Course Description: This two-semester, twelve-credit course fulfills all core requirements in Philosophy and Theology. In this course, students will combine academic study with a commitment to community service through field placements sponsored by the PULSE program. In the classroom, we will study a variety of texts, ancient and modern, including some of the classic works of western philosophy, theology and scripture, literature and sociology. We will pay special attention to ethical, social and political questions, addressing the themes of justice, equality, duty, community, the good life, and the divine. Our study will be guided by three general goals. First, we will attempt to evaluate and compare the approaches of the texts we are studying in order to achieve an historical understanding of the different answers to important questions and the different ways of assessing and criticizing existing institutions and social practices. Second, we will challenge these answers and critiques in the hope that, by engaging others, we may better understand the merits and the limitations of our own point of view. Third, we will raise the question, again and again, of the relationship between theory and practice. In posing this question and in reading classic texts into and through your placement experiences, we hope to be able to make better sense of our social world, our actions, our responsibilities, and ourselves.

Course Requirements:

1. PULSE Field Placement. The placement process will be explained on the first day of class.

2. Class Participation/Discussion - You are expected to ask questions in class and to be active participants in weekly discussion sections. Failure to pose questions, make comments or participate regularly in class and/or discussion group will obviously result in a lower participation grade at the end of the semester. As part of the participation grade, I will ask each of you to prepare a discussion topic for selected meetings of our weekly discussion sections. I may also ask you to prepare written questions on the reading and present them to the rest of the class. If it becomes apparent to me that many of you are not doing the reading on time, I will begin giving short quizzes in class. Finally, excessive absence from class and/or discussion group is unacceptable, and will result in a reduction of your overall grade at the instructor’s discretion.

3. Journal Entries. You must complete a journal entry on different occasions over the course of the semester. The entries should consist, first, of a description of some person, place, or situation related to your placement, and, second, of your own reflection on the experience(s) you are describing. You might ask yourself what a particular experience has meant to you, what you have learned from it, or how it is connected to one of the themes or texts we are studying. Good journals typically combine reflection on a placement experience with analysis of a topic from class or the reading. Each of the journal entries should be approximately two typed pages in length, and must be submitted (print-copy) by the specified due date.

4. One paper (4-5 pp.) on an assigned topic. All papers must be double-spaced, 10-12 pt. font. All primary and secondary sources used for your papers should be properly cited with footnotes and/or an accompanying "Work Cited" or "Bibliography" page, and all students are expected to be familiar with the University policy on plagiarism. Unless otherwise stated, papers must be handed in at the beginning of class on the days they are due. Please do not e-mail copies of your paper to me. If you are having trouble finishing your paper because of unusual circumstances please see me at least twenty-four hours in advance. Otherwise, late papers will result in a deduction of your grade by one-third letter per day (e.g., B+ to B).

5. A midterm examination, taken in class.

6. A comprehensive final examination, taken during exam week.

Course Grade: Your overall semester grade will be determined by combining your classroom grade with a grade for your field work submitted to me by your placement supervisor. 60% of your semester grade will be based on your performance in the classroom, and 40% will be based on your work at your placement, as evaluated by your supervisor. Your classroom grade will be determined in the following manner:

Participation – 12.5%

Journals – 12.5%

Paper – 25%

Midterm exam - 25%

Final exam - 25%

Office Hours: I am available during office hours to discuss questions about the readings, the assignments, or any other issues relating to the course. My office hours are Mondays from 12-2 p.m., and my office is located in Carney Hall, Room 273. If you cannot meet during office hours, I am also available by appointment. You can reach me or leave a voice-mail at extension 23848. My e-mail address is boettcja@bc.edu.

Required Texts for the Fall Semester:

Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics (Macmillan)

Augustine, Confessions (Hackett)

Albert Camus, The Plague (Vintage)

Robert Coles, The Call of Service (Houghton Mifflin) (see below)

Jonathan Kozol, Amazing Grace (HarperCollins)

Plato, The Republic (Hackett)

The Bible (see below)

Library Reserve (also required):

Hannah Arendt, selections from Eichmann in Jerusalem (Penguin)

Please note that I have ordered The Catholic Study Bible/New American Bible from Oxford University Press, which edition includes an excellent "Reading Guide." However, you should feel free to use another edition or personal copy if you so wish. Also note that both the Bible and Robert Coles’ The Call of Service will be required texts for the spring semester as well.

Finally, you should keep in mind that most of the readings for this course range from difficult to very difficult. Following a few important guidelines, however, will enable you to overcome problems you may encounter in understanding the readings. First, it is imperative that you do all of the assigned reading before each class. Second, provide yourself with enough time to read the material slowly and carefully. If you attempt to read these texts too quickly, they will not be intelligible. Finally, attend each class session. Thoughtful questions and class discussion are valuable additions to this course, and are often essential for coming to terms with difficult philosophical works.

September 5 W Introduction

7 F Arendt, selections from Eichmann in Jerusalem

10 M Kozol, Amazing Grace, Ch. 1-3

12 W Kozol, Amazing Grace, Ch. 4-5

14 F Kozol, Amazing Grace, Ch. 6-end

17 M Coles, The Call of Service, "Introduction"

19 W Plato, Republic, Book I

21 F Plato, Republic, Book I

24 M Plato, Republic, Book II

26 W Plato, Republic, Books II-III

28 F Plato, Republic, Book III

October 1 M Plato, Republic, Book IV Journals Due

3 W Plato, Republic, Books IV-V

5 F Plato, Republic, Books V-VI

8 M No Class - Columbus Day

10 W Plato, Republic, Book VI

12 F Plato, Republic, Book VII

15 M Plato, Republic, Book VIII

17 W Coles, The Call of Service, Chs. 1-2

19 F In-Class Examination Midterm Examination

22 M Aristotle, Ethics, Book I

24 W Aristotle, Ethics, Book I

26 F Aristotle, Ethics, Book II

29 M Aristotle, Ethics, Book VI

31 W Aristotle, Ethics, Books VIII-IX

November 2 F Aristotle, Ethics, Books VIII-IX Journals Due

5 M Augustine, Confessions, Books 1-2

7 W Augustine, Confessions, Books 3-4 (selections)

9 F Augustine, Confessions, Books 6-7 (selections)

12 M Augustine, Confessions, Book 8

14 W Book of Job

16 F Book of Isaiah Paper Due

21 - 23 No Classes - Thanksgiving Break

26 M Camus, The Plague, Part I

28 W Camus, The Plague, Part II Journals Due

30 F Camus, The Plague, Part III

3 M Camus, The Plague, Part IV

5 W Camus, The Plague, Part V

7 F Coles, The Call of Service, Ch. 3

10M Conclusion Journals Due