Page 184 of Boston College 2006-2007 University Catalog by Boston College University

Perspectives II UN 104-105/UN 106-107 Modernism and the Arts I and II This two-semester course fulfills the six-credit Philosophy Core requirement, the three-credit Literature Core requirement, and the three-credit Fine Arts Core requirement. Perspectives III UN 109-110/UN 111-112 Horizons of the New Social Sciences I and II This two-semester course fulfills the six-credit Philosophy Core requirement and the six-credit Social Sciences Core requirement. Perspectives IV UN 119-120/UN 121-122 New Scientific Visions I and II This two-semester course may fulfill the six-credit Philosophy Core requirement and either the six-credit Natural Science Core or the threecredit Mathematics Core and three-credits of the Natural Science Core. PULSE Program for Service Learning The PULSE Program for Service Learning provides students with the opportunity to explore questions of philosophy, theology, and other disciplines in courses which incorporate field work experience in one of Bostons many social service organizations. Through the combination of academic reflection and community service, students are provided with a framework for understanding the intimate relationship between theory and practice. In light of classic and contemporary philosophical and theological texts, PULSE students address topics such as the relationship of self and society, the nature of community, the mystery of suffering and the practical difficulties of developing a just society. PULSE students are challenged to investigate the insights offered by their readings in relation to their service work. Most PULSE students are enrolled in the course Person and Social Responsibility, which is one of the options for fulfilling the Core requirements in philosophy and theology. Several PULSE elective courses are also offered, including Values in Social Services and Health Care, Boston: An Urban Analysis, Self and the City: An Exploration in Writing, and Self and the City: A Personal Response. All PULSE courses require a ten to twelve hour per week commitment to service. Carefully selected field placements in youth work, the correctional system, emergency shelters, AIDS and HIV services, legal and community advocacy, and literacy programs become the context in which students forge a critical and compassionate perspective both on society and on themselves. Opportunities for field experience are available in a variety of neighborhoods and institutions. The placements aim at responding to community needs while simultaneously providing a challenging opportunity for students to confront social problems. PULSE provides four levels of direction and supervision for student work: the on-site placement supervisor, faculty member, PULSE Council member, and PULSE staff. After an initial orientation, the onsite supervisor meets regularly with students to provide information, direction, and constructive feedback. The faculty member directs the students academic work in a regularly scheduled class. In addition, he or she meets with students weekly in discussion groups to consider issues which have presented themselves in the students service work. The PULSE Council member is an upper class student who serves as coordinator, peer advisor, and support person. The PULSE Director has overall responsibility for the educational goals and interests of the PULSE program. In fulfilling that responsibility, the Director and the Assistant Director work as consultants and advisors for students, placement supervisors, and faculty. PL 088-089 (TH 088-089) Person and Social Responsibility I This is a two-semester, twelve-credit course that fulfills the Universitys Core requirements in Philosophy and Theology. Must be taken prior to senior year. Fifth Year B.A./M.A. Program Undergraduate Philosophy majors may opt to enter a five-year B.A./M.A. program. Application to the program will normally take place during the junior year. Students admitted to the B.A./M.A. program will follow the curriculum for Philosophy majors, except that two courses taken during the senior year must be eligible for graduate credit. These two courses will count toward the M.A. as well as the B.A. The remainder of the M.A. may thus be completed by taking eight additional graduate courses as well as the masters comprehensive examination and meeting the language requirement for masters students. It is advisable to consult with the Director of the Graduate Program during junior year. In addition to the two graduate level courses that count toward both the B.A. and the M.A., it is strongly recommended that the student take two graduate level courses in the senior that are beyond the requirements for the B.A. and thus count only for the M.A. degree. This allows the student to take a normal graduate course load the fifth year of three courses a semester, in preparation for the M.A. comprehensive examination. Interested undergraduate Philosophy majors must apply to the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. Expectations are that such applicants will have achieved an overall GPA of at least 3.33 and a major GPA of 3.5 or above. Graduate Program Description The Department of Philosophy offers M.A. and Ph.D. programs. These programs provide a strong emphasis on the history of philosophy (ancient, medieval, modern, and contemporary), and a special focus on Continental philosophy from Kant to the present. Faculty also teach and conduct research in metaphysics, philosophy of science, philosophy of religion, ethics, aesthetics, and social and political philosophy. Students have considerable flexibility in designing programs of study, and they can work with faculty and take certain courses in the Political Science, Theology, and other departments. If a desired course is not offered, please consult with the appropriate professor. It may be possible to arrange a Readings and Research course on the desired topic. For further information refer to our website at http://www.bc.edu/philosophy/. All applicants who are native speakers of English must submit the results of the Graduate Record Examination. All applicants who are not native speakers of English must submit the results of the TOEFL Examination. Admission to the doctoral program is highly selective (five or six admitted each year from over 150 applicants). M.A. Program Requirements Requirements for the M.A. are as follows: Ten (10) courses (thirty credits) Proficiency in one foreign language (Latin, Greek, French, or German) One hour oral comprehensive examination on a reading list in the history of philosophy. 184 The Boston College Catalog 2006-2007 ARTS AND SCIENCES

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