Curriculum

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 nature of modernity in global perspective. The seminar will focus on the economic, political, cultural, gender, religious and social dimensions. In addition to this seminar, students take courses in this area of study, for example:

  • Theorists of Political Modernization (HIS 730) Dr. Borrero, Department of History
  • Patterns of Modernization in the Post-Confucian World (HIS 712) Dr. Kinkley, Department of History
  • Technology and Transformation in Western Europe (HIS 718) Dr. Augustine, Department of History
  • Modernization in Sub-Sahara Africa (HIS 724) Dr. Tuchscherer, Department of History
  • Modernization and the Secular Alternative (HIS 714) Dr. Bulman, Department of Theology and Religious Studies
  • Readings and Research in the Area of Modernization (HIS 990) Staff"

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

A seminar focused on globalization, transnationalism and international relations in historical perspective.

Sample courses in the area of Seminar II:

  • Women and Modernization:  An Introduction (HIS 734), Drs. Augustine and Carey, Department of History
  • America Abroad: The United States and Modernization (HIS 757) Staff, Department of History
  • The New Imperialism in Africa:  Causes and Consequences (HIS 768) Dr. Tuchscherer, Department of History
  • Modern Religious Pluralism and World Peace, Dr. Bulman, Department of Theology
  • Chinese Revolutionaries in Office (HIS 762) Dr. Kinkley, Department of History
  • The Information Revolution and the Formation of a Global Society (HIS 766) Dr. Schmidt-Horning, Department of History

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.