The last BGeX activity requires you to do some reading or witnessing and thinking. This time, you first need to make a choice: You may select one of two sources to use for this activity. One is any article at least four pages long from any copy of Scientific American Mind or Psychology Today that was published since that last semester was over. Both may be found in the library. The other possibility is attending any academic presentation, or a related activity at the campus that occurred this semester. Then write a two-page evaluation using the following criteria. As before, follow the form: be sure to use the headings!
I. ARTICLE OR EVENT CRITICAL THINKING ACTIVITY
II. STUDENT NAME: Your name. 1 point
III. Name of the article, author, journal as well as its date, issue, and page numbers, or the name of the event and presenter. 1 point for an acceptable article/event. Internet versions are not acceptable. Do not turn in the article: if you reference it properly, I should be able to find it. 1 Point
IV. DESCRIPTION: A short paragraph describing what the article/event is about. 1 Point
V. VALUES STATEMENT: A paragraph discussing values. Identify the major values that you feel are associated with the article or event. Ask yourself, for instance, what is it advocating or promoting and why is that desirable or undesirable. Also, be sure to identify the perspective you think the work most closely reflects. 2 points.
VI. COURSE TIE-INS: Then identify three clear and major "tie-ins" between the concepts, ideas, and information presented in the article or presentation and that of the text and lectures. The better and more exact your tie-ins between the article/presentation and course, the more you will succeed in this part of the assignment. If you miss a major tie-in that I feel should be included on the topic, you will lose a point for each one. 3 points
1. The one page paper is due the last day of regular lectures, not during final exams. You must follow the six item format presented above as there is often more value in developing a clear and succinct paper than a long and rambling one. Be sure to use all the headings and letters identifying each section. Two full pages are required. A page is defined as 20-22 lines of typed or word processed print on one sheet of paper. 2 points.
2. Acceptable activities. If you decide to work with an activity instead of an article, check the with Students Activities to see what kinds of academic talks or events are scheduled for this semester. In addition, there are almost always interesting exhibits in the Little Gallery, which is the college's art gallery. The college offers a play each regular semester. Unacceptable activities include entertainment (movies, music, shows, etc., where there is no academic emphasis), single pieces of art or sculpture, Internet sites, regular class lectures, material from your workplace, and so forth are not acceptable. Always check with me if you have a question about the acceptability of material.
1. Prepare for the activity: Think about the main them of the activity, then go through your text and lecture notes to identify sections from the course that may pertain to the activity.
2. Read the article or go to the activity regarding material and take notes about its major themes and values, as well as the reactions and values they stimulate for you.
3. Before writing the paper, take some time to identify MAJOR tie-ins with the course. What is a major tie-in? Well, by contrast, a minor tie-in is just a sentence or two in the text or lecture that ties into the event you witnessed. If the book has an entire section dedicated to the topic, if specific concepts that apply to the topic, or if I dedicate considerable time to the topic in class, then the theme or value would be a major tie-in. Note that if you fail to identify a major tie-in, you may not get full credit.
4. Example: Right now, I happen to be interested in Positive Psychology so let us say that I recently read an article or attended a presentation on it. After identifying myself and describing the article as required in parts I, II, III, and IV, I would then look for values as in part V. If the health benefits of positive thinking were thematic, for instance, I'd talk about value of healthy living. I might also look for the perspective that seemed to be emphasized in the work and talk about its values. Then, I'd move to part VI and look for major course tie-ins. In the case of positive psychology, I'd turn to the chapter on motivation and look for the section on Positive Psychology and make sure I looked for those themes in the article/event and mentioned that in the paper. An example would be the experience of flow. Since positive psychology is also concerned with well-being, I might make a comment about resilience that I discussed in class as part of the chapter on development.
Remember, you can always bring a draft to me for review and I will help make it better. However, that should be done during office hours.