Core Curriculum/Undergraduate School
At the heart of a Providence College undergraduate education is its Core Curriculum, a prerequisite for the bachelor of arts (B.A.) or bachelor of science (B.S.) degree. The Core Curriculum—whose foundation is the mandatory two-year, interdisciplinary Development of Western Civilization (DWC) Program—grounds students in scientific literacy and instills a basic understanding of the range of human interactions through the varied lenses of psychology, sociology, anthropology, art, history, literature, theology, and philosophy. The core gives students the tools to define their intellectual and professional futures. It also helps students develop and strengthen their critical-thinking, creative problem-solving, and effective-reasoning skills—prerequisites for success in any career.

The Core Curriculum consists of 20 credits of the DWC Program; six credits each of social science, natural science, philosophy (mandatory three credits in ethics), and theology; three credits each of mathematics and fine arts; and nine credits of non-departmental electives.

The DWC Program grounds students in the Western cultural tradition through a sequence of team-taught courses. The courses, which span Western Civilization from its beginnings to the present, explore the relationships among the culture’s fine arts, history, literature, philosophy, and theology.

For more information about the Core Curriculum, call the Office of the Dean of Undergraduate Studies at (401) 865-2495, consult the Undergraduate Catalog, or click on Academics > Undergraduate Studies > Core Curriculum on the PC Web site. For more information on the DWC Program, contact Dr. Karen A. Holland, director, at (401) 865-2231 or at kholland@providence.edu, or click on Academics > Undergraduate Studies > Development of Western Civilization on the PC Web site.