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College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offers new undergraduate
department, majors and concentrations
Two new five-year bachelor/master’s programs added
By Maureen McKew
With the fall 2003 semester, the College of Liberal Arts
and Sciences is introducing a new undergraduate department, along with
a number of new majors and concentrations. The College is also adding
to its five year bachelor/master’s programs.
The new Department of Humanities and Augustinian Traditions
has as its mission the inquiry into the human condition and culture from
an interdisciplinary perspective. According to the Rev. Kail C. Ellis,
O.S.A., Ph.D., dean of the College, the new department is grounded in
the conviction that these questions can be investigated critically and
intelligently from the standpoint of faith that seeks understanding.
Dr. Thomas W. Smith, who will hold a joint appointment with the Department
of Political Science, will be the chair. He also will be responsible for
a new concentration called “Augustine in Dialogue with Faith and
Culture.”
A new major, criminal justice, has been established in the Department
of Sociology and will be directed by Dr. William Waegel. This major will
emphasize the justice component of criminal justice by educating students
on the causes of crime and the effectiveness (and implications) of criminal
justice policies.
In response to student demand, a major in Italian has been established
in the Department of Classical Studies and Modern Languages and Literature
(CMLL). Its goal is to enhance student interest in the Italian language
and culture, and complement Villanova’s study abroad programs in
Italy. Dr. Gaetano Pastore, associate professor, CMLL, will direct this
new major.
Dr. Karyn Hollis, associate professor of English, will direct a new concentration
in writing and rhetoric. This interdisciplinary program in the English
and communication departments will promote excellence in thinking, writing
and speaking. Among the requirements are theoretical courses such as “The
History of Rhetoric” plus practical courses like “Introduction
to Journalism.” Students may also focus on creative writing. The
concentration features a practicum type of experience, involving a writing
internship or tutoring in the Writing Center.
“These new programs are part of the College’s mission to promote
student-centered learning through the writing and rhetoric concentration;
to respond to the needs of the times for new programs with the Italian
major, the criminal justice major, and environmental studies; and, through
the establishment of the new Department of Humanities and Augustinian
Traditions, to advance the Augustinian Catholic mission of the University,”
Father Ellis stated.
The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences has implemented two additional
five-year bachelor/master’s programs: a BA/MA in political science
and a BS/MS program in computer science. These will join existing bachelor/master’s
programs in biology and mathematics/statistics.
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