Public and Community Service Studies

Bachelor of Arts 

The Feinstein Institute for Public Service is the home of the Department of Public and Community Service Studies, which offers an interdisciplinary program of study leading to the degree of bachelor of arts.

The fundamental mission of the Feinstein Institute for Public Service is to provide the students of Providence College with an educational experience within our liberal arts curriculum that prepares them to become builders of human communities and responsible citizens of a democratic society. The mission of service flows from the understanding of the Judaeo-Christian heritage that all human beings, as sons and daughters of the living God, are called to serve one another. The educational vision of the institute is built upon the unique Catholic tradition of the Dominican Order, which calls upon all persons to bear witness to the human and social dimensions of their religious faith as expressed in the Mission Statement of Providence College and Alan Shawn Feinstein’s dream of educating the young about the importance of compassionate service.

Consistent with the mission of Providence College and the Feinstein Institute, the major in public and community service studies involves a systematic and rigorous study of the major conceptual themes of community, service, compassion, public ethics, social justice and social change, and leadership. The principal goal of the major is to provide students the tools with which to become fluent in these conceptual themes in both their academic and practical dimensions: students will learn community building and sustaining skills, community action research skills, and will become fluent with models of leadership. To achieve this in a liberal arts tradition, the major will emphasize critical thinking, analytic and communication skills, and public problem solving in all its students. In addition, the major will include: a strong field experience component, a strong ethical component, and a strong reflection and analysis component.

The Department of Public and Community Service Studies endeavors to:

• Provide students with a foundation in Catholic social principles and the Judaeo-Christian tradition of social justice as they apply to public and community service;
• Provide firm grounding in the concepts of citizenship, ethical behaviors, and the value of democratic institutions, as well as the recognition of contributions made by diverse people in a democratic society;
• Enable students not only to understand change but to become agents of change;
• Develop leadership skills;
• Provide decision-making opportunities in complex circumstances;
• Develop each student’s ability to communicate effectively both in written and spoken word as well as using the tools of mass communication;
• Provide students with concepts and skills in community-centered analysis and action research; and
• Instill an understanding of the interdisciplinary nature of the study of public and community service.