Erin Carlson Individual Project HL 440 Reflection Piece Winter 2014 4/29/14 Critical Issues Reflection Piece As I reflect

on the work for my project, to what extent do I think it met the essence of NMU relative to its major lighthouse statements: HL 440 has provided me with knowledgeable information and has taught me information that can be used outside of the classroom which will help me in my personal and professional development. This course has followed along with the Mission, Vision and Diversity Statement of Northern Michigan University. A variety of critical components have tested me in this course and allowed me to think critically and detect the problem and solve it based of the knowledge I have acquired. I am able to evaluate an argument based on the Critical Thinking model we have learned and base my opinion off of the information obtained. Mission: Northern Michigan Universitys mission is to challenge its students and employees to think independently and critically, develop lifelong learning habits, acquire career skills, embrace diversity and become productive citizens in the regional and global community. I personally believe this particular course meets the Universitys mission because I was challenged to distinguish the difference between what is the right thing to do versus what is the important thing to do. We have learned a lot about equality and diversity and how the two are very similar, but based on each situation we faced we had to problem solve and dig into the problem to discover our answer based off of the information. Critical thinking is based on reasons and evidence, not everyone will have the same view on an issue. That is where paradigms came in and we learned about paradigms and how everyone has a different way of facing a situation and solving their own problems. Ones knowledge can help shape the knowledge of others by teaching one another their paradigm and overcoming the differences of the so-called paradigm shift. Vision: The vision of Northern Michigan University is that of which Northern Michigan University will become the University of Choice in the Midwest for students seeking a quality academic program with individualized attention in a high-tech learning environment. I can answer this truthfully based on experience that if a student would like to obtain a well-rounded education, then Northern Michigan University is the college to attend to do just that (if they can stand to bear a long-cold winter.) In the beginning of the course we discussed liberal education and the problems with todays generation of students. Society is afraid of students losing interest in politics and civil issues and while learning this we got to read articles about how a good liberal education can shape you into a well-rounded individual. Aside from learning courses that follow your degree, NMU has a superb liberal education. NMU offers a Carlson, Erin 1 | P a g e

Erin Carlson Individual Project HL 440 Reflection Piece Winter 2014 4/29/14 variety of classes that each student has the choice of taking which will help them prepare for their future. I learned from this course that it isnt about attending class and memorizing skills, you have to learn and take away from each lesson. It is important to take something away from each lesson rather than memorizing information for a test and forgetting it, or you wont learn anything. The skill of critical thinking is thinking for yourself and if you cheat your way through college, you wont be prepared and youll cheat yourself in your future. Diversity Statement: The diversity statement of Northern Michigan University strives to be an inclusive community where differences are recognized as assets of the institution, respected attributes of the person and a valuable part of the university experience. This course was all about learning different ideas of diversity. Critical thinking is a mere matter of diverse opinions based off of reasons and evidence. Not everyone will be in favor of agreeing upon the same situation. This course allowed me to develop thoughts and opinions regarding controversial topics which, ties perfectly with the Diversity Statement of NMU. The HL 440 course aimed to meet the diversity statement and empowered students to think outside of their own comfort zones. In addition, the presentations of individual issue projects allowed me, as well as the students, a safe learning environment to express our thoughts and opinions on our associated debated topic. The lesson I took away from being able to express my opinion in a safe environment allowed me to work on my critical thinking skills and be able to adapt my paradigm to be able to see the viewpoint and opinions of others. (NMU Statement: http://www.nmu.edu/mission)

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