Mary Katherine Canupp

Learners will become effective communicators in their discipline.

In my own words, I can collect, analyze and relay information to an audience conveying meaning and importance.

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To show evidence of my learning, I have chosen to share my paper on Aristotle’s Constituents of Emotion because it effectively shows my ability to use multiple resources and share information about a complex topic in a way my audience can understand. It has a clear thesis statement and is fully developed through supporting details.

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This paper was written as an assignment for my Introduction to Ethics (PHI 240) class. The ethics class was a difficult one for me because it was based on philosophical thinking and dealt a great deal with logic. I have never taken a logic course, so I was unfamiliar with the methods of thinking and the terminology. I had to do additional research just to understand how to think about the topics that were introduced in our ethics class.

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My first goal for communication literacy was to learn to research, analyze and write a paper focused on a topic with supporting details. The research on Aristotle’s view of behavior was very empowering for me. I learned that I could not only understand the complex nature of the information, but could also share that information with an audience who was unfamiliar the terminology and theories of thinking. Throughout my paper I provided scholarly insight into the subject of human emotions and where these emotions evolve from. Through quotes and in-text citations I assure my audience that the information I am sharing is accurate and reliable.

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My second goal in communication literacy was to craft an effective thesis statement that would determine the direction of my paper. I had struggled with writing thesis statements. My thesis statement for this paper tells my audience that I will focus on the physical manifestations of emotions and how those physical manifestations combine with cognitive thought to produce a behavioral response. This thesis statement was different than some of my other statements in that it seemed to be less obvious than the previous ones I had written. I learned that I could easily guide my reader to expect certain information without listing every point.

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My paper on Aristotle’s Constituents of Emotion demonstrates my ability to analyze information and clearly communicate thought with an audience. It is also evidence of meeting my goals of researching a topic and providing supporting details along with a clear thesis statement. I learned that no matter how difficult the information I am attempting to share may be, I can present it in a manner that can be understood. From the research I learned that our emotions are a result of a physical manifestation to a situation that we then have an emotional response to and ends with a behavioral action. I always assumed that our emotions were a result of a purely mental process. As I work with people who may be upset or angry, I now realize that they are reacting to a physical response to something and that they may need time or understanding to formulate an appropriate behavioral action. This information has taught me to be more understanding and patient as others process their emotions. 

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Learners will recognize and adapt to various cultures, ideas, and practices within their discipline.

In my own words, I can recognize and learn about other cultures while keeping an open-mind to their beliefs and practices.

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For my cultural competence artifact I chose to include my power point on Fandom. This was an assignment for my Introduction to Sociology (SOC 210) class. We were instructed to research a subculture and report those findings in a power point presentation. This was the first time I had created a power point, so I was intimidated by the thought of presenting information in that manner. The research was not difficult and was quite enjoyable. I never knew the subculture of Fandom could have so many different aspects to it. By completing this assignment, I learned that all cultures have aspects to them that are not apparent on the surface. This look into a different culture created in me the desire to learn more about other cultures to understand those deeper aspects and appreciate those differences in the many cultures around us.

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My first goal in cultural competency was to learn to explore and research other cultures to better understand their beliefs and practices. This project introduced to me to the idea of subcultures. Once I began researching the topic I learned that there are many subcultures in the United States and even more throughout the world. The subculture of Fandom encompasses multiple subcultures within itself such as the Star Wars culture, the Star Trek culture, the Furries culture, the anime culture as well as many more. Each subculture has its own language and beliefs that are important to its participants. I was amazed to find out that many of these subcultures are active in giving back to their communities and are not just for recreation only.

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My second goal in cultural competency was to share my learning of various cultures in an informative and entertaining way. I believe that by presenting my findings in a power point presentation I stayed true to the feel of the subculture I had researched. The subculture of Fandom is a light-hearted, fun subject and a formal paper would have not have provided that feel for my audience. The power point included research and reliable sources introduced in an easy to read format.

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My presentation on Fandom provides evidence of my cultural learning. I was able to research a subculture I knew nothing about and then share that information with others in a meaningful way. It includes information on the Fandom subculture including practices, language and customs.

Learners will apply appropriate techniques to solving problems within their discipline.

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In my own words, I can identify a problem, create a solution and form and implement the processes to solve the problem.

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For my Creative Problem-Solving artifact I chose to use my proposal on Community College Advising that I had written for my Writing in the Disciplines (ENG 112) class. This proposal came about from our assignment to identify a problem at the community college level, report that problem and formulate a solution to the problem. This project was enjoyable to me because my career goal is to go into college advising or counseling. I readily identified a problem and then was challenged to find a workable solution to that problem. I consulted many resources to see the depth of the problem. Then I formulated and sent my proposal to one of the counselors at SPCC to review before I submitted it. I learned there are many different viewpoints on what the cause of a problem can be and there are many varied solutions.

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My first goal in creative problem solving was to learn to identify problems around me and recognize the ones that need attention and a solution. Through this proposal, I was able to identify many problems within the community college arena. I also learned that some are more pressing and have greater needs than others. I learned to evaluate these problems and focus on the most important problems first.

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My second goal was to create a solution for an identified problem and formulate a plan to implement the process to solve the problem. In this proposal I identified numerous ways that the problem could be remedied. I chose one that was budget-friendly and elaborated on that solution providing a step-by-step plan to cure the problem. It involved reworking the structure of the community college counseling services and resulted in better services for students and less cost over the long run for the college.

 This paper is well written with an in-depth explanation of the problem and a solution with pros and cons to its development. It identifies the lack of effective counseling available in the community colleges and proposes a plan to offer more extensive assistance to students who need those services. Before beginning this proposal, I did not realize how overworked the counseling and advising departments of the community college are. I learned that the counselors wear many hats and are not only responsible for guiding students academically but also are responsible for their emotional and mental guidance as well.

This proposal is evidence of my ability to recognize a problem that needs a solution and then formulate an in-depth plan to solve the problem. Working through this proposal I learned that my true passion lies in helping others, especially students. I was pleased to find that I could formulate a detailed proposal that included supporting facts and budgets for a solution.

Learners will demonstrate the ability to know when there is a need for information, to be able to identify, locate, evaluate, and effectively and responsibly use and share that information for the problem at hand.

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In my own words, I can identify when there is a need to share information and to collect and report that information from reliable sources.

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To show evidence of my learning in Information and Media literacy I chose to include my website on the American author, Stephen Crane. This website was created on Wix and includes information gathered from research of reliable sources. It also includes literary reflection to add more learning to building the website. This project was created for an assignment in my American Literature II (ENG 232) class. It includes biographical information on an author we studied within the course along with literary analysis of Crane's literature and reflection on his work. By creating a website, I used an up-to-date media format to convey information from reliable sources to my audience.

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This project provides evidence that I am able to use information and multiple media sources to gather information and then disseminate that information in a new format. The Wix site and the power point both include sources that were cited in the creation of the projects. They display information in an easy to read format.

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I have chosen to use the Stephen Crane website because it is the project I am most proud of. It is based on reliable sources and required in-depth research and reflection. It provides proof that I am capable of sharing information that has been closely evaluated for reliability and conveyed in a responsible manner through citations.

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My first goal in information and media literacy was to learn to recognize when there is a need to convey information and format the information in an interesting way to share with others. Identifying the need was fairly easy. Stephen Crane is an American author who is largely unknown. His works are recognized but the author himself is not widely known. By researching Crane I learned more about him and the time-period in which he wrote. Placing that information in a website that can be utilized by others was a way of sharing that information with many who do not have knowledge of Stephen Crane.

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My second goal was to demonstrate my ability to find reliable sources and responsibly share that information with others. The research I conducted uncovered sources that I was able to evaluate for reliability. I learned to consider where the information came from and to cross-reference that information with other sources to prove that it is accurate. I then included that information in my website and cited my sources to give credit to whom it belongs.

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Through this project I learned that I can create a professional looking website with accurate information. I also learned that I can use a variety of sources from books to the internet to find and utilize reliable sources and information. I enjoyed the creative process of designing the website as well. When I began, I was intimidated by the thought of creating an entire website. I quickly learned that it could easily be done by breaking it down into manageable pieces. Much like anything we attempt in life, we must approach things looking at the details and the pieces that make a whole. 

Learners will demonstrate an understanding of arts and humanities in historical and cultural contexts.

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In my own words, I can view and understand society through observing arts and humanities that affect mankind both now and in the past.

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For proof of my learning in Understanding the Arts and the Human Experience I chose to submit my analysis paper on Maggie: Girl of the Streets. This was an assignment in my American Literature II (ENG 232) class. The paper examines the story written by Stephen Crane about the life of Maggie, a girl born and raised in the slums of New York. Within the story Stephen Crane paints a clear portrait of the human experience in society that lacks arts and humanities.

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This assignment opened my eyes to the tragedy of growing up in a society where there is no education, no arts to enrich life and therefore no hope. By conducting an analysis on this literary piece I learned that there is a direct link to happiness and well-being to our environment and our culture. Without exposure to culture an individual and entire communities can decline and never reach their full potential. Maggie grows up in world of poverty and suffers due to her lack of resources. Her view of life is very small and is not fully developed because she is restricted on what she can experience in the Bowery of New York City. Without the enriching world view she has little motivation and her life ends tragically.

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My first goal in understanding art and the human experience was to learn to view the human condition in a variety of social contexts including historical and cultural. Through the analysis of this story I was able to learn about the culture of the part of New York City called the Bowery in 1893. This area was a very poor community with little to no resources for the residents to better themselves or have hope of a better future. I learned that without cultural resources life could be hopeless and even end tragically.

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My second goal was to write a well-formed paper that demonstrates by observations of the human condition in different contexts. This analysis was well-researched and included many different viewpoints of how life in the Bowery was devastating to those who lived there. My analysis explores the theme and context of the story. I learned that typical struggle in literature and art tends to be a moral dilemma but in the story of Maggie the struggle is a product of the environment.

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This analysis caused me to realize that the human condition has many factors affecting it. The time-period, the area and the culture someone lives in can determine their path. Literature is an ideal way to relay that message to readers. It enriches our view of humanity and the human condition. I had never observed the human condition in quite the same way as I did through this story and the analysis I conducted on the way it was written. I learned that we must continue to introduce all people, in all walks of life to art and literature to enrich their lives to provide them with hope and enrich their daily lives.

Learners will demonstrate an understanding of social science methodologies in order to explain the consequences of human actions.

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In my own words, I will be able to observe human behavior and evaluate it to understand that human actions have consequences.

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To show evidence of my learning in Social Scientific Literacy I have chosen my debate position paper on the pro-life stance on abortion. The debate explains the consequences of choosing abortion and the consequences of being pro-life. This debate position was for my online Introduction to Ethics (PHI 240) class. It included two separate documents, a position and a rebuttal, that were a result of an online debate. We were to choose a position and then argue that position with facts and an ethical approach which we had learned in class.

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My first goal for social scientific literacy was to learn to observe and evaluate actions within society that have direct and indirect consequences. By taking a pro-life stance on the topic of abortion, I learned that the decision to have an abortion or not has long lasting effects that affect more than the unborn child. There are many factors that affect the woman who decides to have a baby over choosing abortion.

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My second goal was to write a well-defined explanation of human action and the consequences to that action. In my position and rebuttal, I clearly describe the effects of abortion both ethically and physically on the woman who chooses to abort her baby. I also explain the effects of choosing to carry the baby full-term to delivery. Through this debate, I reveal the moral and ethical questions that cause much controversy surrounding abortion.

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When I began this project I had a very clear position on abortion. After conducting research and studying the facts, I found myself looking at the issue in a new way. I could clearly see both sides of the debate and found that for me it boils down to a moral choice. It is clear that there are consequences to every action we take and that we should evaluate some actions on a deeper level than others. Learning this has helped me to be more open-minded to the people I work with and encounter. We are all responsible for our actions and should not be judged by our decision making process and the end-result.