Political and Social Thought

248-A Cabell Hall
University of Virginia
P.O. Box 400786
Charlottesville, VA 22904-0786
(434) 982-2235
www.virginia.edu/pst

Overview Now approaching its twenty-fifth year, this well-regarded interdisciplinary program was launched by a small group of University faculty from several departments committed to the idea of broad social inquiry. It offers qualified students the opportunity to pursue the study of society, and the study of politics—conceived both in its broadest and narrowest senses—without being limited by the boundaries, or the methodological preoccupations, of the relevant disciplines. With the advice of associated faculty, independent and capable students can fashion a program of study that reflects their intellectual interests and goals. Some students construct a program that emphasizes thought and significant thinkers (e.g., John Locke, Karl Marx, Max Weber, John Dewey, Hannah Arendt) or concepts (justice, property, welfare, human rights). Others place greater emphasis on concrete studies—in the past (nineteenth-century Christian missionaries in Africa; labor unions in the 1930’s auto industry), or in the present (the impact of welfare reform; the impact of South Africa’s Truth and Reconciliation Commission). Some students are more theoretically oriented, others more practically inclined; all share a deep curiosity about the content and implications of social and political thought. A key strength of the program is that, within reasonable limits, it can be custom-tailored to the student’s interest. Another is its interdisciplinary character, established during the intensive year-long core seminar offered in the third year. The student can study politics and society wherever they are best examined for his or her purpose.

Among the departments and programs that have played a considerable role in this program are history, politics, sociology, anthropology, studies in women and gender, religious studies, philosophy; and more recently, economics, bioethics, and English.

The program is an outstanding major for a variety of future activities—in many cases better than a major in a single department. Students graduating from this program often pursue further study in graduate and professional schools, gaining admission to the nation’s top programs. Members of recent classes, for example, have been accepted to law schools at Harvard, Yale, N.Y.U. and Virginia; and to Ph.D. programs at the same and similar institutions. Other students have gone on to careers in publishing, investment banking, labor organizing, and positions in NGOs and advocacy groups like Amnesty International. In short, PST majors find themselves well-prepared for careers in a wide variety of fields.

Because of the intensive nature of this two-year program, study abroad during the school year cannot ordinarily be allowed.

Faculty Michael Joseph Smith, the program director, is a Thomas C. Sorenson Professor of Political and Social Thought, and an associate professor of politics. Other faculty associated with the program and its faculty committee include Ellen Contini-Morava and George Mentore of anthropology; James Childress, William Wilson, and Charles Mathewes of religious studies; John Arras and John Simmons of philosophy; George Klosko of politics; Erik Middlefort and Alan Megill of history; Murray Milner and Sharon Hayes of sociology; Ann Lane of history and studies in women and gender; and Rita Felski and Raymond Nelson of English. The program’s high reputation often attracts other faculty from throughout the University to act as thesis advisors.

Students The program attracts able, creative, diverse, and independent students with strong interests, both theoretical and practical, in politics and society. Each spring about 16-18 rising third-year students are selected for the program from a substantial applicant pool. Students are chosen on the basis of strong grades, a writing sample, a faculty recommendation, and a short essay explaining the student’s interest in the field. PST majors share an intensive, full-year core seminar in their third year in which they write short essays virtually every week. In the fourth year, students focus on their individual thesis projects, while sharing a weekly thesis seminar and workshop during the fall term. In this way, they come to know each other and their teachers.