Context: In winter term of 2016 I took introduction to personality and death

and dying. Both of these classes expanded my perception on humanity. In

my death and dying class we explored the traditions and rituals of death
around the world. Towards the end of the term I was asked to visit a funeral
home and interview a funeral home director. During this course as well as my
hour at Holmans Funeral Home and Cremation Service I learned about my
perceptions and fears of death, which I think is one of the universal truths
that bind humanity together. In introduction to personality I was asked to
take a magnifying lens to my personality and the human psychology that
built up my self-identity. For my final I was asked to take those paradigms
and apply them to a fictional character.

Connection: In this way these two classes built up my perception of humanity

as well as demonstrate my breadth of knowledge across several disciplines
in humanities and social science. I have always undergone the most
academic and personal growth in humanities and social sciences and I have
dedicated a lot of time to mastering areas within these principles. Although I
do believe in the necessity of mathematics and sciences there is something
that enthralls me about descending into the depths of the human mind and
heart.

Contemplation: The main thing that taking non education courses at Portland
Community College has taught me is that everything interconnects with the
study of education. As I have learned the benefits of understanding the
principles that humanity has defined itself with, I can have more empathy for
my students. I can also share those concepts with my students when I feel
that they are crucial and appropriate for the students development of
learning.