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Humanities

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  • Humanities
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Program Director
Dr. Troy Catterson
(401) 341-4678

Classes are offered at our Newport campus.

About the Ph.D. Program

The Ph.D. offers the humanities as a foundation for understanding a world of accelerating and complex change. Cultivating expertise in traditional humanities fields and building skills as contemporary interdisciplinary scholars, students pursue doctoral research that makes a difference; bridging disciplines and exploring questions of human meaning in a dynamic study of the past, present and future. The humanities Ph.D. was inaugurated in 1989 as an interdisciplinary investigation of the question, "What does it mean to be human in an age of advanced technology?" In one form or another, this question still commands attention in the 21st century. The human-technology relationship remains at the heart of the curriculum allowing students to draw insights and integrate knowledge from a variety of fields: religion, philosophy and ethics; art, literature and new media; history, politics and cultural theory. Students begin by choosing a program area of inquiry that is relevant to their preliminary research problem or issue. Building upon previous studies, professional and life experience, students choose their concentration from four areas of inquiry rooted in the scholarly expertise of faculty, the history of the doctoral program and Mercy mission of Salve Regina University:

  • Technology, Science and Society
  • Culture, Language and Memory
  • Global Ethics and Human Security
  • Community, Self and Social Transformation

Each area presents a different web of possible relationships linking a range of theoretical issues, debates and practical problems with relevant methodologies and modes of inquiry from the humanities and social sciences. Students use the program area of inquiry to leverage prior knowledge and study, work and life experience in developing their own individualized foundation that leads to problem-focused and integrated interdisciplinary research and a distinguished doctoral dissertation.

Humanities (Ph.D.) Student Learning Outcomes

At the completion of the program, students will be able to:

  1. Interpret and evaluate primary evidence and literature, to explain and critique subject matter and perspectives from the Humanities and from the area of inquiry and specific concentration fields. Students will be able to succinctly explain and summarize state of knowledge in fields relevant to the area of inquiry and dissertation research in oral and written form.
  2. Engage in research that crosses the boundaries of traditional academic disciplines.
  3. Demonstrate advanced knowledge of a focused area in the Humanities and in their chosen area of inquiry.
  4. Be adept at clearly formulating and defending a complex argument for a thesis. They will be able to choose a methodology that is appropriate to proving their thesis.
  5. Bring a specific area of the Humanities into dialog with a particular area of technology and/or science.

(Source: Assessment Report 2022)

Doctorates

  • Humanities Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
HUM-600:  Humanities Problems and Perspectives  (3 Credits)  

Focused on the history of ideas, students survey core readings in the humanities. Perspectives, problems and debates concerning the human relationship to culture and technology are considered in the fields of philosophy, religion, literature, history and art. This course lays the interdisciplinary foundation for the related methods course, HUM-618, and later dissertation work. Students prepare an interdisciplinary bibliographic essay on a significant humanities problem or debate.

HUM-605:  Philosophical Perspectives on Digital Age  (3 Credits)  
Pre-requisite(s): HUM-600 and HUM-618 or permission of program director are required.  

This course provides opportunities for students to investigate technology in a historical context as the organization and institutionalization of knowledge for practical purposes. Students examine the effects of technology on the traditional human wisdom that has served as a stabilizing force throughout history.

HUM-610:  Religion, Culture and Technology  (3 Credits)  
Pre-requisite(s): HUM-600 and HUM-618 or permission of program director are required.  

This course examines the interaction between religion, culture, the human person and the earth, using both general theories of religion and particular traditions. Areas explored include interpretations of technology, science, work, social justice, spirituality, morality, evil and death.

HUM-617:  Political Philosophy and Technology  (3 Credits)  
Pre-requisite(s): HUM-600 and HUM-618 or permission of program director are required.  

This course examines the role that technology plays in creating political systems that are just and fair. After looking at the origins of the Western liberal tradition in the political philosophy of Plato and Aristotle, we then trace a line of thinking through Locke, Jefferson, and Kant. We close with readings from the contemporary political philosopher John Rawls. Our final objective is to determine the effects particular technological advances have had on the evolution of Western political liberalism and on the adaptability of modern liberal democracy to the developing world.

HUM-618:  Humanities Theory, Method and the Disciplines  (3 Credits)  

This course surveys research methods and theoretical frameworks in the humanities. Students review basic critical and empirical research methods, pure vs. applied research, and quantitative vs. qualitative approaches. Models that combine scholarly perspectives are emphasized, as well as major debates concerning the uses of evidence, theory and method within and across disciplines. Case studies focus on humanities approaches and questions as they intersect with the dilemmas of technological society.

HUM-620:  Social Transformation Through Art  (3 Credits)  
Pre-requisite(s): HUM-600 and HUM-618 or permission of program director are required.  

Students examine social change as reflected in, and caused by, the imagery of art. The course critiques important connections among art, technology and philosophical ideas expressed during periods of significant technological progress.

HUM-621:  A History of Technology  (3 Credits)  

This course investigates technology's impact on the human condition throughout history. Considered in this investigation are advances in technology based on human ingenuity, observation, and experimentation. Practical examples are taken from fields such as agriculture, communication, education, manufacturing, medicine, and business.

HUM-625:  Ethics and Modern Technology  (3 Credits)  
Pre-requisite(s): HUM-600 and HUM-618 or permission of program director are required.  

Guided by the key principles of traditional western ethics - human dignity, justice, freedom, goodness, the common good and truth telling - this course considers how modern technology affects the human experience. Selected moral questions arising from the use of science-based and capital-driven technology are examined, e.g., the search for a more comprehensive ethic than the cost-benefit calculations of popular utilitarianism.

HUM-630:  Modern Literature and the Human Condition  (3 Credits)  
Pre-requisite(s): HUM-600 and HUM-618 or permission of program director are required.  

This course is based on imaginative works that reflect conflicting moral and technological dilemmas of contemporary life. Classes focus on a range of major authors whose fiction, drama and poetry illumine the human situation in the 21st century.

HUM-635:  Culture, Society and the Global Condition  (3 Credits)  
Co-requisite(s): HUM-670 must be taken at the same time as this course.  

This course offers a final opportunity for students to integrate perspectives drawn from coursework in the broader humanities with work in their chosen program areas. Students and faculty work to develop a synthetic understanding of the global condition relative to accelerating technological changes and diverse cultural and societal influences. This course precedes the comprehensive examination and admission into the dissertation phase. It must be taken as the last 600-level humanities course.

HUM-645:  Research Colloquium  (1-3 Credits)  

Research colloquium may be taken for 1-3 credits to fulfill the doctoral research requirement.

HUM-670:  Comprehensive Exam  (0 Credits)  
Co-requisite(s): HUM-635 is required to be taken at the same time as this course.  

In this course students who have completed all of their coursework, their language requirement and at least one subject field take the comprehensive exam. The comprehensive exam is designed to test the students' knowledge and comprehension of the material covered in their classes. Each instructor will set questions pertinent to the material covered in their class. Students must answer four questions. Passing the HUM-670 is the pre-requisite for entry to the HUM-680, the dissertation reading and writing class.

PhD Comp Exam Fee:  $250.00  
HUM-680:  Dissertation Research & Writing  (3 Credits)  
Pre-requisite(s): HUM-670 is required.  

Students are expected to enroll in Dissertation Research and Writing each fall and spring until the final version of the dissertation is accepted. Mentoring and guidance is provided to the student during the process of researching, writing, revising and defending the dissertation.

2024-2025 Edition

  • Undergraduate Catalog
    • Introduction
    • Admissions
    • Financial Information
    • Financial Aid
    • FERPA and Student Records
    • Student Affairs
    • Academic Policies
    • Academic Resources
    • The Curriculum and Degree Programs
    • Academic Programs
      • Art and Art History
        • Art History (B.A.)
        • Art History Minor
        • Studio Art (B.A.)
        • Studio Art Minor
      • Biology
        • Biology (B.A.)
        • Biology (B.S.)
        • Biology (B.S.) Leading to Pharm.D.
        • Biology and Secondary Education (B.A.S.)
        • Biology Minor
        • Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.) (3+1)
        • Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.) (4+1)
        • Neuroscience Minor
      • Business and Economics
        • Accounting (B.S.)
        • Accounting Minor
        • Business Administration (B.S.)
        • Business Administration Minor
        • Economics (B.A.)
        • Economics (B.S.)
        • Economics Minor
        • Entrepreneurship Minor
        • Finance (B.S.)
        • Finance Minor
        • Global Business and Economics (B.S.)
        • Global Business and Economics Minor
        • Healthcare Administration (B.S.)
        • Healthcare Administration Minor
        • Hospitality and Tourism Management Minor
        • Marketing (B.S.)
        • Marketing Minor
        • Mathematical Finance Minor
        • Sports Management Minor
      • Chemistry
        • Biochemistry (B.A.)
        • Biochemistry (B.A.) Leading to Pharm.D.
        • Biochemistry (B.S.)
        • Chemistry &​ Secondary Education (B.A.S.)
        • Chemistry (B.A.)
        • Chemistry (B.A.) Leading to Biomedical Engineering (B.S.) at UMass Dartmouth
        • Chemistry (B.A.) Leading to Chemical or Biomedical Engineering (B.S.) at Washington University
        • Chemistry (B.S.)
        • Chemistry Minor
      • Criminal Justice and Criminology
        • Criminal Justice and Criminology (B.A.)
        • Criminal Justice and Criminology Minor
        • Cybersecurity Minor
        • Psychology of Crime Minor
      • Cultural and Historic Preservation
        • Cultural and Historic Preservation (B.A.)
        • Cultural and Historic Preservation Minor
      • Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies
        • Environmental Studies (B.A.)
        • Environmental Studies Minor
        • Food Studies Minor
        • Global Studies (B.A.)
        • Global Studies Minor
        • Sociology and Anthropology (B.A.)
        • Sociology and Anthropology Minor
        • Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies Minor
      • Education
        • Secondary Education (B.A.S.)
        • Early Childhood and Special Education (B.S.)
        • Early Childhood Education (B.S.)
        • Elementary Education (B.S.)
        • Elementary Education and Special Education (B.S.)
        • Music Education (B.A.S.)
        • Secondary Education Minor
        • Special Education Minor
      • Engineering (3+2 Dual Degree)
      • English for Academic Purposes
      • English, Communications and Media
        • Communications (B.A.)
        • Communications Minor
        • Creative Writing and Publishing (B.A.)
        • Creative Writing Minor
        • Film Minor (Interdisciplinary)
        • Literature (B.A.)
        • Literature and Secondary Education (B.A.S.)
        • Literature Minor
      • General Studies
      • History
        • American History (B.A.)
        • European History (B.A.)
        • History and Secondary Education (B.A.S.)
        • History Minor
      • Liberal Studies
      • Mathematical Sciences
        • Data Analytics Minor
        • Dual Degree Mathematics (B.A.) and Data Science (M.S.)
        • Mathematical Finance Minor
        • Mathematics (B.A.)
        • Mathematics (B.A.) leading to Electrical, Mechanical, or Systems Science and Engineering (B.S.)
        • Mathematics and Secondary Education (B.A.S.)
        • Mathematics Minor
      • Modern Languages
        • French and Francophone Studies (B.A.)
        • French and Francophone Studies Minor
        • Hispanic Studies (B.A.)
        • Hispanic Studies Minor
        • Italian Studies Minor
        • World Languages Education -​ French (B.A.S.)
        • World Languages Education -​ Spanish (B.A.S.)
      • Music, Theatre and Dance
        • Dance (B.A.)
        • Dance Minor
        • Music (B.A.)
        • Music Education (B.A.S.)
        • Music Minor
        • Theatre Arts (B.A.)
        • Theatre Arts Minor
      • Nursing
        • Nursing (B.S.)
      • Pell Honors Program
      • Pharmacy (3+3 Dual Degree)
      • Philosophy
        • Philosophy (B.A.)
        • Philosophy Minor
      • Political Science and International Relations
        • Political Science (B.A.)
        • Political Science Minor
      • Psychology
        • ABA Minor
        • Psychology (B.A.)
        • Psychology Minor
      • Religious and Theological Studies
        • Religious and Theological Studies (B.A.)
        • Religious and Theological Studies Minor
      • Social Work
        • Human Services Minor
        • Social Work (B.S.)
    • Course Descriptions
      • Accounting (ACC)
      • Applied Technology (APT)
      • Arabic (ARA)
      • Art (ART)
      • Biochemistry (BCH)
      • Biology (BIO)
      • Chemistry (CHM)
      • Chinese (CHN)
      • Communications (COM)
      • Computer Science (CSC)
      • Creative Writing &​ Publishing (CWP)
      • Criminal Justice and Criminology (CJC)
      • Cultural &​ Historic Preservation (CHP)
      • Cultural, Environmental and Global Studies (CEG)
      • Dance (DNC)
      • Data Science Analytics (DSA)
      • Early Childhood Education (ELC)
      • Economics (ECN)
      • Elementary Education (EDC)
      • English (ENG)
      • English for Academic Purposes (EAP)
      • Environmental Studies (ENV)
      • Film Studies (FLM)
      • First Year Transitions (FYT)
      • French (FRN)
      • General Studies (GST)
      • German (GRM)
      • Global Studies (GLO)
      • Health Care Administration (HCA)
      • History (HIS)
      • Italian (ITL)
      • Latin (LAT)
      • Linguistics (LIN)
      • Management &​ Business Admin (MGT)
      • Mathematics (MTH)
      • Medical Laboratory Sciences (MED)
      • Military Science &​ Leadership (MSL)
      • Music History &​ Theory (MSC)
      • Music Instruction (Individual) (MSI)
      • Music Performance (MSP)
      • Nursing (NUR)
      • Pell Honors Program (PEL)
      • Philosophy (PHL)
      • Physics (PHY)
      • Political Science (POL)
      • Portuguese (PTG)
      • Psychology (PSY)
      • Religious &​ Theolog Studies (RTS)
      • Science (SCI)
      • Secondary Education (SCD)
      • Social Work (SWK)
      • Sociology and Anthropology (SOA)
      • Spanish (SPA)
      • Special Education (SED)
      • Statistics (STA)
      • Theatre Arts (THE)
      • University Seminar (UNV)
      • Women, Gender and Sexuality Studies (WGS)
    • Course Search
    • Board of Trustees
    • Administration
    • Full Time Faculty
    • Professional Librarians
  • Graduate and Professional Studies Catalog
    • Introduction
    • Admissions
    • Financial Information
    • FERPA and Student Records
    • Academic Policies
    • University Services
    • Academic Facilities
    • Academic Programs
      • Business and Economics
        • Business Intelligence for Organizational Progress Certificate
        • Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.)
        • Organizational Culture Transformation Certificate
        • Organizational Transformation and Leadership (M.S.)
        • Strategic Transformation and Sustainable Management Certificate
      • Counselor Education and Expressive Arts
        • Clinical Counseling (M.A.)
        • Clinical Mental Health;​ Concentration in Holistic Counseling Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies
        • Mental Health: Rehabilitation Counseling Concentration Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies
        • Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies
        • Professional Applications of the Expressive and Creative Arts Certificate of Graduate Studies
      • Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity
        • Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity (M.S.)
        • Cyberthreat Management and Response Certificate of Graduate Studies
        • Intelligence and Analysis Tradecraft Certificate of Graduate Studies
        • Leadership in Justice Certificate of Graduate Studies
      • Fine Arts
        • Creative Writing, Low-​Residency Master of Fine Arts
      • Healthcare Administration
        • Cybersecurity in Healthcare Administration Certificate
        • Healthcare Administration Certificate of Graduate Studies
        • Healthcare Administration Master of Science (M.S.)
        • Healthcare Leadership Certificate of Graduate Studies
      • Humanities
        • Humanities Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
      • International Relations
        • International Relations Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
        • International Relations Master of Arts (M.A.)
      • Nursing
        • Nursing (M.S.) with a FNP concentration
        • Nursing (M.S.) with a Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner Concentration
        • Post-​MSN Certificate -​ Family Nurse Practitioner
        • Post-​MSN Certificate Psychiatric Mental Health Nurse Practitioner
        • Post-​MSN Doctorate of Nursing Practice
      • Psychology: Behavior Analysis
        • Behavior Analysis (M.S.)
        • Behavior Analysis (Ph.D)
      • RN-​BS Nursing Program (Professional Studies)
        • Nursing Professional Studies (RN-​BS)
    • Course Descriptions
      • Biology (BIO)
      • Counseling (COU)
      • Criminal Justice and Cybersecurity (CJC)
      • English (ENG)
      • Health Care Administration (HCA)
      • History (HIS)
      • Holistic Counseling (HLC)
      • Humanities (HUM)
      • International Relations (INR)
      • Management &​ Business Admin (MGT)
      • Nursing (NUR)
      • Philosophy (PHL)
      • Psychology (PSY)
      • Rehabilitation Counseling (RHB)
      • Religious &​ Theological Studies (RTS)
      • Sociology and Anthropology (SOA)
      • Statistics (STA)
      • University Seminar (UNV)
    • Course Search
    • Board of Trustees
    • Administration
    • Full Time Faculty
    • Professional Librarians
  • Archived Catalogs

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 2024-2025 Salve Regina University

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