The aims of this program are to foster a sophisticated understanding of the law and legal institutions that make up the social world in which we live and of the political and moral theories that address the value and justice of these institutions. Students will be well-prepared for further studies or careers in law, philosophy, politics, education, human rights or public policy.
Admission
Enrolment in this program is limited. Selection is based on academic achievement and a supplemental application. See Note #1 below. It is recommended that students include three units of Level I Philosophy in their Level I program.
Notes
Students must complete a supplemental application for admission that is available on the Program website (jppl.humanities.mcmaster.ca, due April 30).
Students must complete 18 units from the Interdisciplinary Core Course List, at least 3 units in each of the three categories: Policy and Law, Political and Moral Philosophy, and Human Rights and Global Justice. The remaining nine units may be from any of the three categories.
Students may petition the Undergraduate Counsellor in Philosophy for approval to count toward this requirement courses that are within the interdisciplinary themes, but not on these lists.
Upon completion of 60 units of work and with the approval of the Department of Philosophy and the Office of the Dean of the Faculty of Humanities, one or both terms of Level III may be replaced by courses of study at a designated university abroad.
The Faculty of Humanities introduced a new requirement for all Humanities degree students starting in 2024-25. The Skills for Life Concurrent Certificate comprises 18 units that provide a foundation for students to develop important academic and career-relevant skills such as oral and written communication, critical thinking, and digital literacy. The mandatory requirements below assume successful completion of HUMAN 1DL3, HUMAN 1HL3 and HUMAN 1VV3 in Humanities 1. Students transferring to Humanities programs beyond Level 1 are exempt from the concurrent certificate. Please see Faculty of Humanities Academic Regulations for more information.
Students who entered the Honours Justice, Political Philosophy, and Law (B.A.) program prior to September 2025 should refer to the Undergraduate Calendar for the year of program entry and their personal Advisement Report for program requirements.
120 units total (Levels I to IV), of which 48 units may be Level I
30 units
from
Level I program completed prior to admission into the program (see note 6)
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