Requirements

The Doctor of Arts degree requires completion of a minimum of 72 credits beyond the bachelor’s degree, or 51 credits beyond the master’s.
Course work in the principal academic area is divided into two sections, each introduced by an interdisciplinary seminar; a final concluding seminar is completed as the last course before the comprehensive examination. The three seminars comprise nine credits of course work; students also complete a total of 24 semester hours in 700-level courses to round out the total of 33 credits in the principal academic area.

A.
Seminar I – The Patterns of Modernization in Historical Perspective (HIS 710)

An examination of the dynamics of the process of modernization in different states and societies in the modern world. The study will focus on the economic, political, cultural, religious and other social dimensions of the modernization process. In addition to this seminar, students take courses in this area of study, for example:

  • Technology and Transformation in Western Europe (HIS 718) Dr. Coppa, Department of History
  • Terrorism: Ireland and the Holy Land (His 720) Dr. Griffin, Department of History
  • Modernization and the Secular Alternatives (HIS 714) Dr. Bulman, Department of Theology and Religious Studies
  • Culture, Personality and Modernization (HIS 728) Dr. Rossi, Department of Sociology and Anthropology
  • Theorists of Political Modernization (HIS 730) Staff
  • Development of Japan’s Political Economy (HIS 732) Dr. Nester, Department of Government and Politics
  • Modernization and American Foreign Policy in the Twentieth Century (HIS 755) Dr. Ninkovich, Department of History
  • Readings and Research in the Area of Modernization (HIS 990) Staff

B.
Seminar II – The International Implications of Modernization (HIS 750)

A study of the increased interaction and interdependence (diplomatic, cultural, economic, social and military) of the peoples and states of the world flowing from modernization and industrialization, their impact on urgent world problems, and Globalization.

Sample courses in the Area of Seminar II:

  • Energy Ethics (HIS) 752) Dr. Califano, Department of Philosophy
  • The Emergence of Total War (HIS 754) Dr. Griffin, Department of History
  • The World in Upheaval: Europe and the World Since 1776 (HIS 756) Dr. Coppa, Department of History
  • America Abroad: The United States and Modernization (HIS 757) Dr. Ninkovich, Department of History
  • Chinese Revolutionaries in Office (HIS 762) Dr. Kinkley, Department of History
  • The Information Revolution and the Formation of a Global Society (HIS 766) Staff
  • Directed Readings and Research in the International Implications of Modernization (HIS 991) Staff

C.
Finally, all students will complete their course work in the principal academic area by taking the concluding seminar. Global Awareness and the Contemporary World (HIS 799), which will integrate the earlier course work while relating the material to the professional skills work.