Mar 29, 2024  
2012-2014 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2012-2014 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

History


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Bachelor of Arts 

The mission of the Department of History at Providence College is to encourage a sensitivity to the past in order that students might better understand the present and prepare intelligently to deal with the challenges of the future. Moreover, the department seeks to train and instruct students in historical method, with emphasis on doing the work of history with the greatest possible objectivity, resisting personal and social prejudice and ideological fashion.

History courses are intended to develop in students a basic grasp of both European and American civilizations and to provide students with opportunities to gain knowledge and understanding of non-Western civilizations.

The department emphasizes an appreciation of the Judaeo-Christian heritage in keeping with the character and mission of the College as a Roman Catholic and Dominican institution. It also promotes an understanding of democratic tradition and practice and their relation to the responsibilities of citizenship and humane development of the nation and the world.

Advanced Placement Policy

For History Majors

History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of “5” on the A.P. U.S. and/or European History exam(s) will be given a one-course reduction in the required courses for the specific area(s) and will be given flexibility in choosing the remaining two courses (i.e., any two courses for the particular area). For instance, a major with a grade of “5” in U.S. History would be required to take only two courses in U.S. history and may choose any pre-1877 and any post-1877 U.S. History courses for those required courses. A major with a grade of “5” in European History would be required to take only two courses in European History and may choose any pre-1715 and any post-1715 European History courses for those required courses.

History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of “5” on the World History exam will be given a one-course reduction in the number of required electives for the major.

A limit of two A.P. scores of “5” will be recognized by the department for reduction of the total number of courses in the major.

History majors with an Advanced Placement grade of “4” on the A.P. U.S. and/or European History exam(s) will be given flexibility in choosing any three courses for U.S. and/or European History, including at least one pre-1877 and post-1877 course for U.S. History and/or at least one pre-1715 and post-1715 course for European History. For such students, the required number of history credits to be earned for the major would remain at 33.

Required Courses


Academic programs vary in their requirements. Students should consult with their faculty advisor and the Academic Guidebook to review the Academic Planning Form pertinent to their program of study. In addition, students should review course descriptions regarding any prerequisites for required courses. Graduation requirements include a minimum of 120 credit hours, although some academic programs may require additional credits. Please refer to the Academic Resources section of the catalog for more information. Information regarding the new Core Curriculum, which takes effect with the Class of 2016, is available at http://www.providence.edu/academic-affairs/core-curriculum.

History majors are required to complete 33 credits in history. These are normally fulfilled by completing a three-credit gateway course, nine credits in United States history and European history, and 12 from departmental electives, of which a non-Western history course and a junior/senior seminar are required. Necessary adjustments and appropriate substitutions for departmental requirements may be made in accordance with approved department policy and with permission of the chairperson of the department.

Non-Western Requirement


History majors are required to take at least one non-Western History course as part of their History requirements.   History/Secondary Education majors are required to take two non-Western History courses.

Courses that fall into the following categories can be used to fulfill the Non-Western requirement: Asian, Russian,* Latin American, Middle Eastern, African, and Native American histories, or any histories that focus on autochthonous peoples, provided that they (a) include a significant amount of content beyond the scope of the study of Western history and/or (b) offer alternative perspectives to those peoples who emanate from Western Europe or the United States by focusing on the response to contact, conquest, and colonialism.

Courses not explicitly included in the above categories may fulfill the non-Western requirement with the approval of the instructor and the chair or assistant chair.

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