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University Bulletin: Undergraduate Programs 2003-2004 The George Washington University  

 
    
 
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PHILOSOPHY

 

University Professor P.J. Caws

Professors W.B. Griffith, R.P. Churchill, D. DeGrazia (Chair), G. Weiss

Assistant Professors M. Friend, E.J. Saidel, J.C. Brand-Ballard, T. Zawidzki, G. Van Cleemput

Master of Arts in the field of public policy with a concentration in philosophy and social policy—An interdisciplinary program that brings the normative, historical, and analytical-logical skills of philosophical inquiry to bear upon contemporary problems of social policy. The program is affiliated with the School of Public Policy and Public Administration. Prerequisite: a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university. Students are expected to have completed the prerequisites to graduate courses.

Required: the general requirements stated under Columbian College of Arts and Sciences. Two options are available at the discretion of the faculty: (1) a minimum of 24 credit hours of approved graduate course work plus the successful completion of a thesis (Phil 299—300), or (2) a minimum of 36 credit hours of graduate course work that does not include a thesis. All students are required to take four courses selected from Phil 230, 231, 238, 242, 250, 255, 262, 281; and, for the public policy core, four courses, one from each of the following groups: (a) PSc 229, 212, 224; (b) Econ 217, 221, 237, 248; (c) PSc 203, WStu 240, E&RP 210, Hist 214; (d) PAd 296 or equivalent as approved by the advisor. Electives may focus on a particular policy area (e.g., biomedical/health care, urban/welfare, or environmental policy), or may explore varied approaches and policy issues. Each candidate must pass a Master’s Comprehensive Examination based on the particular interdisciplinary composition of the student’s program of study. Prospective candidates should consult the program director.

With permission, a limited number of 100-level courses in the department may be taken for graduate credit; additional course work is required. See the Undergraduate Programs Bulletin for course listings.

201—2 Readings and Research (3—3) Griffith and Staff
  Advanced readings and reports. Investigation of special problems. (Academic year)
230 Ethical Issues in Policy Arguments (3) Griffith
  Critical analysis of ethical foundations of public policy arguments, e.g., about protection of the environment or health and safety, equality of opportunity. Case studies of appeals to "welfare improvements," to norms of duty, to "the social contract," and to rights—claims. Attention to historical contexts and biases. Open to undergraduates only with permission of instructor. (Fall)
231 Economic Justice (3) Griffith
  Ethical and economic analysis of equity and efficiency of current U.S. income distribution patterns. Theories of justice; economic theories of distribution; assessment of redistribution policies. Open to undergraduates only with permission of instructor. (Spring)
238 Feminist Ethics and Policy Implications (3) Weiss
  Feminist critiques of traditional ethical reasoning; alternative feminist ethical frameworks examined and applied to contemporary social problems (e.g., reproductive technology, genetic engineering). Prerequisite: Phil 125 or 131 or permission of instructor. Same as WStu 238. (Spring, alternate years)
242 Philosophy, Law, and Social Policy (3) Brand-Ballard
  Examination of basic questions about the role law can and should play in society. Topics include the nature and basis of rights; theories of constitutional interpretation; proposals for legal and political reform of Western liberal democracy. (Spring)
250 Topics in Health Policy (3) DeGrazia
  Topics in health policy from the perspective of philosophical ethics, including human and animal research, the enhancement of human traits, justice and health care allocation. (Spring)
262 Normative Issues in Foreign Policy (3) Churchill
  Selected issues on foreign policy from a normative perspective; emphasis on human rights, economic globalization, global poverty, sustainable development, and the ethics of military intervention.
281 Environmental Philosophy and Policy (3) Churchill, Brand-Ballard
  Development of philosophical frameworks for analyzing and appraising a wide range of environmental issues and modes of analysis. Attention to both classical problems (pollution, biodiversity) and the new "sustainable economy/ ecology" paradigm shift, and to both microeconomic and biocentric modes of analysis and argument.
299—300 Thesis Research (3—3) Staff
778 Left and Right in Philosophy and Politics (3) Caws
  See the University Professors course listing.
 

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© 2009 University Bulletin
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Information in this bulletin is generally accurate as of fall 2008. The University reserves the right to change courses, programs, fees, and the academic calendar, or to make other changes deemed necessary or desirable, giving advance notice of change when possible.