Interdisciplinary Programs

American Studies

Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.1784
Fax: 401.865.2057
Location: Ruane 117

The Faculty

Professors

Rev. Kenneth R. Gumbert, O.P., M.F.A. (Theatre, Dance, and Film)
Eric L. Hirsch, Ph.D. (Sociology)
Deborah J. Johnson, Ph.D. (Art and Art History/Women’s Studies)
Jeffrey A. Johnson, Ph.D. (History), Program Director
Keith Morton, Ph.D. (Public and Community Service Studies)
Ann W. Norton, Ph.D. (Art and Art History)
Tuire M. Valkeakari, Ph.D. (English)

Associate Professors

Edward E. Andrews, Ph.D. (History)
Eric D. Bennett, Ph.D. (English)
William Bonney, Ph.D. (Theology)
Joseph P. Cammarano, Ph.D. (Political Science/Public and Community Service Studies)
Suzanne J. Fournier, Ph.D. (English)
Margaret K. Reid, Ph.D. (English)

Assistant Professors

Margaret M. Manchester, Ph.D. (History)
Rene A. Orquiza, Ph.D. (History)
Cristina Rodriguez, Ph.D. (English)
Steven C. Smith, Ph.D.

Asian Studies

Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.2520
Fax: 401.865.2410
Location: Hunt/Cavanagh 202B

The Faculty

Professors

Albino Barrera, O.P., Ph.D. (Economics)
Susan K. McCarthy, Ph.D. (Political Science)
Ann W. Norton, Ph.D. (Art and Art History), Advisor
Charlotte G. O’Kelly, Ph.D. (Sociology/Women’s Studies)

Associate Professors

D. Colin Jaundrill, Ph.D. (History)
Eric Sung, M.F.A. (Art)

Assistant Professors

Fang Dong, Ph.D. (Economics)
René Alexander Orquiza, Ph.D. (History)
Trina Vithayathil, Ph.D. (Global Studies)

Black Studies

Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.2083
Fax: 401.865.1222
Location: Howley Hall 314

The Faculty

Professors

Anthony D. Affigne, Ph.D. (Political Science)
Eric L. Hirsch, Ph.D. (Sociology)
Julia S. Jordan-Zachery, Ph.D. (Public and Community Service Studies/Black Studies), Program Director
Charlotte G. O’Kelly, Ph.D. (Sociology/Women’s Studies)
Tuire M. Valkeakari, Ph.D. (English)

Associate Professors

Patrick H. Breen, Ph.D. (History)

Assistant Professors

Matthew J. Dowling, Ph.D. (History)
Michael L. Hayes, Ph.D. (Social Work/Public and Community Service Studies)
Christopher T. Kelton, D.M. (Music)

The Program

The Black Studies program offers students an interdisciplinary set of analytic and research tools for critical analysis and understanding of various aspects of black culture and fosters a new appreciation for the contributions made by people of African descent to world cultures and human history.

The black studies program seeks to provide students with clear, precise, reliable, and accurate knowledge about the African Diasporic communities of Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, and Europe within the framework of a liberal arts education.

As an academic minor, this interdisciplinary and multicultural course of study takes a look at the African Diasporic communities’ contemporary state, history and traditions, unique culture, collective experience, and antecedent connection with Africa and African history.

To that end, teaching, analysis, and research within the program are directed toward the communities’ world view, core beliefs, structures of relationships, patterns of moral and ethical discourse, political thought and action, experience of and response to racism, cultural motifs, and historical foundations, both within the United States and globally.

This minor can be paired with many different majors, including global studies, economics, and political science. Students from a variety of academic majors will find that proficiency in black studies can expand career options.

Humanities

Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.2643
Fax: 401.865.2772
Location: St. Catherine of Siena Hall 129

The Faculty

Associate Professor

James F. Keating, Ph.D., Program Director

Latin American Studies

Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.2647
Fax: 401.865.1193
Location: Ruane Center for the Humanities 113

The Faculty

Professor

Nicholas V. Longo, Ph.D. (Global Studies/Public and Community Service Studies)

Associate Professors

Kara B. Cebulko, Ph.D. (Sociology/Global Studies)
Nuria Alonso García, Ph.D. (Global Studies/Secondary Education)
Edgar Mejía, Ph.D. (Foreign Language Studies)
Carmen A. Rolon, Ed.D. (Secondary Education/Women’s Studies)
Sister Leslie Ellen Straub, O.P., Ph.D. (Anthropology)
Eve Veliz Moran, Ph.D. (Sociology)

Assistant Professors

Alison Caplan, Ph.D. (Foreign Language Studies)
Rev. David T. Orique, O.P., Ph.D. (History), Director
Monica Simal, Ph.D. (Foreign Language Studies)

The Program

This program leads to a minor in Latin American studies. The Latin American Studies Program provides the student the opportunity to develop a general knowledge of Latin America through an interdisciplinary approach in the areas of foreign language studies, anthropology, history, sociology, and political science. The program has supported for more than 20 years the participation of 10 students in the annual Model Organization of American States in Washington, D.C. Because the Latin American Studies Program is interdisciplinary, students can expect to have their program of studies tailored to their individual needs. For further information, please contact Rev. David T. Orique, O.P. or visit http://www.providence.edu/latin-american-studies/Pages/default.aspx.

Social Science

Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.2517
Fax: 401.865.2232
Location: Howley Hall 108

The Faculty

Associate Professor

Sister Leslie Ellen Straub, O.P., Ph.D., Program Director

Women’s Studies

Contact Information

Phone: 401.865.2924
Fax: 401.865.2381
Location: Phillips Memorial Library LL18B

The Faculty

Professors

Mary L. Bellhouse, Ph.D. (Political Science)
Peter R. Costello, Ph.D. (Philosophy/Public and Community Service Studies)
Catherine E. Gordon, Ph.D. (Music)
Rev. Kenneth R. Gumbert, O.P., M.F.A. (Theatre, Dance, and Film)
Deborah J. Johnson, Ph.D. (Art and Art History/Women’s Studies)
Julia S. Jordan-Zachery, Ph.D. ( Public and Community Service Studies /Black Studies)
Patricia M. Lawlor, Ph.D. (Foreign Language Studies)
Charlotte G. O’Kelly, Ph.D. (Sociology/Women’s Studies)
Wendy R. Oliver, Ed.D. (Theatre, Dance, and Film/Women’s Studies)
Tuire M. Valkeakari, Ph.D. (English)

Associate Professors

Maia F. Bailey, Ph.D. (Biology)
Elizabeth A. Bridgham, Ph.D. (English)
Angela Licia Carlson, Ph.D. (Philosophy)
Jennifer G. Illuzzi, Ph.D. (History)
Jessica M. Mulligan, Ph.D. (Health Policy and Management)
Maureen C. Outlaw, Ph.D. (Sociology/Women’s Studies)
Despina D. Prassas, Ph.D. (Theology)
Carmen A. Rolon, Ed.D. (Secondary Education/Women’s Studies)
Eve Veliz Moran, Ph.D. (Sociology)

Assistant Professors

Abigail T. Brooks, Ph.D. (Sociology/Women’s Studies), Program Director
Margaret M. Manchester, Ph.D. (History)

The Program

The College offers a major and a minor in women’s studies. Women’s studies is an innovative, interdisciplinary academic field of study. It focuses on analyzing the contributions and achievements of women across the globe-past and present-and throughout the academic disciplines. At Providence College, its purpose is to provide opportunities for students to formulate a comprehensive view of culture that incorporates the experiences of women. Understanding the issues vital to women’s lives and their intellectual and creative productivity enables both male and female students to develop a positive personal philosophy with regard to gender roles.

As a scholarly focus that has only received attention for the last 30 years, women’s studies strives to be sensitive to the under-representation of other groups. Thus, there is a strong effort to recognize and document the diversity of women’s experiences across age, race, ethnic group, social class, and physical condition. Offering a more inclusive understanding of humanity, women’s studies naturally strengthens preparation for many careers in both the public and private sectors.

The Women’s Studies Program is committed to empowering students as active learners. Courses use collaborative and interactive approaches that encourage reflection, challenge existing viewpoints, and further develop critical thinking.

For admission into the Women’s Studies Program, a student must be in good academic standing. To qualify for the major or the minor, a student must have completed the course requirements and have at least a 2.0 GPA.