By Daniel Monan, Culture Editor -

It’s almost over. Christmas break is nearly here. Just finals, and then we’ll all have a whole month to explain to our parents just how that D+ in calculus was really the teacher’s fault. It’s time to start thinking about books to read over the break — to throw out that old, dusty, book of Shakespeare and pick up a bright, shiny, new one written in modern English … mostly. Continue Reading

By Blair Thill, Alumna Contributor -

Hello all! Welcome to my very first post of “Pop and Circumstance,” a blog dedicated to all things entertainment — movies, television, music, viral videos, books and everything else created for us to enjoy. My goal is to offer witty insights and incisive critiques on the things we talk about around the proverbial water cooler. I’ve harbored a love of popular culture my entire life, obsessed with knowing TV shows, Oscar contenders, and every lyric to any pop song stuck in my head. So now that you know a little about me, I think it’s time we get down to the fun stuff.

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Argument 1: By Emma Staffaroni

It was time for discussions about healthcare that address the needs of all Americans — almost. Instead of being able to rejoice over our victory in the House of Representatives earlier this month, Democrats winced with disappointment and chagrin. On Nov. 7, the House passed the “Affordable Health Care for Americans Act,” and with it ushered in the bitter taste of sexism. An amendment with a ban on all abortion coverage under the federal plan was tacked onto the bill at the last minute. This is an outrageous manipulation of the current state of abortion rights in the United States. Continue Reading

By Sue Byun, Contributing writer -

Increasing focus on ethics in business education has been a common trend in the past decade. Although approaches vary by school, there is a general pedagogical consensus in rethinking the role and integration of ethics in business school curricula.

A 2008 report by the Global Foundation for Management Education (GRME) identified trends and developments in management education. It called for business schools worldwide to move beyond simply offering high-quality education and obeying the law to actively addressing social, environmental, and economic problems. Further, it specifically called for fundamental shifts and practices in business curricula. So far, many undergraduate business schools have responded to the call. Continue Reading

By Andrew Schofield, Editorial Assistant -

In 2004, after more than three years of war in Afghanistan, then-President George W. Bush proclaimed, “Coalition forces, including many brave Afghans, have brought America, Afghanistan and the world its first victory in the war on terror.”

More than five years later, amid pleas for more troops from Gen. Stanley A. McCrystal, top military commander in Afghanistan, President Barack Obama ordered 30,000 more American troops into the increasingly violent conflict. Continue Reading

By Andrew Slade, Editorial Assistant -
On Wednesday, legislators in the New York State Senate voted 38 to 24 against a bill that would have given same-sex couples the right to marry. The bill had the backing of Gov. David Paterson (D) and New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg (I).

Many were surprised by the Senate’s failure to pass the bill, given New York’s image as one of America’s most progressive states. A poll conducted by Siena College this spring indicated support for same-sex marriage among 53 percent of the state’s registered voters.

Nationally, the public is far less supportive of the concept. A CNN/Opinion Research Corporation poll released in May shows that 54 percent of Americans do not believe marriages between homosexuals should be recognized as valid. Among 18 to 34 year-olds, however, 58 percent believe that gay marriage should be legalized. Continue Reading

By Tue Tran, Co-Editor-in-Chief -

Same-sex marriage is currently a hot-button issue throughout the United States. But simply being gay and coming to terms with this part of one’s identity can be tough. At Boston College, the GLBTQ Leadership Council (GLC) is aware of the difficulties and has officially launched Queer Peers, an organization that aims to help those grappling with issues of being gay. Continue Reading

By Lorna Greene

So far, my exchange to Boston College has been the most rewarding and interesting experience of my life. Coming from University College Cork in Ireland, I was unsure as to what I could expect from an American university.

When I first started classes at BC, I was disgusted by the fact that lecturers here give homework and set reading that they actually expect you to do. I was further appalled when I learned that class participation and attendance mattered, and that I may actually have to be cognitive and conscious in class. I was struck by the sheer madness of it all. What kind of establishment is this, anyway? Professors remember students’ names. It will be noticed if you are not in class. Entire lecture transcripts are not posted on blackboard for my convenience at a less hungover time.

It became clear to me that attending classes while still drunk from the night before was not going to be an option at BC. Ignoring the set reading and using Wikipedia synopses of books would not be good enough, and I may actually have to go to the library before the prescribed study week!

At my home university, lecture time may as well be called nap time for the majority of classes. Students turning up is not so much a requirement as an added bonus and attending half of your lectures in a week is a job well done.

Without a doubt, the academic side to Boston College has challenged me and my previous scholastic experiences in college life. The teaching systems at BC surpass anything I have come across in two years of higher education in Ireland. After getting over the initial shock of the approach to academics at BC, I have come to realize that the American teaching system is nothing less than fantastic. The way in which classes are conducted and the emphasis placed on student participation and discussion is invaluable as a learning tool.

Simple things, such as the structure of a class or a professor’s approachability, go so far in offering students a better education and awakening us to the fascinating topics and issues our classes address.

These subtle disparities make all the difference when it comes to students engaging in their discussions and actually wanting to attend lectures. I have surprised myself with the interest I have had in my classes here. I have fallen in love with certain subjects thanks to the enthusiasm of the professors involved and the emphasis placed on my participation and engagement with the material. It makes all the difference in one’s approach to learning and enjoying the academic side of college life.

I am nothing but grateful to BC for allowing me the opportunity to study here as an exchange student. I feel that BC has made me appreciate the fact that a university is first and foremost about education and learning. When I don’t take my classes seriously, I am the one missing out, and in doing so I fail to get the most out of my college education.

I think one example that best illustrates the difference between an Irish university education and its American counterpart is the Irish use of words such as “lecture” and “lecturer,” which imply being talked at and no connotations of discussion or group participation. Americans on the other hand refer to “classes” and “professors.” Classes would imply interactive learning, dialogue and some form of a teacher-student relationship. This, along with the word “professor,” a professional person intent on teaching rather than merely reciting facts to a class, highlights a major advantage in the American learning system.

I can now safely say that Boston College has exceeded many of my expectations, while at the same time opening my eyes to many aspects of American culture to which I had previously been blind. I have been met with many different emotions since arriving in Boston and beginning my year at BC. The life of an international student has left me surprised, disappointed, intrigued, excited, impressed, dismayed, inspired and frustrated at one stage or another. However, I would not change a single second of my experiences so far.

I know that when it is time for me to return to Ireland and UCC in May I will be sorry to leave the excellent learning resources at BC behind. I am already jealous of the BC students who will make use of this fantastic system for four years. However, I will go home with an amazing experience a new appreciation and determination towards my studies at home. I feel that my experiences as an exchange student here will be very beneficial to my academic future and to my final year at UCC.

By April Chang, Contributing writer -

A diminutive figure, draped by a moth-eaten cloak, ceased to tremble as she entered what at first glance might be mistaken for a cozy, red-brick café — Rosie’s Place, a women’s homeless shelter.

The receptionist at the front desk warmly greeted the meager, silver-haired guest, who paused to chit-chat before entering the dining hall.
Since the economic recession began, Boston has been seeing a pronounced increase in the visibility of homeless women. Although women suffer disproportionately from homelessness, they receive less attention than their male counterparts. This may be due to the fact that women do not fit the stereotype of homelessness. Continue Reading

By Tue Tran, Co-editor-in-chief -

With one sweep of a clock’s second hand, the Commonwealth of Massachusetts decided that it was okay for me to have wine with dinner. After years of going out with friends who could order a glass with their meals, it was a nice to finally have that option.

However, we place too much emphasis on alcohol at 21. To me, turning 21 — some arbitrary number — meant that I was deemed by someone to be “grown up.” And now, there are no other age minimums for me in society, except for senior discounts at movie theaters. Continue Reading