This winter term for Sustainability there were two main themes that we studied, politics and money. For the past ten weeks of winter term, there were some assignments related to the themes that connected to the four University Studies learning goals: Inquiry and Critical Thinking, Communication, The Diversity of Human Experience, Ethics and Social Responsibility. Not only do the assignments we have done relate to the four goals, but they also relate and teach one of the main points of this class, which is learning different ways to live sustainably.

 

             An assignment that relates to the first goal, Inquiry and Critical Thinking, is the research paper. This research paper was a good representation of this goal, because it required a lot of research, time, and analysis. The topic I chose was related to sustainability, and how changing the way we use things can have a positive impact on the world. The topic I chose was the dangers of landfills in the United States. It helped me learn a lot of things that affect the world and our lives along with understanding we need change how we live. The research paper opened my eyes to how wasteful people could be, and if we started to recycle more everyone could benefit from it. From doing this research paper, I attained the goal of Inquiry and Critical Thinking by spending time on researching and thinking of information to include within my paper.

 

           The second goal, Communication, was incorporated with the assignment of having a lesson plan to teach to the class. My classmate, Georgi, and I taught the class about two chapters from the book, The Daily You by Joseph Turow. We had to come up with a lesson plan that taught the class about the two chapters. What we chose to do was talk about some of the main points of the chapter, then break the class up into small groups so they could come up with main points. After we discussed the points we had a little game of question and answers. This project involved the goal, Communication, because we had to communicate in front of the class about the chapters and the important points related to it. It also got us out of our comfort zone of teaching new material that we may not have understood in the first place. Talking to our group members was a way to help each other learn about new material.

 

          An assignment that relates to the third goal, The Diversity of Human Experience, was going to Mercy Corp Action Center. Doing the activities that they had prepared for us was a very eye-opening experience. One activity that we had was to carry the water buckets around the building. Doing that was somewhat equivalent to walking miles and miles in order to have clean water. It showed us how truly different the lifestyles are in different countries. How in America we are very blessed to have good technology and have equipment to help do the everyday necessities. Appreciating and distinguishing the difference between other people’s lifestyles compared to mine, relates to the goal, The Diversity of Human Experience.

 

            The fourth and last goal, Ethics and Social Responsibility, makes a connection to the experience at the Martin Luther King Day of Service. On MLK day, we caught a bus to David Douglas High School to do different tasks around the town. My task was to pick up trash around a neighborhood. On arrival, we were split into groups with students from other schools and were sent to do different things. Although I was put into a group with people from other colleges, it was a great experience, because it made me realize that even though we all come from different schools and places, we can all work together to do something for a good cause. Ethics and Social Responsibility relates to the experience on MLK day, because by working in a group, it made me realize that everyone within the group can work together for a common yet good cause even with people you don’t know. Social responsibility was learned by working together to help other communities. The back drop of Martin Luther King was an inspiration for ethics. He is a man that stood on a high ethical platform and helped change the world as a result.

 

           Each of the four university studies goals, have had a purpose related to the assignments given this winter term. Even if we don’t understand why we are doing the assignment in the first place thinking that it may not be related to the class, looking back now I see that it all has a purpose to help us grow as individuals and help us to understand the university studies goals. From the beginning of fall term to the end of winter term, I have learned a lot, and it is unbelievable how two terms have passed and there’s only one left.