Contact

Steven Levine, Philosophy Department Chair
Wheatley Hall
617.287.6530
Steven.Levine [@] umb.edu

Associate Professor of Philosophy Danielle Bromwich's class meets in the new Humanities Hub.

Philosophy Department

Learn more about UMass Boston's Philosophy Department, our research, and our faculty.

Explore our Philosophy Department
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College of Liberal Arts

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Next Steps

Declare or Change Your Minor Request Info About UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions