PURPOSE OF COURSE: this two-semester, 12 credit course fulfills the University core requirements in philosophy and theology. Its contents include your activities in field projects as well as readings, classroom discussions and written projects.
The classroom and field projects areintended to complement each other in leading students to reflect upon the meaning of their lives and the society in which they live. In your field placements, you will undoubtedly encounter people, places and situations which will cause you to wonder about much that you had previously taken for granted about our social world. In the class readings, we engage the writings of men and women who have also wondered about their social world and its problems. The plan of the PULSE program is to help you reflect on your experiences in the placements and in readings and to raise further questions about what constitutes human fulfillment, genuine happiness, true human meaning, social justice and peace.
In the second semester, we will focus more on the capacities and limitations of our social, political, educational and economic institutions for meeting the challenges of our day as we together raise the question of what it means to assume responsibility for social problems and social justice.
Texts Required ( All texts are on reserve in O'Neill)
Bible (any authorized version)
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics *
Coles, Robert, The Call of Service *
Himes, Michael, Doing the Truth in Love *
Hyde, Lewis, The Gift
Kozol, Johanthan, Rachel and Her Children *
Nolan, Albert, Jesus Before Christianity *
Plato, Gorgias
Wadell, Paul. Friendship and the Moral Life *
(*denotes books which will also be used second semester. Handouts of other required reading will be made available at cost by the instructor)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: An evaluation of your field work by your field supervisor will count for 40% of your grade. The remaining 60% will be based on mid-term exam (20%, Fri., Oct 27 in class) and final exam, (30%, Tues.,Dec 19, 9:00), on classroom and discussion group participation (20%), and the content of your regular written assignments and PULSE journal (30%). (Please note the Pulse regulation is that a grade of F (failure) in either class or field placement constitutes a failure in the course. n.b. Date for final exam is set by Registrar. Please make your plans accordingly.)
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND DISCUSSION GROUPS: In making up your class and placement schedules, please remember to budget time for discussion group which will meet Monday, 11:00am, 12 noon. Our first discussion groups will be the week of Sept. 18.
The discussion groups will focus on your placement
experiences, questions and reflections pertaining to the readings and larger
issues of social justice.
Please note: The focus of the Pulse Program
is to learn to integrate the serious study of significant theological and
philosophical readings with a demanding social service experience. The
classroom lectures and discussions are an integral part of this learning
process. For this reason attendance at regular classes and discussion
group is required. Unexcused absences from class or discussion group
will adversely affect course grade.
JOURNAL: Journal entries must be written and turned in to the
instructor six times during the
semester (due dates:Sept 20, Oct 4, 18, Nov 1, 15, Dec 6) The
journals are due in class on these dates. Entries for
the journals will draw upon class readings, lectures and/or discussions
to illuminate and criticize the concrete occurrences described in your
detailed descriptions of your placements, people, situations, deeds, thoughts,
feelings which arise in connection with your placement. However, your journal
topics need not be limited to these areas and may range to touch upon any
subject you desire.
Written assignments: From time to time, you may also be given
a "special" reflection topic,
assigned by the instructor in class.
Required Films: Man for All Seasons, Romero
Instructor: Matthew P. Mullane, Director, Faith, Peace and Justice Program
Office: Faith, Peace and Justice Office, Carney 429
Telephone: 552-3886 (office)
Office Hours: Monday 1:00pm -3:00pm , Wed. 11:00am - 12:00pm, 1:00pm
- 3:00 pm, Friday,12:00 - 2:00pm and by appointment
Reading and Course Calendar
Sept 6 Intro. to Course
Sept. 8-15 Function of Story and the Self-understanding of Americans
Readings: Rachel and her Children
Sept 20 Journals due in class
Sept. 18-22 Story and Service
Readings: R. Coles, "Stories and Theories" (handout),
Call of Service, Chapters 1,2
Sept 25-27 Story, Imagination, and Learning
Readings: The Call of Service, Chap 5.
"I Stand Here Ironing" (handout)
Oct 4 Journal due in class
Oct 2-Oct 13 Philosophy and Power: What's the Story?
Readings: Gorgias
Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power (on reserve)
"A Man for All Seasons"(movie)
Oct 9 Columbus Day, No Class
Oct 18 Journal due in class
Oct 16 -Oct 25 Justice, Friendship and the Good Life
Readings: Aristotle:Nicomachean Ethics, BK 1 and 2, 3
sec 1-5,
BK 6, 7 sec. 1-10 and 8,
BK 9, sec 4-9, 10 sec 6-8
Friendship and the Moral Life, Chap 1,2,3.
Oct 27 Mid-term exam
Oct 30-Nov 6 Lamentation and Liberation
Readings: Old Testament, (Selections) Exodus, 2nd Isaiah, Jeremiah,
Amos
"Stories to Live By" (handout)
"Romero" movie
Nov 1 Journal due in class
Nov 8- Nov 16 Liberation, Religion and the Good Life
Readings: Gospel of Luke,
Jesus Before Christianity
"History of Religions as Preparation for Co-operation" (handout)
Nov. 15 Journal due in class
Nov. 20-Dec 1 Gift, the Gifted and the Good Life
Readings: The Gift, chaps 1-5
"Sarah's Copper" (handout)
Nov 22 - Begin Thanksgiving Holiday - No Class
Dec 6 Journal due in class
Dec 4-8 Gift and Service
Readings: Doing the Truth in Love, Chaps 1-4
Dec.19 Final Exam, 9am
PL/TH 089.08 PULSE: Person and Social
Responsibility Spring 01
M.Mullane
MWF 10:00
PURPOSE OF COURSE: this two-semester, 12 credit course fulfills
the University core requirements in philosophy and theology. Its contents
include your activities in field projects as well as readings, classroom
discussions and written projects.
The classroom and field projects are intended to complement each
other in leading students to reflect upon the meaning of their lives and
the society in which they live. In your field placements, you will
undoubtedly encounter people, places and situations which will cause you
to wonder about much that you had previously taken for granted about our
social world. In the class readings, we engage the writings of men
and women who have also wondered about their social world and its problems.
The plan of the PULSE program is to help you reflect on your
experiences in the placements and in readings and to raise further questions
about what constitutes human fulfillment, genuine happiness, true human
meaning, social justice and peace.
In the second semester, we will focus more on the capacities
and limitations of our social, political, educational and economic institutions
for meeting the challenges of our day as we together raise the question
of what it means to assume responsibility for social problems and social
justice.
Texts Required ( All texts are on reserve in O'Neill)
Bible (any authorized version)
Aristotle, Nicomachean Ethics*
Burrell, David, Original Peace
Coles, Robert, The Call of Service*
Himes, Michael, Doing the Truth in Love*
Hyde, Lewis, The Gift,
Gilligan, James, Violence
Melchin, Ken, Living with Other People
Prejean, Helen, Dead Man Walking
Rousseau, J-J, Origins of Inequality
Schorr, Lisbeth, Common Purpose
Wadell, Paul. Friendship and the Moral Life*
( *denotes books held over from first semester. Handouts of other
required reading will be made available at cost by the instructor)
COURSE REQUIREMENTS: An evaluation of your field work by your field supervisor will count for 40% of your grade. The remaining 60% will be based on mid-term exams (30%, Fri., Feb 16, Mar 30, April 30 in class), Final Project, an Institutional analysis, 20-25pp (40%, due April 9, no extensions), on classroom and discussion group participation (10%), and the content of your regular written assignments and PULSE journal (20%). (Please note the Pulse regulation is that a grade of F (failure) in either class or field placement constitutes a failure in the course.)
CLASS PARTICIPATION AND DISCUSSION GROUPS:. In making up
your class and placement schedules, please remember to budget time
for discussion group which will meet Monday, 11:00 am, 12 noon. . Our first
discussion groups will begin the week of Jan 29.
The discussion groups will focus on your placement experiences,
questions and reflections pertaining to the readings and larger issues
of social justice
Please note: The focus of the Pulse
Program is to learn to integrate the serious study of significant theological
and philosophical readings with a demanding social service experience.
The classroom lectures and group discussions are an integral part of this
learning process. For this reason attendance at regular classes and
discussion group is required. Unexcused absences from either class or discussion
group will adversely affect course grade.
JOURNAL: Journal entries must be written and turned in to the
instructor six times during the semester (due dates: Feb 7, Feb 28, Mar
28, April 25 ) The journals are due in class on these dates.
Entries for the journals will draw upon class readings, lectures
and/or discussions to illuminate and criticize the concrete occurrences
described in your detailed descriptions of your placements, people, situations,
deeds, thoughts, feelings which arise in connection with your placement.
However, your journal topics need not be limited to these areas and may
range to touch upon any subject you desire.
Written assignments: From time to time, you may also be given a "special" reflection topic, assigned by the instructor in class
Required Films:
Dead Man Walking
A Simple Plan
Instructor: Matthew P. Mullane, Director, Faith, Peace and
Justice Program
Office: Faith, Peace and Justice Office, Carney 429
Telephone: 552-3886 (office) 508-747-5078 (home)
Office Hours: Monday, 1-4pm, Wed. 11:00am - 12:00pm,
1-3pm
Friday, 11-1, 2-4pm and by appointment