Admission to this course will be by interview and faculty approval. To be considered for the course, you will need to complete an application by 5pm, October 23, 2020. Students will be notified via email if they are selected to move on to the interview portion of the selection process. Interviews will be conducted between October 26 and November 5. Students will be notified of their final status no later than Saturday, November 7, so that they can plan their spring semester courses accordingly.
THEO/PHIL449501: Self-knowledge and Discernment: The Experience of Pilgrimage is a 3-credit course taught by Fr. Michael C. Magree, S.J. It counts as either a theology or a philosophy elective. It does NOT count as a theology or philosophy core course.
This course will meet seven times during the Spring 2021 semester on alternate Thursdays from 10 a.m. - 12 noon. Unless Boston College revises the dates of the Spring semester, the course meeting dates should be: January 21, February 4, February 18, March 11, March 25, April 8, and April 22.
The trip will occur immediately following the end of Spring semester. The pilgrimage to Spain is currently scheduled for June 1-17, 2021. We encourage students to explore Europe and take advantage of what it has to offer after the conclusion of the program. (Note: Students may not separate from the group until the program ends on June 17.)
Because of the global Covid-19 pandemic, we cannot be sure right now that the concluding pilgrimage in Spain will be able to take place. We are aiming still for that goal, but student safety is our most important concern and if the risk is too great we will not go to Spain. We have prepared two backup pilgrimage options. One is a wilderness pilgrimage starting from Moab, Utah, organized by Cor Expeditions, and the other is a new pilgrimage route between two Catholic shrines to St. Mary on a route that crosses the Kettle Moraine forest in Wisconsin. Both options will retain the dynamic of rustic group walking/hiking toward a Catholic religious holy site. Course leadership will be in consistent contact with University and government leaders about the decision of pilgrimage location and will communicate regularly with students about the decision.
If you are admitted, you will register for the course during your scheduled registration time, November 10-17, 2020, for the Spring 2021 semester. Please note that you can only register for the course with an override code from Fr. Magree.
While there is no requirement or expectation that students identify as being religious and/or spiritual to participate in the course, we expect each student to approach this course with a sense of openness and a willingness to explore, learn, and be fully present in the experience. Catholic Mass will be celebrated regularly on the spring retreat and during the pilgrimage, with students from all backgrounds welcome to attend.
In addition to requirements that will be due during the course, you will be required to submit a final academic paper after the pilgrimage journey. Your final grade for the course will be posted by August 2021. This grade will count retroactively toward your Spring 2021 course load.
No. This course does not require specific background in theology or philosophy. This course also does not fulfill Core requirements for Philosophy.
Yes. The non-refundable course fee will be $1,350 which includes the a two-night overnight retreat in March 2021, and then on the pilgrimage itself in June 2021 includes activities, room and board, two program meals, and international health insurance while in Spain.
In addition to the course fee, students will be responsible themselves for flight costs to and from the starting point of the pilgrimage, for daily meals during the pilgrimage, for travel arrangements, and for the necessary supplies, including appropriate hiking attire, backpack, shoes, toiletries, water, etc.
Students can either arrange their travel plans on their own or in coordination with the group/cohort.
If the pilgrimage location will be Spain or Wisconsin, then Yes. You will be responsible for necessary supplies including appropriate hiking attire, backpack, walking shoes, toiletries, etc.
If we do the pilgrimage in Utah, the requirements for students’ own gear will be much less because the outfitter supplies us with the necessary gear for the more demanding outdoor activities that we would encounter on that pilgrimage.
No. You do not need to speak Spanish to participate in this program.
This is a fully academic course. There is substantial reading, written assignments and other curricular activities. The retreat in March 2021 is also required for all students. The final paper will be due on a date in the summer set by the instructor, after which the final grades for the course will be recorded. A final syllabus will be supplied to all students upon admission and acceptance. This course is taught by a different faculty member each year, so it is likely that there will be variations in thematic emphases and approaches. Syllabi from previous courses can be found below. The current unofficial draft of the 2021 syllabus is below.
If you have additional questions, please contact Fr. Michael Magree, S.J. at frmagree@bc.edu
For any additional questions, please contact Professor Michael Magree.