1. Why A Core Curriculum?    
2. What are the Core Curriculum Requirements?
3. How Do I Complete the Core Curriculum?   
4. How Do I Meet the Requirement in:                 
       Development of Western Civilization                 
       English Proficiency                 
       Social Science                 
       Fine Arts       
       Philosophy                 
       Theology                 
       Mathematics 
            Majors with Specific Math Requirements
       Non-Departmental Electives

Why A Core Curriculum?

Providence College is a liberal arts institution and its core curriculum especially  reflects that identity.  In the Providence College Undergraduate Catalog, you will read that

A Providence College education is liberal by tradition and intent. A liberal education implies that we all have the freedom to pursue knowledge and truth, and to shape, under the guidance of master teachers, a lifetime habit of mind. Such a learning experience promotes the development of skills that stand the test of time in any professional or civic setting: the ability to frame a well reasoned argument, to examine sources critically, to reconcile opposing points of view, to separate the sound from the frivolous, to appreciate beauty and human expression, and to write and speak effectively.

Only by understanding the historical and cultural contexts from which contemporary society has evolved can students attempt to bring wisdom and perspective to this age=s moral complexities and dilemmas. To ensure that all students are exposed to a systematic study of the great works and influential events of the past, the college created, nearly three decades ago, The Development of Western Civilization Program.

While supporting the central role of the liberal arts, the college is equally devoted to the study of the sciences, the social sciences, the visual and performing arts, and to the exploration of new technologies.

The Core Curriculum provides a unique opportunity to explore, study and develop the academic skills and knowledge that are the foundation of your  undergraduate education. 

The value of the Core Curriculum will depend largely on the care with which you select courses to meet the requirements.  

What Are the Core Curriculum Requirements?

Undergraduate degree requirements for all students, regardless of major program, include a Core Curriculum as a prerequisite for the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degrees:

How do I complete the Core Curriculum?

For a complete list of courses that may fulfill the core curriculum requirements, please refer to each semester's Course Registration List. 

All Providence College students are expected to complete the Development of Western Civilization sequence during their freshman and sophomore years.

Each core requirement is met differently, some through examination, others by completion of designated courses.  Still others are met by courses that fulfill both Core Curriculum requirements and requirements for specific majors. 

So before selecting core curriculum courses, be sure you know:

• how best to meet the requirement
• how each Core course fit into your overall academic program

How do I meet the requirement in:

Development of Western Civilization

THE REQUIREMENT 

The Development of Western Civilization, often referred to as "DWC" or "Civ," is a 20 credit, interdisciplinary course.  Classes met five times a week under the direction of four-member faculty teams drawn from the disciplines of Art, English, Languages, History, Philosophy, and Theology.

The course will deal with major developments in the making of Western Civilization from the classical period to the present.

Freshman Year: Examination of the Classical, Hebraic, and Christian sources of Western Civ in the first semester; Christendom and the medieval synthesis, followed by the Renaissance and Reformation in the second.

Sophomore Year: The clash of three worldviews: Christianity, the Enlightenment, and Romanticism; the great Revolutions: American, French, Industrial; modernity and the Aisms@: rationalism, nationalism, secularism, capitalism, individualism.

"Development of Western Civilization constitutes the heart fo the liberal arts curriculum at Providence College.  The intention is to provide all students with a sound and well-rounded historical understanding of Western Civilization as a firm basis for further study in more specialized areas and also guide them in reflection on their personal and professional lives.  The program, in brief, represents a reaffirmation of the value of the humanities."

- Professor Brian Barbour, Director

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

1. All freshmen and sophomores are required to complete the sequence during their first and second year.
2. Freshmen should register for DWC 101 - 102.
3. Sophomores should register for DWC 201 - 202.
4. Liberal Arts Honors students are expected to complete the equivalent Honors courses: HON 103 -104 in the freshman year and HON 203 - 204 in the sophomore year.  

English Proficiency

THE REQUIREMENT

All undergraduates must demonstrate proficiency in writing by the end of the sophomore year, as part of the College's Core Curriculum requirements.

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

Proficiency can be demonstrated in the following ways:

1. Advanced Placement Exam in English
   Students who enter Providence College with an AP English score of four (4) or better are granted proficiency.
2. Transfer students who have successfully completed a college-level expository writing course will be granted proficiency when the course credits are accepted by Providence College.
3. All students who score 540 or below on their verbal SAT scores are designated to take English101: Freshman Writing Seminar.  Successful completion of this course will demonstrate proficiency.
4. Students who have scored above 540 on the verbal SAT and who wish to take an English course during their first semester may earn proficiency by taking one of these three courses:
           English 201: Readings in Literature
           English 207: Readings in Dramatic Literature
           English 225: Introduction to Literature (generally reserved for students interested in exploring English as a major.)
5. Students who have scored above 540 on the verbal SAT and who do NOT register for one of these designated courses during their first semester must take the EPE (English Proficiency Exam).  Students may attempt the exam twice during their first semester.  Students whose EPE essays are successful will be granted proficiency.  Those who are not successful after two attempts will be required to take English 101 in a subsequent semester.
6. Liberal Arts Honors students generally satisfy the English proficiency requirement through Honors courses.

Social Science

THE REQUIREMENT   

While the social sciences generally include the disciplines of Anthropology, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Social Work and Sociology, not all courses in these departments will satisfy the Social Science Core requirement.  There are also courses offered in other disciplines and programs like Health Policy & Management, Linguistics and Modern Languages that meet the Social Science Core requirement.

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

This requirement will normally be met as follows:

1. Completion of 6 credits of designated social science courses.
2. These courses may be taken in any combination.
3. The designated courses are listed in the Course Registration List every semester.

Fine Arts

THE REQUIREMENT

Three (3) credits, consisting of any course chosen from a variety of approved and so designated fine arts courses.  The fine arts courses are drawn for the most part from the disciplines of Studio Art, Art History, English, Film, Modern Languages, Music, Theatre, Dance & Film. 

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

There is a diverse array of courses which may be selected to satisfy the Fine Arts Core requirement.  Some of these are studio courses, some are not.  It is wise to consult with the listing each semester that is provided in the Course Registration List before selecting your Fine Arts Core course.

Philosophy

THE REQUIREMENT

Two 3-credit courses in Philosophy are required.   One of these must be a designated course in ethics.  The other may be selected from a variety of electives offered by the Department of Philosophy.

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

It is wise to complete the first year of Development of Western Civilization before
selecting courses to satisfy the Philosophy requirement.  DWC will provide a foundation in philosophy and allow you to make a more informed selection. 

Always examine the Course Registration List book each semester to determine which Philosophy and ethics electives are offered and which are designated as courses which fulfill the Core Curriculum Requirement.  A list of these courses is provided in the front of the Course Registration List.

While many students elect General Ethics to complete the Core requirement in ethics, there are a number of other ethics courses that you might elect depending on your interests, for example, Medical Ethics, Business Ethics, Social Ethics, Ethical Problems and Technology, Ethics, Moral Leadership & the Common Good.
  

Theology

THE REQUIREMENT

 Two 3-credit courses in Theology are required to complete this Core Curriculum requirement.  

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

To fulfill the Core Curriculum requirement in Theology, you must complete one course from each of the two groups below:

Group I: Designated courses in scripture, doctrine and historical theology.
Group II: Designated courses treating the Christian moral and spiritual life. 

Always examine the Course Registration List book each semester to determine which Theology electives are offered and which are designated as Group I and Group II courses.  A list of these courses is provided in the front of the Course Registration List.
 

Natural Science

THE REQUIREMENT

Six (6) credits in the natural sciences, drawn primarily from the disciplines of Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Geology, Anthropology, which have been approved and designated as fulfilling the natural science requirement.

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

You may fulfill the Natural Science Core requirement in the following ways: 

1. Complete two individual, 3-credit courses, one from Group I: Physical Sciences and one from Group II: Biological Sciences.
2. Complete a designated two-semester sequential course  

The list of designated Group I and II courses, and approved sequential courses is provided in the front of the  in the Course Registration List. 

A few notes of caution are recommended when you select the natural science courses to fulfill the Core Curriculum requirement.

1. Not all science courses satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement.
2. Science majors fulfill the Natural Science Core requirement by completing courses within their declared majors.
3.  If you are interested in majoring in one of the sciences, you should take the introductory course(s) recommended for that major.  Many courses offered by science departments are designed to satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement, but do NOT count toward the major.  For example, BIO103 -104: General Biology is required for the Biology major and is recommended for those students interested in exploring the major.  BIO 101-102:Contemporary Biology is a course that satisfies the Core Curriculum but can not be applied for credit toward the Biology major.
4. If you are interested in a major in Elementary Education, you must complete two individudal, 3-credit courses, not a two-semester, sequential course.
5. You may find that you are interested in taking two 3-credit courses from the same Group.  In this case, you should always consult with your advisor first to determine if this is in your best interests academically.  You must obtain the Dean=s approval for this option.
   

Mathematics

THE REQUIREMENT

 Three (3) semester hours, consisting of any course chosen from a variety of approved electives offered by the Department of Mathematics.

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

During Summer Orientation you will take a Math Placement Exam that will help you and your advisor determine what level of mathematics you should consider.  You should always work toward developing your academic skills and in the case of the Core requirement in Mathematics, you should take a course that does not repeat what you already learned in high school. 

Not all math courses satisfy the Core Curriculum requirement, so it is always wise to consult the Course Registration List before making your selection.

Many majors have specific math requirements.  Some majors require more than three credits.  Before selecting a math course to fulfill the Core requirement, make sure that it will satisfy the requirements of any majors you might be considering.  The majors with specific math requirements are listed in the table on the next page. 

Majors with Specific Math Requirements

Math Intensive Majors

*Note that not all math courses fulfill the core requirement in mathematics.  The
core requirement can be met with MTH 105, 107, 108, 109, 110, 131, 132 or 223.  

Non-Departmental Electives

THE REQUIREMENT

Nine (9) credits of electives outside of your major department or program requirements.

COMPLETING THE REQUIREMENT

This requirement can be completed once you have declared your major.  It guarantees that you will have space in your academic program for at least three 3- credit courses that are not required by your major program.  You may complete this requirement by selecting those courses you 'always wanted to take" or by selecting courses that are not required but complement your declared major.

In any event, you will not fulfill this Core requirement until you have declared your major.