How have you developed or demonstrated this competency this semester?
Domain-specific (eg, the arts, the sciences)
Can you give an example of a time when you had to solve a problem that required that you apply something you learned while in college? Was this application based on something you learned in the course of your major? Another class? As a result of other experiences you had?
Give an example of when you took a different direction or approach to an assignment or problem. In what way was your direction risky, controversial, or innovative? Why did you choose this approach, and how did you defend it to others?
During my first year seminar, I took a risk with my argument and eluded to how Lahiri’s use of flashback demonstrates that one of the characters, Mala, is propelling the narrator’s healing. This argument was very fragile as I had to demonstrate that flashbacks were showing how the narrator was healing, and how it was Mala that was prompting these flashbacks. This creative, but difficult direction to take this paper made it difficult for me to approach the paper and find a structure that worked. In the end, I never did find a structure that worked or one that made sense in terms of the content. As opposed to many of my classmates who made more simple arguments that were not too fragile, my argument had many aspects that I was expected to tie together in order for it to make sense.
I chose this approach because when I write papers, I enjoy challenging myself and making the project feel like a puzzle. It is important for me to push myself sometimes and find areas where I could find my weaknesses and work on them. This project allowed me to find a way to try out a claim that though I knew was risky, would give me the chance to grow and change my writing style. In all honesty, it was difficult to defend my argument to others at first because of the structure, but with Prof. Silber’s help, I was able to get my point across to my group that was helping me work on my paper.
Overall, though this paper did not turn out to be the project I wanted in the end because it was still difficult for my readers to understand what I wanted them to do, I am glad that I took this risk and tried something new. I still produced strong work, but I allowed myself to try out a new method. This paper allowed me to go outside my comfort zone and embrace my creativity in an academic setting. I am going to continue working on my creativity and finding a healthy balance between what does and what does not work.
Interdisciplinary
Can you name an idea you had that required that you synthesize different academic domains or interdisciplinary experiences? In what way was your direction risky, controversial, or innovative? Why did you choose this approach, and how did you defend it to others?
