Prof. David McMenamin

Carney 262 -- 552-3868 or PULSE Office, McElroy 117 -- 552-3495

email: mcmenamd@bc.edu

Office Hours: Mondays and Wednesdays, 1:00 - 2:30. Or by appointment.

This two semester, twelve credit course fulfills all core requirements in Philosophy and Theology. Course materials and methods consist of reading of classical philosophy texts, scripture and other reading that might be expected in any introductory level Philosophy and Theology course; regular writing assignments; and in-term and final exams. Classroom meetings will be a mix of lecture and discussion of assigned reading.

In addition to these standard approaches to the study of these disciplines, PULSE requires a significant commitment to community service for the entire two semester course. Students will choose (and be chosen for) a service placement from the roster of supervised projects sponsored by the PULSE Program. Except in rare instances, students are responsible for the selection of their placement through a process facilitated by the PULSE Program staff. The details of this process will be described the first day in class. If you are not present for that explanation or if you are encountering difficulties in the placement process, it is up to you to be sure that you speak with me.

Finally, on Wednesday, September 19, we will begin meeting in discussion groups for one hour each week. Discussion groups are every Wednesday after that date at either 10:00 or 11:00 -- you must have one of these times open in your schedule. Initially I will determine the topics, eventually, they will be designed by you.

Person and Social Responsibility consists of two components: the classroom and the field. 60% of your semester grade will be determined by classroom performance including tests, writing assignments, participation, attendance and discussion; 40% will be based on your community service field work.

The class portion of the grade will be determined on the basis of the following requirements:

1. Two in-term exams and a final exam will be given. There is also the possibility of periodic short quizzes (if I determine that students are coming to class unprepared to discuss the readings). The date of the mid-term exam is given in the attached Class Schedule.. The final exam is scheduled for Dec. 18 @ 9:00am, a date determined by the registrar for the time block of this class. Although there may be an option for a take-home final exam, you should assume that I will adhere to the assigned date – so plan (or don’t plan) your semester break travel accordingly.
2. Regular class attendance, with that day's reading assignment completed, is expected. Consistent lack of preparation and/or regular absence will result in a reduction of the grade at the professor's discretion.
3. Class Participation, although not a graded component of the course, is an important component of this class. If you do not volunteer, you can expect to be called upon. If you are not prepared, you can expect that quizzes will become a regular component of the class.

Required texts: (These are all in the Theology section of the Book Store)

Read the PULSE Print; complete your registration form and submit it by Friday, Sept. 7 at the PULSE Office, McElroy 117. Attend the Town Meeting on Wednesday evening, September 12th; 7:00pm; Devlin 008. For you to get the placement or kind of placement you want, this process requires your active participation.

Thursday, December 6 --