Goal 1: Think critically, reflectively, and independently

    Thinking critically, reflectively, and independently are key aspects of the Honors Program that are emphasized in every honors class. Many of my Honors classes have reinforced the need to think critically about topics, situations, and any issue at all. As a social work major, the concept of critical thinking is not new to me because, similar to the Honors Program, many of my Social Work classes require critical thinking. It is a necessary part of the Social Work field. Thinking critically is important but thinking reflectively and independently is also crucial. Below are the four outcomes, along with artifact examples, which helped me achieve the goal of thinking critically, reflectively, and independently during my time in the Honors Program.

Outcome 1: Design self-created learning experiences that have clearly articulated goals

         The Student-Created learning experience was designed to help students think and create their own learning experience by committing to doing a specific activity consistently for the semester. My first artifact is from the HON 191H class, which is an introduction to the Honors Community. This artifact is a planning/proposal form for the Student-Created Learning Experience, each student had to fill and as you will see in the form I mentioned, I wanted to learn eighty words in the French language. This form helped me articulate learning objectives and learning methods for this activity. It also showed how I planned to stay consistent and evaluate myself throughout the experience. The planning form guided the kind of goals I set and helped me make sure they were attainable in the time period. 

Outcome 2: Analyze problems/situations to formulate informed opinions, conclusions, or
solution.

Analyzing problems/situations is an important skill in not just one’s personal life but also professional life because it helps us prevent costly mistakes and make informed decisions. My second artifact is a research project and presentation on ethical dilemmas for the HON 250H Foundations of Leadership class. We were asked to select a topic that is considered an ethical dilemma, research it, and create a presentation that addresses what the ethical dilemma is and what is known about it.  

For this presentation, I chose the topic of Illegal Immigration because, as an immigrant myself, even though not illegal, I wanted to understand the problem and the complexities of the issue. This research and presentation helped me achieve that. It made me realize that some of these dilemmas are dilemmas for a reason, as they are much deeper and more complex than we think. It will require policies, ethical considerations, dialogue, and even empathy to address the issue.

Outcome 3: Interpret texts from various disciplines

Interpreting texts from various disciplines is an important skill because it helps to understand and interpret information in an applicable way. It helps us become critical thinkers and enhances our learning abilities. This third artifact is a book review of the non-fiction book by David Isay and Maya Millett titled “Callings: The purpose and passion of work.” This book reading and review assignment was from the HON 191H, The Honors Community class, and off the bat, I would say it is one of the most enlightening books I have read in the Honors program. The book tells the story of people who have emphasized their dreams and career pursuits above any obstacle that came their way. 

The book is designed to inspire those who might be at a crossroads between their passions and things that hinder their pursuit of them. I like and mostly read non-fiction books, so this was not a difficult read for me. It was motivating to read the stories of these people who prioritized their passions, and the book left me feeling hopeful about pursuing what I love. It was eye-opening for me, and I would recommend this book to anyone who may have doubts about their passions and future career path. As I read the book carefully, I noticed how the author used people’s experiences and individual stories to pass his message about passion and purpose to readers. I was able to connect the author’s idea of passion to my understanding of work, passion, and purpose as I reflected on the stories and experiences of the people in the book. It was truly an inspiring read.

Outcome 4: Conduct independent and ethical research

Conducting research independently is beyond just gathering information from numerous sources, but it involves making sure the information gathered can be trusted and adds to your knowledge of the topic you are researching. My fourth artifact is also from the HON 191H, The Honors Community class, and it was a citizenship experience paper. We were asked to volunteer for four hours and then write a paper in relation to the volunteer experience. Through the research portion of this assignment, I learned how to find credible information from reliable sources, and this artifact shows I can conduct independent and ethical research on any topic and still find valuable information that can be applied to real-world issues like clothing disposal and the need for donation.

Summary

In conclusion, these artifacts, despite their uniqueness, taught me to think critically and independently about a problem and reflect on the problem. Through these projects, I was able to articulate my goals, analyze problems/situations, interpret texts, and conduct research. These classes and coursework were instrumental to my ability to use and build on these necessary skills and achieve the above outcomes. These assignments and presentations made it easier to approach complex assignments in my other courses. The HON 191H, The Honors Community class, being my first in the Honors Program, was very instrumental in giving me the right foundation for critical, reflective, and independent thinking.