8/28/2014
BIC 1212: EXAMINED LIFE I
FALL 2014/ TTh 2:00 pm
Large Group: Kayser Auditorium (Hankamer School of Business)
Small Group: (by Professor; see your schedule)
COURSE INFORMATION AND POLICIES
Welcome to BIC 1212: Examined Life I. The Examined Life is the theme of the whole BIC
program. On trial for his life, Socrates declared, “The unexamined life is not worth living.” The
crime Socrates was charged with: “corrupting the youth,” encouraging his students to think for
themselves and to challenge the accepted ideas of their culture. The sentence was death. But
Socrates thought death was preferable to a life of unthinking acceptance. He believed that human
beings were created to wonder and learn about themselves, about the world around them, and
about God. So we have adopted his words as the idea behind our approach to learning.
Education begins with us, with understanding ourselves, our strengths and limitations, and with
living lives of balance. That is what BIC 1212 is all about—trying to help you start your college
experience with an eye to balance, examining all the dimensions of life that the university
experience will test and change. In the end, your education will depend on you—on what you do
and don’t do, what you try and don’t try, how you live or refuse to live. Our goal is just to give
some pointers along the way. After all, as Socrates also said, “Education is the kindling of a
flame, not the filling of a vessel.” We want to help kindle that flame.
BIC 1212 looks at five critical dimensions of human life: intellectual, physical, emotional, social,
and spiritual. We hope that you will come to see these dimensions as tightly interwoven and
interdependent. For example, good intellectual achievement is dependent on proper diet, enough
sleep, and a calm emotional state. It isn’t enough to focus only on the intellect; the true goal of
the university is to develop the whole person.
The goals of BIC 1212 are:
 To encourage thinking about the nature of the university and of the Christian university.

To open conversation on the nature of vocation and profession.

To guide and encourage critical thinking.

To provide out of classroom experiences in the intellectual, physical, emotional, social,
and spiritual dimensions of human development, and an opportunity to reflect on how
those dimensions can be integrated into a vigorous intellectual life.

To provide an opportunity for personal reflection on past experience and future goals in
the five dimensions.

To foster healthy, balanced lifestyles in the areas of personal identity, interpersonal
connections, and civic contributions.

To enhance the ability to form healthy relationships and to learn how to deal with conflict
within relationships.

To foster a sense of community among BIC students.
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
To help students become familiar with the Baylor campus and the resources available to
them.
Professors:
Prof. Cassie Findley, Exercise Physiology
Prof. Doriss Hambrick, Paul Foster Success Center
Dr. Jim Marsh, Director of the Baylor Counseling Center
Prof. Jennifer Martinsen, Health Education/Health Promotion
Prof. Adam Moore, Higher Education/Religion (BIC)
Dr. Melanie Nogalski, Religion/Spirituality (BIC)
Dr. Martha Lou Scott, Assoc. Vice President for Student Life
Dr. Tyler Smith, Child and Family Studies
Prof. Andrew Telep, Electronic Library
Dr. Sarah Walden, Rhetoric/American Studies (BIC)
Dr. Will Williams, Religion
You have registered for a small group with one of these professors. We all want to help you in
any way we can. Your professor will tell you more about his/her office hours or availability.
Overall Review of Assignments:

Participation: This grade is based on attendance and participation in class discussion.

Activity Logs: Each dimension includes an outside activity that you are asked to
participate in. At the end of the activity you should complete a log (see instructions on
Blackboard), discussing the activity and your response to it. Note that the Intellectual
Dimension activity requires the completion of the Library Assignment AND the
completion of the log describing the activity and your reaction to it.

Journal: A journal assignment has been designed to help you reflect on each dimension in
your own life. You will be expected to complete the questions asked as thoughtfully as
possible. All journals should be typed.

Readings: You will be expected read the assigned selections for both large group and
small groups. Your professor will provide a means of assessment to determine if you are
keeping up with the assigned reading. A variety of possible assessment methods may be
employed according to individual professor’s preferences: presentations, reading
summaries, discussion questions, in-class writing assignments, or quizzes. Other methods
might also be used. Keeping up with the readings will help you participate well in
discussions as well as answer some of the questions posed on journal assignments.

Exams: One take home final will be due at the end of the semester. Your class and
reading notes will be very useful in meeting the requirements of the final exam.
Required Texts:
Palmer, Parker. Let Your Life Speak: Listening for the Voice of Vocation. San Francisco:
Jossey-Bass, 1999.
Steltenpohl, Elizabeth. Jane Shipton and Sharon Villines. Orientation to College: A Reader on
Becoming an Educated Person. Second Edition. Boston: Wadsworth, 2004.
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Assessment for Assignments:
Journals:
Activity Logs
Participation:
Final
Total
Grade scale:
A = 558-600
A- = 540-557
B+ = 522-539
B = 498-521
B- = 480-497
250 points (50 points per dimension): 10 questions, with
some questions relating to the reading.
125 points (25 points per dimension)
125 points (50 points for reading assessment, 50 points for
participation, and 25 points for attendance)
100 points (comprehensive essay)
600 points
C+= 462-478
C = 419-461
C- = 420-437
F = below 360
D+ = 402-419
D = 378-401
D- = 360-377
Policies/Tips for Success
Policy on Cell Phone/Laptop Use: You are expected to contribute in a positive way to the
overall learning atmosphere of the class, whether that is in lecture hall or in small group. This
means no cell phone use (either making/taking calls or texting). Laptop use during class
meetings is ONLY for taking notes (no exceptions--this means no checking email, no
working on other assignments, and probably all kinds of other things you might be tempted
to do). Using your laptop for purposes other than taking lecture notes and/or using your cell
phone in class will result in your receiving an ABSENCE for the day (see next item).
Attendance: Honors College Attendance Policy: To earn course credit in an Honors College
course, a student must attend at least 75% of all scheduled class meetings. Any student who does
not meet this minimal standard will automatically receive a grade of “F” in the course. Any
University-related activity necessitating an absence from class shall count as an absence when
determining whether a student has attended the required 75% of class meetings.
Departments/programs and individual faculty members may establish more stringent
requirements regarding attendance, punctuality, and participation.
For this class, the attendance policy means that a student may not miss more than 7 class
sessions. Obviously, regular attendance is necessary for earning a good grade. Excessive
tardiness may count as absences as your small group professor sees fit.
UNIV 1000/BIC 1212 Exemption: Most students in BIC will be exempt from the University
1000 small groups meeting during the beginning of the semester. Note that some of you may also
be enrolled in a New Student Experience course required by your major or program in addition to
Examined Life (a BIC course requirement).
Grading: Assignments will be marked down for late work. If you can’t turn in an assignment,
let your professor know immediately and discuss if your work can still be accepted.
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Preparation: Students are expected to come to class prepared by having read the assigned test or
by having accessed the assigned Web site.
Reading: You are expected to complete and comprehend all reading assignments. Most of the
concepts, theories, and examples from your reading will be discussed in class. Your professor
will determine the assessment(s) they will employ in your section.
Blackboard: Blackboard, the online course management program, will be used throughout the
semester. Check the large group site regularly for announcements, handouts, and course updates.
Grades and attendance will be kept on your small group Blackboard site. You should also refer
back to the syllabus and course schedule to keep up with daily assignments.
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BIC 1212 The Examined Life—Fall 2014
LOCATIONS:
LG = Large Group Meets in Kayser Auditorium in the Hankamer School of Business
SG = Small Group (The location next to your professor’s name that is NOT Kayser
Auditorium)
Date
Group
Reading Assignment(s)
Note: Readings located on Blackboard (italics)
Readings from Steltenpohl/Shipton/Villines are
noted by individual author.
Palmer=Let Your Life Speak
Topic
~ Semester Begins ~
Tues., Aug. 26
LG
(Kayser)
Introduction and Overview to
Course
Thurs., Aug. 28
SG (prof
small
group)
Intellectual Dimension:
What is a liberal education?
Mon, Sept. 1
Labor Day
No class!
Tues., Sept. 2
LG
Intellectual Dimension:
Reading for the Intellectual
Dimension
Thurs., Sept. 4
SG
Intellectual Dimension:
Tues., Sept. 9
Library
Day or
Small
Group;
check
details
for your
section
Thurs., Sept. 11
Library
Day or
Small
Group;
check
Intellectual Dimension: How
do library resources enhance
my academic development?
(Library)
OR What qualities mark a
lifelong learner (Small Group
Discussion)
Intellectual Dimension: How
do library resources enhance
my academic development?
(Library)
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1) Review the syllabus for this class!!!!!
2) "Seven Vectors" Chickering & Reisser
Blackboard
3) Palmer, Let Your Life Speak, pp. 1-8.
1) Burtchaell, “Major Decisions” Blackboard
2) Chickering, “Liberal Education, Work, and
Human Development,” pp. 206-211
3) Giammatti, “The Earthly Use of a Liberal
Education,” pp. 45-48
Rest and Enjoy Friends and Family
1) King, “Learning to Make Reflective
Judgments,” pp. 143-147
2) Adler and Van Doren, “How to Be A
Demanding Reader,” Blackboard
3) Writing in College Blackboard
4) Entitled to Opinion Blackboard
1) Hauerwas, “A Tale of Two Stories”
Blackboard
Walden, Telep, Williams, Moore, and Nogalski
in LIBRARY.
Walden and Telep meet in Moody Library
Lobby at 2:00
Williams and Moore meet in Moody Library
Lobby at 2:15
Nogalski meet in Moody Library Lobby at 2:30
Work on Intellectual Activity.
(Note the readings for Intellectual Activity Log:
Baylor Honor Code and NYT Article)
Small Group sections: Scott, Marsh, Findley,
Martinsen, and Smith.
Sections: In SG room.
1) Weil, “The Right Use of School Studies With
A View to the Love of God,” Blackboard.
2) Lewis, “Talking About Bicycles” Blackboard
Scott, Marsh, Findley, Martinsen, and Smith in
LIBRARY.
Scott and Marsh meet in Moody Library Lobby
at 2:00
Findley and Martinsen meet in Moody Library
details
for your
section
OR What qualities mark a
lifelong learner (Small Group
Discussion)
Tues., Sept. 16
LG
Intellectual Dimension:
Lecture by Dr. Thomas Hibbs,
Dean of the Honors College
“What is a University?”
Thurs., Sept. 18
LG
Physical Dimension: The
Value of Health and Exercise
Tues., Sept. 23
LG
Physical Dimension:
Nutrition
Thurs., Sept. 25
SG
Physical Dimension:
Nutrition and Exercise
Related Issues
Tues., Sept. 30
LG
Physical Dimension:
Drugs, and Biopsychology
Thurs., Oct. 2
SG
Physical Dimension: Drugs
and Biopsychology
Tues., Oct. 7
SG
Physical/Emotional
Dimension: Stress
Thurs., Oct. 9
LG
Emotional Dimension:
Introduction to the
Emotional Dimension and
Discovering My Identity
Tues., Oct. 14
SG
Emotional Dimension:
Discovering My Identity
through the Range of My
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Lobby at 2:15
Smith meet in Moody Library Lobby at 2:30
Work on Intellectual Activity.
(Note the readings for Intellectual Activity Log:
Baylor Honor Code and NYT Article)
Small Group Sections: Walden, Telep, Williams,
Moore, and Nogalski.
Sections: Small Group Discussion. In SG room.
1) Weil, “The Right Use of School Studies With
A View to the Love of God,” Blackboard.
2) Lewis, “Talking About Bicycles” Blackboard
1) Neuhaus, “The Christian University: Eleven
Theses” (Blackboard)
2) Whitehead, “Universities and their Function,”
pp. 39-40.
3) Atwell, “What Does Society Need from
Higher Education?” pp. 29-31
“Virtue and Health/Medicine in Pre-Christian
Antiquity “ by Ferngren and Admunson
Blackboard
**DUE: Intellectual Activity and Log
**DUE: Intellectual Journal
Mayo Clinic, “New Dietary Guidelines: How to
Make Smart Choices” Blackboard
1) “New U.S. Dietary Guidelines: What Not to
Eat” Blackboard
2) Medical News Today, “Healthy Restaurant
Eating” Blackboard
**DUE: Journal Assessment from
MyFitnessPal.com (see Journal instructions!)
“How We Get Addicted”by Michael D. Lemonick
Blackboard
1) Myers, from Psychology, Chapter 3.
“Consciousness and the Two-Track Mind” pp.
112-127. Blackboard
2) University of California Davis, Publication
8265, “Energy Drinks by Karrie Heneman
and Sheri Zidenberg-Cherr. Blackboard
1) “The Stress of Life” by Hans Selye
Blackboard
2) Complete the Life Stress Scale Blackboard
3) Mayo Clinic: “Exercise and Stress: Get
Moving to Manage Stress” Blackboard
1) Levinson, “The Life Structure and Its
Development in Adulthood,” pp. 110-113
2) Weathersby, “Life Stages and Learning
Interests,” pp. 114-119
3) Bring StrengthsQuest report to class
1) Olson and DeFrain “Conflict and Conflict
Resolution” Blackboard
2) Chickering and Schlossberg “Your Preferred
Learning Style,” pp. 161-166
Emotions; Dealing with
Conflict
Thurs., Oct. 16
LG
Emotional Dimension:
Belonging, Resilience, Hope,
and Depression
3) Take VARK online
1)
2)
3)
1)
Tues., Oct. 21
Thurs., Oct. 23
SG
LG
Tues., Oct 28
SG
Thurs., Oct. 30
LG
Tues., Nov. 4
SG
Thurs., Nov. 6
SG
Emotional Dimension:
Applying what we've learned
Social Dimension: Macro
Identity: Race, Class/Power,
Religion, Gender
2)
Complete Resilency Questionnaire
(Blackboard) and bring results to class.
Palmer, “On the Way Down” pp. 56-72 in Let
Your Life Speak
Tartakovsky, “Depression and Anxiety
Among College Students” Blackboard
Ewert, “Christians and Depression”
Blackboard
“Letters to a Young Poet” by Rilke
Blackboard
Take Myers-Briggs online
**Due: Emotional Journal
1) Daloz, “Beyond Tribalism,” pp. 73-77
2) Eitzen,”The Fragmentation of Social Life”
pp. 563-566 (Blackboard)
**Due: Emotional Activity Log
1) Sternheimer, “Class Consciousness” pp. 154156 (Blackboard)
2) Dowd, “What’s A Modern Girl to do?”
Blackboard
1)
Elkind, “Erikson’s Eight Stages of Life,” pp.
Social Dimension: Micro
99-105
Identity Development
2) Newman, “Individual Identity vs. Identity
(Erikson, Marcia)
Confusion, pp. 120-125
1) Corey & Corey, “Maslow’s Theory of SelfSocial Dimension: Discussion
Actualization,” pp. 106-109
2) Goleman, “Emotional Intelligence,” pp. 33(Family; Emotional
45. Blackboard
Intelligence)
**Due: Physical Activity
1) 1) Carr "Is Google Making Us Stupid?"
http://www.theatlantic.com/doc/200807/google
Social Dimension: Social
2) Rosenbloom, “Putting Your Best
Networking & Friends
Cyberface Forward” Blackboard
Social Dimension: Social
Identity: Further Discussion
**Due: Social Journal
1) Wendell Berry, “Two Economies” from
Tues., Nov. 11
LG
Thurs., Nov. 13
SG
Tues., Nov. 18
LG
Thurs., Nov. 20
Tues., Nov. 25
Nov 26-28
SG
Spiritual Dimension:
Spirituality and Religion
Spiritual Dimension:
Spirituality, Religion, and
Developing Faith
Spiritual Dimension:
Spirituality and Vocation
Spiritual Dimension:
Theological Reflection on
Vocation
No class
Home Economics. San Francisco, CA:
North Point Press, 1987. Blackboard
**Due: Social Activity Log
1) Palmer, pp. 73-109
1) Buechner, "Vocation” Blackboard
2) Palmer, pp. 9-36
1) Palmer, pp. 37-55
2) Evans, “Holland’s Theory of Vocational
Personalities,” pp. 201-205
Note due dates for Spiritual Activity/Journal
~ Thanksgiving Break ~
7
Tues., Dec. 2
LG
Thurs., Dec. 4
TBA
SG
Putting the Dimensions
Together
Reflection and Evaluation
Final Exam Due
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**Due: Spiritual Activity Log
**Due: Spiritual Journal