Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026
Politics, Philosophy and Law
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Professors
- David Horkott, Ph.D.
- Francisco Plaza, Ph.D.
- Linda Raeder, Ph.D
Associate Professors
- James A. Todd, J.D. Ph.D., Chair of the Department of Politics, Philosophy, and Law
Politics
The B.A. program in Politics provides a distinctive liberal-arts approach to the study of politics. Students explore the historical, theoretical, and practical foundations of politics and the values and institutions that have informed the development of Western political order, including traditional Judeo-Christian morality, limited, constitutional government, and the Rule of Law. Politics majors gain understanding of major political and governmental concepts and institutions, including current and emerging challenges to the preservation of freedom and constitutional order. Students also learn about comparative, international, and world politics as part of the Politics core curriculum. Classes are offered in four subfields—American Politics, World Politics, Political Theory, and Law and Constitution—preparing students for the pursuit of professional careers in politics, law, government, public policy, academia and other fields.
Philosophy
The philosophy major challenges undergraduates to think with greater clarity, creativity and confidence. This program equips students with core skills essential for critical reading and the clear, well-organized expression of ideas. The department accomplishes its mission by offering students small, interactive class sizes and courses in the history of philosophy, logic and creative thinking. Philosophy majors receive distinctive training in logical thinking making them capable of critically evaluating arguments relevant to all areas of human life. The philosophy program provides students with transformational learning opportunities as they become acquainted with philosophy as a way of life. As a department in a Christian university, the program challenges its students to think deeply about their faith.
Philosophy, Politics, and Economics
The Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) program at Palm Beach Atlantic University equips students to engage the deepest questions of justice, human purpose, and social order. Drawing from the rich traditions of philosophy, political thought, and economic analysis, this interdisciplinary degree prepares students to understand and integrate the forces that shape society—law, morality, governance, markets, and religion—with a view toward fostering human flourishing.
Rather than viewing politics, economics, and philosophy as separate silos, the PPE program helps students explore how these fields interact to form the foundations of a just and orderly society. Our Christ-first perspective infuses the curriculum with moral clarity and a commitment to the common good, preparing graduates not only for impactful careers in public service, policy, law, institutional leadership, or global development, but also for thoughtful lives of purpose and service.
Pre-Law
The Pre-Law program of study provides students with the skills necessary for law school admission and success. Pre-Law is an interdisciplinary program of study. The major develops effective verbal and written communication skills, promotes analytical thinking, and offers broad exposure to history, philosophy, politics, and law. Specifically, the curriculum immerses students in the study of American constitutionalism, Christian ideas about law and government, and the historical development of the rule of law. The program’s goal is for students to develop a Christian worldview to carry into law school and the legal profession. The Pre-Law program provides a strong interdisciplinary approach to the “examined life of intellectual, spiritual, and civic richness,” which will serve them in any future profession and in their growth as individuals.
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