Phronesis Politics and Ethics Minor

The Greek word phronesis means prudence or practical wisdom, the quality distinctive of good citizens and political leaders. As an interdisciplinary minor, housed in the Honors College, the focus will be on questions and issues that leaders and citizens confront in a self-governing political society. Drawing on the foundation provided by the year-long interdisciplinary “Human Situation” course required of all Honors freshmen, this minor will explore such core issues as the origins and grounds of political order; the scope and content of justice; the relation between the individual and the community; the place of family and gender; the relation between religion and politics; the demands and prospects of a free and self-governing society.

A student must complete 19 hours of approved course work, of which 15 of those hours must be advanced. At least 9 advanced hours must be taken in residence.

An average GPA of 3.0 on all courses in the minor is required.

No more than 6 hours of coursework in the minor may also count toward the major requirements.

All courses must be Honors sections or approved by the Honors program advisor. Non-honors students may participate in the minor with the approval of the program director and will graduate with Collegiate Honors by completing the minor. The 4000-level course must be an approved seminar with a substantial writing component (such as POLS 4344 , POLS 4346 , POLS 4394  or an approved Philosophy or Classical Studies equivalent).