Colleen's Integrative Studies Exercise

Integrative Studies is what I would like to call the true well-rounded education. It allows students to take ownership over their academics as each student concentrates in a particular career be it education, organizational management, leadership, pre-law, etc. It incorporates nine competencies, cohort styles environments where students and professors interact and share the role of student and teacher, and finally integrates the element of experiential learning. Integrative Studies' students do not receive an education, rather they experience it as they employ critical thinking, global understanding, aesthetic awareness, effective citizenship, communication, information technology, strategic problem solving, group interaction and valuing in relation to each learning experience they approach. Students are not confined only to classrooms filled with students with their shared concentration, instead they embrace diversity and study with various students. Each learning community has some sort of relation whether direct or indirect to the various concentrations and helps develop the competence and intelligence of students. Reflective writing and portfolios serve as the sources for how students assess their learning and reinforce the notion that each individual has the control over his/her studies and that learning is a continual, neverending process. Overall, Integrative Studies is a major for highly motivated leaders who understand the importance of experiencing a well-rounded education.

TV's Global Understanding part II

Introducing to new NCC students either freshman in college or transferred about one of our competencies, Global Understanding, shoulnd't be so difficult because we live in a society of diversity. Look around us, everyone is of different race, culture, religion, traidtion, and heritage. Everyone has different perceptions towards life. Growing up in this society and culture, we learn to respect and understand other's differences. We seek and strive to learn more of other's specialties and we share ours. I think this competency not only be natural for students but also very exciting because they have a better reason to learn.

Jessica's Global Understanding Part II

Trying to describe the global understanding competency to a new NCC student wouldn't be an easy task. Everyone comes from a different background and may have experienced more in their lifetime than another. I think the best way to introduce this competency would be by having a class discussion with what they think global understanding is, how they would define it, and have them share some experiences with the class. Global understanding isn't a topic you can just say "go read about it" it is something an individual has to experience. Global understanding is becoming more aware of your surroundings and what is going on in the world. A first year NCC student should familiarize his/herself with what the competency means and then seek out ways to become more globally aware. Like i wrote in my part I of the exercise just being at Mason could be a culture shock for some, and learning about your peers is a great way to begin learning about the world. Grasping the concept of Global understanding can not be achieved in a day, but as you go through your first year experience in NCC and the next three years of the program you become fluent in the competency and the world will look so different than when you first began the program.

TV's Global Understanding Part !

As a minority in this country, I struggled to fit in and be a part of the whole community without being judged or view differently. When I was growing up, I thought be the same like everyone else in the ways they dress, talk, the style, the music they listen to and the tradition they practice would let me be who I am. I later learned that diversity is what makes United States more unique than other countries. My differences in culture and traditions contribute to the beauty of our country. People seek for different things other than their own to gain more knowledge. I haven't been to any country where Asian, Italian, American, Mexican, and many other restaurants are on the same shopping block. A country with so many races and culture in a classroom.

Growing up as a minority was hard, however, it strengthen my understanding and empathy for others. I will carry this strength into my classroom as a teacher for a multi-culture environment. I respect the difference in perspectives base on culture, ethnic, and religion. I don't want my students to feel a need to change who they are but rather encourage them to be proud that they are different for the class and I will learn and vice versa. I will listen with a sincere heart and empathize to their misbehavior for I need to know where they came from and how they were brought up. I also need to be sensitive to their needs and differences.

TV's Aesthetic Awareness Part II

I encourage new NCC students to open up their horizon and explore everything there is in life, especially the beautiful work of art. Be flexible and yielding. Look at things from both yours and someone else's perspectives. Analyze and use that to reflect on who you are. It will lead you to be mature, intelligent, analytical, and critical thinkers in life. That is what NCC is looking for in you.

TV's Aesthetic Awareness Part I

Aesthetic Awareness: Part I

According to NCC, Aesthetic Awareness “expands an individual's concepts of art beyond the museum to include music, poetry, literature and dance, as well as elements of design in culture.” In this context, awareness means to be observant to the things around you as you step into a new environment, or even a new environment. Be able to analysis everything that brings to your attention. I believe everything around me is a work of art because Art is created by someone or something in which they can express who they are. When I look at my dad's garden, I can feel what he felt when he worked on it, his character, and the hidden self that he can't express. Art is non-verbal communication. Being aware of the things you see can lead you to finding out the person that you are or have become.

Your values and your understanding for different culture (global understanding) come into play for your awareness to flourish. With your sets of values, you can interpret a piece of art differently than others with a different set of values than your own. You can disagree or agree with the artists message. You can either be respecting or disrespecting to the piece of art. With this you need to understand that our country is very diverse. We not only have different minds but also different cultures. People do things and see things differently than you. With this understanding, you will be able to interpret a piece of art with an open mind. It is always good to learn something new from different culture. Learn to look around and give a piece of art a little bit more of your attention and time when you step into a room. Sometimes, something intangible can be more intriguing than something that can speak your mind. It boggles your mind and give you growth.

Jessica's Global Understanding - Part I

academic work - As far as academic work I find that being a college student makes one aware of what is going on in the world. Especially at MASON where the population is very diverse you quickly learn so much about many different cultures. Being more globally aware also makes you more tolerable of others around you. When you learn about cultures unfamiliar to you, you begin to understand why specific groups of people act the way they do. One example was when i took an anthropology class and we learned about different native tribes and their lifestyles. We found it bizarre that people could still live the way they did and learned how and why keeping their culture and vaules the same was so important to them. I think that each day we become more globally aware of what is going on around us.. and MASON is a great place to enhance your knowledge.

written text - When i was working on a global awareness project for NCLC 391 I read many texts that went along with my topic (Animal Abuse). I learned of many different laws and guidelines that applied to animal rights. I found that everyone has different ways of treating their animals. In the US we are very much aware of what is right and wrong, even though others get away with mistreating animals; but in places like China they don't look at domestic pets they way we do. They are badly abused and many people will beat an animal if they see it being walked down a street. From doing my research I found that nationwide animal rights laws are different in each state; what we find to be cruelty in VA may not be the same for other states. This project made me more globally aware of the treatments of animals around the world and also made my class more aware of how animals are being mistreated world wide.

non-written text - The most common media TV is what has made me more globally aware. From the attacks on 9/11 to the Nuclear testing of N. Korea I feel that the news brings everyone information to being more globally aware. The news gives you insight to what is happening in the world. With Channels like CNN and FOXNEWS people can be up to date with their world in no time. The news has even gone live on the internet for those who may not have time to sit and watch. I feel that TV is everyones source for worldwide information. In the blink of an eye we can get the weather, sports, movie reviews, and the good and bad of what is happening around us.

Colleen's Part Two Global Understanding

If I were to explain the value of global understanding to a new student entering New Century College, I would first make sure the student understands how NCC defines global understanding. I would tell the student that global understanding extends beyond a person's awareness of the different cultures, ethnicities and geographical locations that influence an individual's thinking and belief systems. Global understanding is how we interact, learn, and develop ourselves through engaging with diversity. I would elaborate by explaining how global understanding relates to the emerging technologies of today, as well as the expansive nature of global business. I would also stress the importance of understanding not only in acknowledging and accepting diversity but rather understanding what makes people different and how these differences empower people to continue their learning. Also, focusing on how global understanding gives people the opportunity to connect and interact with people who they would ordinarily never have crossed their path.

Finally, I would give some ideas on how the student can practice developing his/her global understanding. I would suggest that the student evaluate how the diversity of George Mason University serves as a resource for global understanding. I would encourage the student to make connections between international current events to technology and how people who are able to utilize diversity, to their advantage, succeed in the technological advancements of today. Finally, I would suggest visiting various museums, theatres, communities, etc. where diversity serves as a foundation for learning. All of these activities would give the student an opportunity to establish connections between global understanding and other competencies within New Century College.