Educational Experience

I have now spent three years at Longwood University as a History Major with a Minor in Political Science.  Originally, I wanted to become a History Teacher on the high school level.  Throughout my years at Longwood I found a real passion for College Student Affairs and will be applying to graduate schools in the fall semester.  Studying history on the collegiate level heightens analytical skills, improves writing, works on public speaking, and helps you think.  I have learned a great deal as a History Major and have largely benefited to the analytical skills and methodologies necessary to thrive in learning. I have learned a great deal from my involvements on campus.  I am currently involved in Theta Chi Fraternity, The Big Event, Peer Mentor, Interfraternity Council, Promise16, and Resident Commuter Life.  I am also excited to intern in the Dean of Students Office this summer at Longwood.  My involvements have taught me citizen leadership, teamwork, problem solving skills, organization, and time management.

Eportfolio

The most beneficial aspect of English 400 is the active citizenship writing.  Not only is this writing and ideals important to the improvement of an individual, but also helps culminate the community values we hold here at Longwood University.  English 400 both taught me new skills to bring into my professional career and helped sharpen skills that I already held.  Through the Course Journals, Rhetorical Analysis, and the Common Good Project I have learned how to better write about active citizenship, work with others, think analytically, and ask better questions.

Reflection

Throughout the course there was a common theme of citizen leadership.  Using multiple perspectives on society through studying different forms of writing, different authors, different sources, and hearing different views.  One major part of being an effective leader is being a diverse individual in both knowledge and skill set.  This course works on diversifying the way you think and views on society.

Assignments like the Course Journals and the TED talks work well in increasing knowledge in public discourse determined by purpose, audience and context.  Having different outlooks from different thinkers from different periods of history and cultures is highly beneficial in looking at something like purpose.  It is also highly beneficial in understanding the importance of context when both reading and writing.

With the diversity of assignments throughout the semester we learned appropriate formats in writing for different purposes.  Finding out what is the best way to either tell our story, decipher information, or convey are argument.  This is especially seen when we discussed rhetoric.  This idea of audience and the effectiveness of an a writer to play to that specific audience or too a more broad field of study.

Analyzing effectiveness of our own texts was very much a skill sharpened by the use of peer reviews.  Having different outlooks and keeping your own works in mind while critiquing someone else’s work is highly beneficial in learning how to read and write.  Also, analyzing why someone would comment or bring up a certain point in your writing, then reevaluating your work creates a strong piece of work.

English 400 can also benefit in your general understanding of pieces of life that are very different than you.  For example, reading or writing a piece that would never be seen in your major, then hearing others opinions.  When fully committed to the course, can help open doors you never thought you would look into.  This is what contributes to the process of citizen leadership.  This level of understanding gained by this course is what creates active citizen leadership and working towards the greater good.