Patrick Byrne, Instructor

Office: Carney 216 e-mail: byrne@bc.edu

Office Hours: Wednesdays, 1:00-2:00

Thursdays, 12:00-1:00, And by appointment!!!

This is a two-semester, 12 credit course fulfilling all core requirements in philosophy and theology. Its contents include your activities in field projects as well as readings, classroom discussions, and conferences with the instructor. You may select your field involvement from the range of field projects sponsored by the Pulse Program. (Contact the Pulse Office, McElroy 117.)

The classroom and field project are intended to complement each other in leading students to reflect upon the meaning of their lives and the society they live in. In your field projects, you will undoubtedly encounter places, people and situations which will cause you to wonder about much that you had previously taken for granted. The focus of the class readings will be on the writings of men and women who have entertained similar questions. These experiences and readings will lead us to consider the capacities and limitations of our social, political and economic institutions for meeting the challenges of our day. They will raise questions as to what constitutes human fulfillment, genuine happiness. Through our discussions and readings, you will be engaged in the challenge of personal self-discovery and growth as they relate to the question of what it means to assume responsibility for social problems.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS: An evaluation of your field work by your field supervisor will count for 40% of your grade. (N.B.: If you have difficulty being placed in your field project, you must speak with me.) The remaining 60% will be based on the midterm and final exams on the readings, classroom and discussion group participation, and the content of your regular written assignments. These will include (A) four (4) short papers, and (B) additional assignments contributing to your year-long project of Institutional Analysis.

CLASS PARTICIPATION AND DISCUSSION GROUPS: Initially we will be meeting as a whole class twice a week, concentrating on the assigned readings. We will begin meeting in smaller discussion groups (officially designated "PL 080, sections 09 & 10) the week of September 10. Discussion group times are as follows:

Tuesdays, 12:00-12:50 (PL080, section 09, Carney Hall 307)

Wednesdays, 11:00-11:50 (PL080, section 10, Carney Hall 307)

From then on, in addition to the three regular meetings of the class as a whole (TTh 10:30), your discussion group will also meet on a weekly basis. The discussion groups will focus on your project experiences, questions and reflections pertaining to the readings, and periodic assignments. The Assignment for the week of September 11 is Rachel Remen, "In the Service of Life" (Photocopied material to be distributed).

(N.B. If you find it difficult to speak up in a group setting, please see me.)

REGULAR WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: (A) Each student must submit four (4) short papers. of 4-5 pages each. Each paper should have two parts--PART I: take a theme or idea from the class readings and explain it. What did the author mean? What was his/her approach, method? etc. Then, PART II: apply the idea or theme to some issue, event, etc. that happened at your field placement. (Your other life experiences are also welcome here.) [You will be evaluated both for the accuracy of PART I, and the creativity, insightfulness, and seriousness of PART II.] These papers are due on the following dates: September 20, October 11, November 8, and November 29.

(B) In addition, everyone must complete regular, assigned installments on her or his "Institutional Analysis." An important part of this course consists in understanding the ways in which we are social creatures, what benefits we inherit from our social memberships, what responsibilities we have to society and history, what ills betrouble social groups, and how social institutions function to promote or inhibit the realization of a just society. The Institutional Analysis assignment for this course is designed to help you begin to think concretely about these issues. It will help you understand and explore them through the lens of the agency you volunteer for. Instructions for composing institutional analysis are available on a separate sheet.

Week of: Reading Assignment

September 3 - 10 Introduction , Axline, Dibs: In Search of Self

Carter, "Insufficiency of Honesty" (Photocopied, to be distributed)

September 17 - 24 Plato, Gorgias

Lonergan: "Beliefs" (Photocopied, to be distributed)

October 1 - 15 Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics

October 18 MIDTERM EXAM

October 22 Eliade, The Sacred and the Profane

October 29 Parks, "Meaning and Faith" (Photocopied material to be distributed)

Lonergan: "Religion" (Photocopied material to be distributed)

November 5 - 12 Himes, Doing the Truth in Love, Chapters 1 - 6

Lonergan, "The Question of God" (Photocopied, to be distributed)

November 19 - 26 Haughton, The Transformation of Man, Chapters 1 - 3

December 3 St. Augustine, Confessions