In the course of University Studies at PSU, students are asked to examine their worldview and ability to express than view, as well as work with others to better their community. This is the basis on which the four University Studies goals were created. Below is an overview of my interpretation of these goals, how they have been explored over the course of the year, and how this will impact my life and education in the future. To view the assignments relating to each University Studies goal, go to the tab labeled My Work.
CommunicationCommunication skills within an academic setting are crucial to a student's ability to properly express an idea, be it in a written, spoken, or numerical/statistical format. Thus, University Studies traditionally puts emphasis on how communication effects a student's literacy in these areas. For my part, I believe the lasting impact of learning communication skills comes in the form of being able to process a variety of circumstances and viewpoints with flexibility and gusto. No one learns in the same way; no one communicates in the same way. To be able to process various forms of communication, be it statistical analysis or prose or a scientific journal, one must have learned to view the world through different lenses. Although this is closely related to "The Diversity of the Human Experience", it differs in that it is the means through which we express our various outlooks. For this reason, it is likely chief among the four goals in importance. One can be the wisest, most profound human on earth, but without the ability to express that, it is worth nil.' Within Professor Flower's Life Unlimited? FRINQ, this goal was explored and sharpened over the entirety of the year. Through class discussions and various assignments that asked us to examine our own views on subjects of ecology and biology, ethics and engineering, the defined viewpoints of students who may otherwise have never spoken in a group format began to be verbalized in concise, compelling terms. |
Critical thinking and inquiryThe goal of encouraging critical thinking and inquiry skills is admirable on the part of Portland State. Many people (particularly traditional students, often conditioned by 12 years of rote memorization and repetition) are unprepared, upon entering post-secondary education, to think for themselves and explore a concept further than what will get them a passing grade. This is not a reflection of poor character; it reflects on a poor approach to education. So then, developing critical thinking is, indeed, critical, as students prepare to head out into the world--or, at least, academia. Given that the course series is entitled Freshman Inquiry, it is comforting that Professor Flower's course, with its question mark at the end of the title, put great emphasis on developing this skill. Although assignments were guided, they were seldom linear. Essay prompts encouraged students to look beyond their immediate environment to imagine things as they could be, or how they may be in different circumstances or locations. Although there was initial hesitance regarding this approach on the part of the students, it ultimately blossomed into presentations which showed the breadth of considerations and inquiries students were undertaking, showcasing the many routes thinking critically about a variety of subjects can take. In a society that is pre-conditioned to consume soundbites and factoids without question, the ability to look beyond the surface is imperative. For this reason, critical thinking and inquiry are skills that stretch beyond an academic environment to become staples in the thinking person's everyday toolkit for life. |
the diversity of human experienceSomething that has drawn many to Portland State is its reputation for diversity. It leads the way in transgender advocacy for universities in the region; it has a recreation center dedicated to creating athletic events for differently-abled students. So it's not a surprise that emphasis would be put on developing a worldview that allows for a variety of outlooks. Personally, I believe it's not enough to simply encourage acceptance of individual's outlooks. To me, this University Studies goal has more impact when it's used to create an environment where students actively advocate for a variety of views. After all, it's easy enough to disagree with someone's opinion and keep your mouth shut. But to defend something different from your identity, simply because it has the right to exist without persecution, is what makes a society strong. Within the Life Unlimited? FRINQ, many opinions regarding morality, religion, upbringing, and social responsibility were brought to the table in class discussions, as well as the Mentor Session. These discussions were, at times, nothing short of transformative. Opinions would initially collide against each other, refusing to be moved. With time and a mutual respect which developed out of continued dialogue, these opinions clashed less and meshed more. This is not to say they became homogeneous--individuals simply found space in their own argument for someone else's insight. This is valuable beyond measure both inside and outside of academia. To have the ability to defend not just your viewpoint, but that of others--even to yourself--is the closest to evolution within a single lifetime as one can experience. |
ethics and social responsibility"Let Knowledge Serve the City," reads PSU's motto. This is apt for a school with a billion-dollar economic impact on Portland, and a student volunteer impact in the hundreds of thousands of hours. It makes sense that Portland State puts emphasis on how education can impact a community, and not just individual lives. This is perhaps the University Studies goal that is the end-game for the others. Communication, critical thinking, the diversity of the human experience, all of these amplify and give foundation to a sense of social responsibility. Life Unlimited? is especially geared toward encouraging this goal. The class's concern in its reading material, discussions, and assignments, focused on how humanity impacts the planet, and what can be done on an individual level to make this impact beneficial instead of detrimental. If one can instill a sense of obligation to a community, a society, or even the world, then those affected by that sense will act in a way that is socially responsible for the entirety of their lives. This mindfulness can impact all parts of one's life, and go on to impact future generations. |