I. Background and Rationale
During the presidency of Fr. Joel E. Tabora, S.J., the colleges offering technical and board programs, such as Engineering, Computer Studies, Education, and Accountancy requested that the Jesuit Core Courses of Theology and Philosophy be offered during the summer term. The said colleges observed that since PHIS004 (Moral Philosophy) and ES004(Fundamentals of Moral Theology) were taken on the last curriculum year of the students in the university, these two subjects were often enrolled simultaneous with Practicum/OJT/Practice Teaching and other major subjects. Consequently, when faced with the difficulties regarding their class attendance and fulfillment of course requirements, the students frequently chose to prioritize the professional or major subjects to the detriment of their performance in the core courses of Theology and Philosophy. This resulted in grades of AF, F in the core courses which frequently led to their failure to graduate as intended.
In view of the above, the President approved the proposed policy that Theology and Philosophy courses are offered during summer but with the following conditions:
1. Students cannot enroll in any other subject during summer when they
enroll in Theology or Philosophy courses;
2. Students can only enroll a maximum of six units during summer, with any of these combinations:
a. Six units of Theology subjects, or
b. Six units of Philosophy subjects
3. The requirements of Theology and Philosophy during a regular semester
should likewise form part of their requirements during summer, to wit
a. List of readings
b. Reflection papers
c. Annual recollection that is tied up to the schedule of a Theology or
Philosophy class, and
d. Outreach activities that should be processed in these two courses
While the intention of the policy was to help the students; in practice, the policy hindered their on-time graduation due to some reasons. Moreover, it also affected the loading of the faculty of the Theology and Philosophy Departments. Thus, a thorough review was conducted by the
College of Arts and Sciences, then presented and discussed in the Academic Council and later in the Council of Administrators.
II. Revised Policy
Theology and Philosophy courses may be enrolled during the summer term and the conditions originally attached to their enrollment are revoked. Notwithstanding this, the observance by all academic units of the sequencing of both Theology and Philosophy subjects as provided in their respective program’s curriculum is strongly encouraged.
III. Implementing Guidelines
A. For Enrolling Students. Those allowed to enroll in Philosophy and Theology courses during the summer must meet the following conditions:
1. They are students with backlog in terms of credit units, specifically, those who have failures, stopped schooling, under-loaded due to work; AND must have taken at least one Philosophy or Theology subjects during the previous two semesters (this second clause applies to regular students but not to readmitted ones).
2. Their total maximum load, that is, Philosophy or Theology courses together with non-Theology and non-Philosophy subjects, is 9 units unit only; no overload is permitted.
3. They have taken the necessary pre-requisites for the intended Philosophy or Theology courses to be enrolled in.
B. On the Delivery of Courses. To ensure that the Theology and Philosophy courses offered during summer provide the same benefits as when they are taken during the regular semesters, the following conditions shall be implemented:
1. The coverage of these courses when offered in summer shall be the same, if not more substantial, as when they are offered on regular semesters.
2. A benchmark syllabus which contains the minimum essentials will be prepared by the faculty members (under the supervision of their respective Chairs) teaching the course. The faculty can add topics to the benchmark syllabus but not subtract from it.
3. Reflections and insights on the lessons are among the most relevant activities and requirements for these courses; they should not be overlooked or given less importance. Thus, the teacher should be creative enough in managing the class to allow reflections and insight sharing.
4. Conscious effort shall be exerted by both departments to collaborate with the Office of Campus Ministry in ensuring that those who have not had their annual retreat in the previous school year are able to take this during the summer term in which they enroll in either a Theology or a Philosophy course.
5. In the event that engagement in a community outreach activity is also required of a student, such may be conducted in nearby barangays (even outside of the USIC-identified areas) so as not to affect the other classes of the student.
6. Performance in these courses shall be graded in accordance with the usual College Grading System of the university. The use of rubrics is a requirement for grading performance in activities that cannot be evaluated using the usual paper-and-pencil test, such as reflection papers and participation in outreach.
IV. Effectivity
This revised policy and implementing guidelines shall be effective on the Summer Term of 2014 upon the approval by the President.