{"id":414,"date":"2018-10-27T21:55:28","date_gmt":"2018-10-27T21:55:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-esc-educationalplanning\/?post_type=chapter&p=414"},"modified":"2018-12-11T18:11:13","modified_gmt":"2018-12-11T18:11:13","slug":"sample-discussion-of-academic-expectations","status":"publish","type":"chapter","link":"https:\/\/courses.lumenlearning.com\/suny-esc-educationalplanning\/chapter\/sample-discussion-of-academic-expectations\/","title":{"raw":"Sample Discussion of Academic Expectations","rendered":"Sample Discussion of Academic Expectations"},"content":{"raw":"

Rationale Essay Section: Academic Expectations<\/h2>\r\n

Student 1<\/h3>\r\nArea of Study:<\/strong> Human Development\r\nConcentration:<\/strong> Psychology\r\n\r\nI have consulted Empire State College\u2019s Area of Study Guidelines for Human Development as well as information regarding the APA guidelines for a psychology degree and feel that my degree plan has all the necessary components. Many of my courses will add to the skills that are necessary in the psychology field.\r\n\r\nTo improve my understanding of the biological bases of development, I have chosen to take Brain and Behavior as well as Biology.\u00a0 To\u00a0improve my understanding of the cognitive and emotional\u00a0bases of development, I have chosen to take Cognitive Psychology,\u00a0Learning and Memory, and Attachment Across the Lifespan.\u00a0To improve my understanding of the social bases of development, I have chosen to take Social Psychology and will be taking one of the many courses dealing with the Family. To improve my understanding of the cultural bases of development,\u00a0I have chosen to take Theories of Personality and I took Abnormal Psychology at SUNY Alfred State. I will also be taking Cultural Psychology. To improve my understanding of research skills, I will be taking Social Science Research Methods, and I will also take a related course in Statistics, since so much research in the areas of psychology and human development requires statistical competency.\u00a0To improve my understanding of ethics, I will be taking a course in ethics.\u00a0 Many of my courses\u00a0address human development across the lifespan such as the\u00a0course in Attachment.\u00a0I feel that I have well addressed the knowledge and skills expected for a concentration in the area of human development.\r\n\r\nAccording to the APA guidelines for undergraduate degrees in psychology\u00a0on the APA website, there are five goals\u00a0of an undergraduate degree in psychology, areas which mesh clearly with ESC guidelines: Knowledge Base in Psychology, Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking, Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World, Communication, and Professional Development. Knowledge Base in Psychology has been dealt with, with Introduction to Psychology and various other psychology courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Cultural Psychology, Social Psychology, and others.\u00a0 Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking will be covered with Social Science Research Methods as well as a course in Experimental Design.\u00a0 Ethics will be covered by an ethics course, and diversity is covered, again, with Cultural Psychology.\u00a0I have developed knowledge of professional communication skills via my current position, which I have held for over five years, as a volunteer youth counselor.\u00a0 In this position, I need to listen carefully, respond responsibly to issues that young people share with me, and find\u00a0help in the community, often needing to explain the need for referrals and help\u00a0while still\u00a0maintaining\u00a0professional integrity and not disclosing information I should not be disclosing.\u00a0 I also have to write reports, and in coursework, I have to\u00a0research and write analytical papers.\u00a0 I have\u00a0a strong combination of practical and academic work with communication.\u00a0 Professional development, according to the\u00a0APA guidelines (https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ed\/precollege\/about\/undergraduate-major.aspx) deals with ethics and also with the ability to work in teams,\u00a0reflect on one's self as a professional, and identify one's own developmental needs.\u00a0 I have dealt with coursework such as Counseling Theories and have applied the information in professional settings in my youth counselor role.\u00a0 I also have worked on teams where I volunteer, as we often counsel in groups.\u00a0 And I have been asked to reflect on and report when sessions did not go well - that is built into the process at the organization.\u00a0 So I have been exposed to and practicing these skills related to professional development.\u00a0\u00a0I have also researched and talked with a number of people where I\u00a0volunteer, and know what I need to do in order to take appropriate classes and complete my degree in order to be considered for full-time employment.\u00a0 Just as I have dealt with ESC guidelines, I also have dealt carefully with APA guidelines for knowledge and skills.\r\n\r\nBy researching other college\u2019s requirements, Empire State Colleges Catalog, and consulting the guidelines for a psychology degree, I feel that I have created an excellent path to completing my Bachelor Degree in Human Development with a concentration in Psychology. I am positive that the combination of past education,\u00a0volunteer experience, present experience with Empire State College and life experience will completely prepare me for continued course work and advancement in this field.\r\n

Student 2<\/h3>\r\nArea of Study:<\/strong> Cultural Studies\r\nConcentration: <\/strong>Creative Writing\r\n\r\nI am addressing the general guidelines in the following ways:\r\n

Knowledge<\/h4>\r\n
    \r\n \t
  • Identify major authors, works, ideas and developments in the field. - I have courses in Shakespeare, Contemporary American Woman Writers, 20th Century American Fiction, and U.S. Multicultural Fiction.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Distinguish among and apply different forms and approaches in the field. - I have courses in which I have both studied and created short fiction, poetry, and creative nonfiction essays.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Explain and apply theories, critical approaches and methodologies in the field. - I have a course in Literary Interpretation as a Method of Inquiry which examines critical approaches and methodologies.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Examine diverse cross-cultural and historical perspectives which may address questions of gender, class, race, sexuality, disability, etc. - I have courses in U.S. Multicultural Fiction, Fiction of Contemporary India in Translation, and Fiction of the Oppressed.<\/li>\r\n \t
  • Demonstrate understanding of current issues and trends as appropriate to the selected field. - I have a course in Digital Storytelling, as digital formats are the most important current trend.\u00a0 I also expect to take a course in Information Design which will enhance my\u00a0abilities to create and self-publish fiction in digital formats.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

    Skills<\/h4>\r\n
      \r\n \t
    • Critically read and interpret information, including the ability to distinguish main and supporting ideas, evaluate the logic of a presentation, identify underlying assumptions and interpret levels of meaning. - all of my literature courses deal with interpretation and analytical writing, which requires supporting a main insight with evidence from the literary texts.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Communicate ideas fully, precisely and creatively in discussion and writing. - All of my writing courses, both creative writing and analytical writing, emphasize clear presentation of ideas.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Research and use sources appropriate to the field from a variety of modes, including digital and social; evaluate sources; cite sources correctly. - All of my advanced-level courses required research and evaluation of sources.<\/li>\r\n \t
    • Demonstrate research that includes comparison and analysis of diverse perspectives, values and beliefs. - My Literary Interpretation course offered different lenses through which literature has been viewed, historically and in contemporary times.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n

      Student 3<\/h3>\r\nArea of Study:<\/strong>\u00a0 Business, Management and Economics\r\nConcentration:<\/strong> Business Administration\r\n\r\nAt Empire State College I am pursuing a concentration in Management which falls under the Business, Management and Economics (BME) Area of Study.\u00a0Students in the BME area of study are expected to have knowledge in the following areas:\u00a0communication skills, information management, economics, ethical and social responsibility, quantitative skills, understanding of people in organizational contexts, and understanding organizations within broader contexts.\u00a0My previous academic and life experiences coupled with courses from ESC should satisfy these requirements.\r\n\r\nCommunications skills in their various forms are essential to business.\u00a0Primary classes that have taught me communications skills were English Composition I and II and Public Speaking.\u00a0In English courses I learned how to express my ideas in writing in an organized fashion.\u00a0On the other hand, by taking Public Speaking I learned public speaking skills.\u00a0Other courses that I have taken and plan to take teach various forms of communication skills as well, which include numerous papers on a variety of topics, concise summaries of books, and electronic communication.\r\n\r\nInformation management\u00a0has become essential to business in the 21st<\/sup> century as well and now students are expected to have basic knowledge of information technology and systems that are relevant to their area of study.\u00a0I plan to gain that knowledge by taking a Management Information Systems course in the future.\u00a0According to the online course description it is designed to explore how information systems help solve many organizational problems and challenges giving organizations a competitive edge.\r\n\r\nEconomics principles are woven into the fabric of business and thus an understanding of its principles is a requirement for a BME area of study.\u00a0I have fulfilled that requirement by taking Macroeconomics and Microeconomics courses at ESC.\u00a0These courses have given me understanding of many economics principles that are assumed in further business courses.\r\n\r\nI plan to satisfy the ethical and social responsibility requirement by taking a Business Ethics course. This course shows how business ethics are a part of various aspects of business such as corporate philosophy, environmental concern, and management behavior.\u00a0In the course the students study in-depth several important social issues that relate to doing business in modern society.\r\n\r\nI have gained quantitative skills though courses previously taken, namely Calculus and Introduction to Statistics.\u00a0These courses are built on a wide knowledge of mathematical principles and equipped me with deeper quantitative skills and taught me how to approach a quantitative problem in a systematic way.\r\n\r\nIn order to understand people in an organizational context I plan to take courses in Organizational Behavior, Human Resource Management and Development, and Management Principles.\u00a0Organizational Behavior explores the sociological and psychological foundations of behavior in organizations addressing topics such as individual and group decision-making, organizational theory, motivation, communication, organizational diversity.\u00a0By taking Human Resource Management and Development I can examine the personnel\/human resource portion of an organization in more detail.\u00a0And since management in business in large portion relies on basic management theories,\u00a0taking a course in Principles of Management will lay the foundation of my studies in business.\r\n\r\nIn order to understand organizations within broader contexts and provide a foundation for graduates of ESC to function effectively in a complex and changing world the guidelines encourage students to include learning that addresses diversity, political, international, technological or environmental issues. According to course descriptions both Organizational Behavior and Human Resource Management & Development courses include learning that address organizational diversity and how organizations deal with the demands of external environments.\u00a0A course in International\u00a0Management\u00a0should provide further understanding of how international issues affect organizations.\u00a0In addition, my life experiences should contribute to understanding how to effectively function in a complex and changing world.\u00a0I grew up and graduated from high school in Kazakhstan and after that moved to the U.S. where almost every aspect of life differs from what I've known before.\u00a0I had to learn to adapt to a different cultures and different sub-cultures by living both in the Southeastern and Northeastern United States.\u00a0Working in an Emergency Room for 5 years also gave me a chance to interact with people from a very wide range of demographics.\r\n

      Concentration (Management)<\/h4>\r\nI have management principles to address the \"broad-based knowledge of management fundamentals,\" along with HR Management.\u00a0 Management Practice\/Specific Knowledge resides in courses devoted to Management Theory, Leadership, Project Management, and Accounting. Critical Thinking and Applied Learning Skills were covered in Organizational Behavior. And I will be taking a course in Business Ethics to address that guideline.\u00a0 My capstone study will be in Strategic Management, as I feel that this is the most general and applicable capstone available.\r\nI have taken both micro and macroeconomics courses in order to satisfy the requirement in economics.\u00a0Macroeconomics has helped me see a big picture of how economy as a whole works and Microeconomics has helped me see understand principles that affect decision making of individual firms.\u00a0These courses are foundational to any study of business.","rendered":"

      Rationale Essay Section: Academic Expectations<\/h2>\n

      Student 1<\/h3>\n

      Area of Study:<\/strong> Human Development
      \nConcentration:<\/strong> Psychology<\/p>\n

      I have consulted Empire State College\u2019s Area of Study Guidelines for Human Development as well as information regarding the APA guidelines for a psychology degree and feel that my degree plan has all the necessary components. Many of my courses will add to the skills that are necessary in the psychology field.<\/p>\n

      To improve my understanding of the biological bases of development, I have chosen to take Brain and Behavior as well as Biology.\u00a0 To\u00a0improve my understanding of the cognitive and emotional\u00a0bases of development, I have chosen to take Cognitive Psychology,\u00a0Learning and Memory, and Attachment Across the Lifespan.\u00a0To improve my understanding of the social bases of development, I have chosen to take Social Psychology and will be taking one of the many courses dealing with the Family. To improve my understanding of the cultural bases of development,\u00a0I have chosen to take Theories of Personality and I took Abnormal Psychology at SUNY Alfred State. I will also be taking Cultural Psychology. To improve my understanding of research skills, I will be taking Social Science Research Methods, and I will also take a related course in Statistics, since so much research in the areas of psychology and human development requires statistical competency.\u00a0To improve my understanding of ethics, I will be taking a course in ethics.\u00a0 Many of my courses\u00a0address human development across the lifespan such as the\u00a0course in Attachment.\u00a0I feel that I have well addressed the knowledge and skills expected for a concentration in the area of human development.<\/p>\n

      According to the APA guidelines for undergraduate degrees in psychology\u00a0on the APA website, there are five goals\u00a0of an undergraduate degree in psychology, areas which mesh clearly with ESC guidelines: Knowledge Base in Psychology, Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking, Ethical and Social Responsibility in a Diverse World, Communication, and Professional Development. Knowledge Base in Psychology has been dealt with, with Introduction to Psychology and various other psychology courses such as Abnormal Psychology, Cultural Psychology, Social Psychology, and others.\u00a0 Scientific Inquiry and Critical Thinking will be covered with Social Science Research Methods as well as a course in Experimental Design.\u00a0 Ethics will be covered by an ethics course, and diversity is covered, again, with Cultural Psychology.\u00a0I have developed knowledge of professional communication skills via my current position, which I have held for over five years, as a volunteer youth counselor.\u00a0 In this position, I need to listen carefully, respond responsibly to issues that young people share with me, and find\u00a0help in the community, often needing to explain the need for referrals and help\u00a0while still\u00a0maintaining\u00a0professional integrity and not disclosing information I should not be disclosing.\u00a0 I also have to write reports, and in coursework, I have to\u00a0research and write analytical papers.\u00a0 I have\u00a0a strong combination of practical and academic work with communication.\u00a0 Professional development, according to the\u00a0APA guidelines (https:\/\/www.apa.org\/ed\/precollege\/about\/undergraduate-major.aspx) deals with ethics and also with the ability to work in teams,\u00a0reflect on one’s self as a professional, and identify one’s own developmental needs.\u00a0 I have dealt with coursework such as Counseling Theories and have applied the information in professional settings in my youth counselor role.\u00a0 I also have worked on teams where I volunteer, as we often counsel in groups.\u00a0 And I have been asked to reflect on and report when sessions did not go well – that is built into the process at the organization.\u00a0 So I have been exposed to and practicing these skills related to professional development.\u00a0\u00a0I have also researched and talked with a number of people where I\u00a0volunteer, and know what I need to do in order to take appropriate classes and complete my degree in order to be considered for full-time employment.\u00a0 Just as I have dealt with ESC guidelines, I also have dealt carefully with APA guidelines for knowledge and skills.<\/p>\n

      By researching other college\u2019s requirements, Empire State Colleges Catalog, and consulting the guidelines for a psychology degree, I feel that I have created an excellent path to completing my Bachelor Degree in Human Development with a concentration in Psychology. I am positive that the combination of past education,\u00a0volunteer experience, present experience with Empire State College and life experience will completely prepare me for continued course work and advancement in this field.<\/p>\n

      Student 2<\/h3>\n

      Area of Study:<\/strong> Cultural Studies
      \nConcentration: <\/strong>Creative Writing<\/p>\n

      I am addressing the general guidelines in the following ways:<\/p>\n

      Knowledge<\/h4>\n