A listserv is basically an automatic email forwarding system. You send an email to the listserv, and it automatically forwards your message to everyone who is subscribed to the list.
It will allow us to keep class discussion going outside of class. This is a great way for people who are shy to contribute to the discussion. It also allows more reasoned responses than in class, since you can sit and ponder what you are going to say as long as you like.
The listserv is also used to communicate changes in assignments or the schedule.
NOTE: This class actually has 4 different listservs, one for each section. You must make sure to sign up for the right one. Also, if you change sections, you must unsubscribe from one listserv and subscribe to the other.
You have to. It's a class requirement. You must send at least one message to the listserv every week, as part of your class participation grade.
It's easy. First, log onto the computer account that you normally use for email. Make sure you are in your account rather than OCF USER or a friend's account. This is important!
Second, send an email message to
with no subject (just leave it blank), containing one of the following lines in the body of the message:
subscribe mb022a
subscribe mb022b
subscribe mb022c
subscribe mb022d
depending on which section you are in. To look up your section, click here. Then lookup the right listserv in the following table:
| Section | Listserv |
| Emily | mb022a |
| Chet | mb022b |
| Kenny | mb022c |
| Eric | mb022d |
In a few minutes (well, at BC, sometimes hours), you should get an email message back from the listserver confirming your subscription and giving you some basic information about how to use the system.
To see who has subscribed to the list, send a message to majordomo@listserv.bc.edu with the following line in the body of the message:
who mb022a
(if you are in Emily's section, of course)
To send a message to the class, compose a message like you usually do, fill in the "subject" field, and send the message to:
(if you are in Chet's section; if not, substitute the appropriate listserv name)
You are required to send at least 20 messages to the listserv over the course of the semester, and at least one each week. To count, your message must be loosely related to the class or the course topics. For example, messages about organizations, careers, culture, perception, attitudes, etc. are all appropriate. Other topics, like what you are doing for spring break, are perfectly ok, but won't count toward your requirement. In other words, you can talk about anything you like on the listserv, but only messages related to the course will be counted toward class participation.
Please note that university policy supports free speech but not obscenity or abuse. That means you can discuss sexual intercourse, but you can't tell people to go f--- themselves.
At the end of the course, you should unsubscribe from the list. Send a message to
with no subject (just leave it blank). Include the following line in the body of the message:
unsubscribe mb022a
(if you are in Emily's section; just substitute the appropriate listserv if you are in another section).
| Copyright ©1996 Stephen P. Borgatti | Revised: September 10, 2001 | Go to Home page |