Goal 1

Goal 1: Think critically, reflectively, and independently

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

My artifact for outcome 1 is the Leadership Involvement Experience goals statement from Hon 250H, Foundations of Leadership.  My objective for this assignment was to become the secretary of Honors Society in which I wanted to learn the position and fulfill it to the best of my abilities.  I had three goals that I wanted to achieve, and each goal was broken down into action steps.  Goal 1 was to become more involved in campus life by becoming the secretary of the Honors Society.  Goal 2 was obtaining knowledge of how Honors Society works by attending as many meetings as I can.  Goal 3 was becoming more comfortable and confident in dealing with my duties over a period of 1-2 months.  Out of those three goals, I believe I completed the 1st and 3rd fully, but I believe I missed some Honors Society meetings.  I have always been bad at articulating goals, so I believe that this outcome was only achieved, but not for my articulation.  I did complete the majority of the goals that I wrote in the goals statement, including learning how a club works, helping with recording information, getting to know other Honors Society members, and becoming more comfortable in my role.

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

My artifact for outcome 2 is the Ethical Dilemma Project and Presentation for Hon 250H, Foundations of Leadership.  This project was questioning if the United States should implement Universal Healthcare.  For this project, I had to research the problem of current healthcare in America and finalize my opinions on it or find a potential solution.  I believe that I achieved outcome 2 with this artifact.  First, I analyzed the problem.  Healthcare spending in the U.S. tremendously increased to 1/3 of the median salary and it was a dilemma for everyone in the United States that could not afford to go into debt to receive healthcare.  Through my research I was able to solidify my opinion on this matter.  People should not have to go into debt to receive medical attention.  The United States can be very individualistic and a reason for not wanting universal healthcare is that a healthy person would be paying for an unhealthy person’s healthcare.  I believe that giving healthcare to everybody will boost the overall healthiness of the country and allow for better opportunities for everyone.

Outcome 3: Interpret texts from various disciplines

My artifact for outcome 3 is the book review for Hon 191H, The Honors Community.  I interpreted The Crossroads of Should and Must, by Elle Luna.  I believe I achieved this outcome.  In Luna’s book, she argues that a Should is how other people want you to live your life.  A Should can be anything that you feel is forcing you into a direction that you are not suited for.  A Must is said to be inside your very being.  Luna says in order to find your Must, a person needs to have an overwhelming sense of their passions and their deepest urges and desires.  A Must is different for every person as it is a reflection of themselves.  I found the book to almost attack people that did not follow their Must.  While Luna was able to achieve her Must of being an artist, not everyone can quit their job and immediately find success with their Must. 

Outcome 4: Conduct independent and ethical research

My artifact for outcome four is the citizenship paper I wrote for Hon 191H, The Honors Community.  For this paper, I researched poverty.  In my research, I found that 40 million Americans have food insecurity.  I went on to research the various services in the Minot area that help combat the hunger crisis.  I interviewed Christy Miller, the Outreach Specialist at Souris Valley United Way.  SV United Way covers seven countries and is partnered with twenty-one agencies and programs.  The main program they operate is Backpack Buddies.  I also researched various other organizations in Minot that operate food banks or work to lessen food insecurity.  This artifact achieves outcome four.  During my research I was working completely independently and chose the topic when I saw an article about the Salvation Army Food Pantry needing donations.  I also believe I conducted ethical research.  During my research, at no point was a person’s anonymity questioned or revealed.