Running head: LEARNING OUTCOME REFLECTION

Learning Outcome Reflection: Social and Cultural Relations Troy J. Cook The Robert B. Miller College February 24, 2014

REFLECTION 2: SOCIAL AND CULTURAL Reflection 4: Social and Cultural Relations At the end of my journey as a college student at The Robert B. Miller College I was

asked to reflect upon various outcomes described in the Mission Statement for the School of Arts & Sciences. For the purpose of this paper I will be discussing exactly that, social and cultural relations, reflecting upon personal, social, and cultural dynamics. Through life experiences and the curriculum assigned, advancements have been made. My course of studies while at Miller College further developed my social and cultural relation skills. The first dynamic of social and cultural relations I would like to reflect upon is personal. During my time here at Miller College I have further developed my social relation skills through the use of personal relationships. These relationships have been through both instructors and peers. For example, John Rasmussen and Tammi Lawrence have played a huge part in my success here at Miller College. Both instructors provided me with guidance through the use of patience and understanding. Another example would be a fellow student, Christy Angell. Christy has been there to help me with papers numerous times, both with the actual thought process as well as peer reviewing drafts before final submission. Without these interactions, success would have proven to be much harder. Through the use of personal relationships I have further developed my social relation skills. The next dynamic of social and cultural relations I would like to reflect upon is social. To show growth in this dynamic I will be using two examples. The first example I will be using for support is the service learning log. One requirement to graduate here at Miller College was to provide one service learning hour per every credit hour taken. By service learning I mean volunteer time given to the community. Because I am an active father and have two children, currently age five and six, my time was given at the schools. For instance at both my daughters

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and sons school I spent time in the classroom helping with parties or daily operations. However, my involvement with my sons school extended further with me being involved in the Branch County Head Start Policy Council. Through these experiences I was able to further develop my social relations skills. The second example I will be using to further support growth in this dynamic is the artifact for PSYC 310 Organization/Group Dynamics. I took this class during the spring semester 2013. This class and the artifact assignment helped me understand better the operations involved within the Policy Council. While the time spent in the classrooms helped the social involvement between staff members at my childrens school, the class and artifact assigned helped me further the social involvement between members of the Policy Council. The third dynamic of social and cultural relations I would like to reflect upon is cultural. Through the teachings of Harry Adamson, instructor for SOCI 310, and the exposure from the artifact I was able to further my knowledge of various cultures. For example, during his teachings he often talked about the different ways to view people from other cultures coming to the United States. By introducing me to the concept of pluralism I was able to further develop my cultural relations. Another example that further developed my cultural relation skills was the artifact assigned by Harry. For this assignment I choose to explore another religion, one that was different from mine in every way. Being raised Pentecostal my whole life the Catholic religion was a religion that I had no knowledge about, therefore producing a personal bias. Through research and attendance at a Sunday morning service I was able to look at another culture without bias, but rather knowledge. Between the service learning log requirement and SOCI 310 at Miller College I was able to develop further skills in social and cultural relations. My course of studies while at Miller College further developed my social and cultural

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relation skills. Reflecting back throughout various situations, both personally and academically, I have grown as an individual due to the education delivered while at Miller College. While not all growth was recognized at the time, the growth is there. Social and cultural relation skills are an important aspect of evolving as a person. While life as a whole is a journey we must all travel, these skills can only help with the road that lies ahead. Conflict will arise but with the use of social and cultural relations, resolution can prevail!