PHIL 304 is UMGC's three-credit upper-level course on social justice, built around political and ethical writings.
The course description says students explore philosophers who shaped contemporary ideas of social justice and individual rights.
The objectives are to evaluate political theories and philosophies, defend ethical reasoning on questions of justice, and communicate critical reflections on issues such as environmental justice, healthcare, racial justice, women's rights, immigration and religious freedom.
The difficulty is combining theory and contemporary debate. Assignments reward papers that use a theorist's argument to illuminate a current issue, not ones that only state opinions.
Course at a Glance
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| University | University of Maryland Global Campus (UMGC) |
| Course code | PHIL 304 |
| Credits | 3 |
| Level | Undergraduate, upper level |
| Subject area | Political philosophy and social justice |
| Typical work | Theory analyses, issue papers, discussions (varies by section) |
What PHIL 304 Covers
UMGC lists the main topics. Each can anchor a module or a paper.
| Topic (from the description) | Question it raises |
|---|---|
| Freedom and the social contract | What do people owe each other, and why obey authority? |
| Individual and human rights | Which rights are basic, and who protects them? |
| Distributive and economic justice | How should goods, opportunities and burdens be shared? |
| Gender and racial justice | What fairness requires in the face of historic and current inequality |
| Internationalism and theories of war | When, if ever, is war just, and what do states owe one another? |
Key Concepts Explained
The Social Contract
Social contract theories hold that legitimate political authority rests on an agreement, real or hypothetical, among free people. Different thinkers draw different conclusions about how much authority is justified and why.
Theories of Distributive Justice
Some accounts, such as Rawls's, ask what principles people would choose without knowing their own position in society. Others stress individual entitlement and limited state action. Compare them on a concrete policy.
Invented illustration: A city is deciding whether to fund a clinic in a low-income area. One account asks whether the decision benefits the least advantaged. Another asks whether the funding is taken justly from taxpayers. Your paper sets out each answer, then argues for the better supported one.
Using Theory on a Current Issue
Choose one issue from the catalog list and one theory. Explain the theory's key claim, apply it, anticipate an objection, and give a reasoned verdict.
Typical Assignments and How to Approach Them
| Task type | What it tests | How to approach it |
|---|---|---|
| Theory evaluation | Understanding political philosophies | Reconstruct the argument before criticizing it |
| Issue paper | Defending ethical reasoning | State a thesis and support it with theory and evidence |
| Critical reflection | Communicating views | Be specific about the issue and your reasons |
| Discussion posts | Respectful debate | Engage the argument, not the person |
Structuring a Social Justice Paper
Papers in this course need both philosophical machinery and a real issue. This structure keeps the two connected.
| Section | Purpose | Tip |
|---|---|---|
| Issue | State the specific problem, for example access to healthcare in one setting | Keep it narrow |
| Theory | Explain the philosopher's key claim in plain terms | Use the primary text |
| Application | Show what the theory says about the issue | Take each step slowly |
| Objection | Give the best counterargument | Present it fairly |
| Position | State and defend your conclusion | Avoid overstating |
The description lists both theory-based aims and communication aims. That means your writing should be accessible to a reader who has not read the philosophers. Define technical terms briefly, and use one concrete example to anchor each abstract point.
When you use data about inequality, health or immigration, cite reputable sources and note what the data does not show. Philosophical arguments about justice depend on facts, and weak facts weaken strong arguments.
Choosing an Issue and Theory
Pairing the right theory with the right issue makes writing easier. Use the table to plan.
| Issue (from the description) | Possible angle |
|---|---|
| Healthcare | Distributive justice and fair access |
| Immigration | Rights, borders and obligations to strangers |
| Religious freedom | Individual rights and limits set by the state |
| Environmental justice | Who bears burdens and who decides |
These are starting angles only; your readings decide which theorists you use. Choose the pairing that gives you the clearest argument and the best available evidence.
Where Students Get Stuck
- Opinion in place of argument. Show the reasoning that leads to your view.
- Straw-manning theories. Present each in its best form first.
- Issues too broad. Focus on one policy question within a topic.
- Ignoring empirical facts. Support claims about inequality or health with credible data.
Study Tips for PHIL 304
- Keep one table: theorist, central claim, key term, main objection.
- Choose one recurring issue to test every theory against.
- Draft a thesis sentence before you write.
- Read the primary text, not only summaries.
How We Help with PHIL 304
Send the prompt, rubric and readings. A writer can prepare a custom paper, explain a theory using your issue, or review your own draft for clarity and argument.
GradeEssays is independent of the University of Maryland Global Campus. Our work is a study and reference aid: use it to understand the approach, then write and submit your own work under UMGC's academic integrity policy.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Political and ethical writings that shaped contemporary ideas of social justice and individual rights, applied to current issues.
Environmental justice, healthcare, racial justice, women's rights, immigration and religious freedom.
Freedom and the social contract, individual and human rights, distributive and economic justice, gender and racial justice, and internationalism and theories of war.
The course page we checked lists none. Confirm in the current catalog.
You need a reasoned position, with the strongest opposing view addressed fairly.
Yes. Send it with the rubric and we give feedback on argument, theory use and structure.