Goal Grade
My goal for the 2025 fall semester is to receive an A in my CODES 221 Research class. I beleive that through my consistent dedication to research, timely and cogent work, and my unique skillset that I am able to achieve this goal.
| A Work | B Work | C Work |
-Misses one class or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Annotates all readings thoroughly -Makes substantive comments in discussions -Completes all assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Work demonstrates intellectual engagement, care, effort, and growth in response to feedback -Collaborates substantially, contributes to vision, works equally with peers | -Misses two classes or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Annotates readings -Often participates in discussion -Completes all major assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Completes most SAs on time -Work demonstrates care, effort and growth in response to feedback -Collaborates equally, completes required work | -Misses three classes or less, or completes make-up work for excused absences -Completes most readings -Sometimes adds to discussion -Completes all major assignments on time (or has an approved extension request) -Completes at least four SAs -Meets minimal expectations on assignments; shows limited growth in response to feedback -Completes required collaborative work |
First-Week Introduction
The first week of Sophomore year brings a new collection of challenges and opportunities for growth. With the numerous experiences the CODES program has given me, I feel confident that I will have a successful semester both personally and professionally.
Midterm Introduction
This semester has been one of the most challenging experiences I have had in my academic career. I have spent many sleepless nights working on homework, studying for exams, developing projects and setting myself up for success. In addition to the academic pressure I have faced, I have been working tirelessly at my job to support myself and my family. These struggles have not broken my resolve but have pushed me to work harder and preserver through the struggles I have faced. I am fortified in my resolve; working harder than ever to watch the fruits of my success grow and I believe that my work reflects this.
Final Introduction
I’ve never felt so utterly gutted and tired in my entire life. Throughout high school and Freshman year, I became accustomed to feeling relived and proud of myself when completing a semester, that my hard work and dedication meant something and was rewarded accordingly. Not this time. Every day I came to this class, I had a horrible headache and felt incredibly stressed, that one wrong move would lead to failure. I feel that I gained nothing from this class except the realization that sometimes no matter how hard you work, success is not guaranteed. So be it.
Course Goals
Choose five goals from the CODES Student Learning Outcomes that you’d like to work toward. Choose goals that are relevant to the scope of this course, select artifacts/examples based on activities assigned for this course, and explain characteristics in a way that illustrates how your artifacts/examples demonstrate your progress toward the goal.
Goal 1 (20%)
(20%)
(7B) Pursues knowledge and educational experience beyond the classroom.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| I will learn and develop this skill through participating in research assignments, collecting data on in- class topics, and communicating my knowledge through multiple channels | Scientist Spotlight 1 assignment. “Picking Sweetgrass” Reflection Reading Reflections Jigsaw prep | The observational aspect of the assignment allows me to apply outside information to the topic. The “Picking Sweetgrass” reflection allows me to apply my Native American history understanding to the project. Reflection assignments allow me to apply outside information to the topic at hand. Jigsaw prep assignments require full understanding of the topic to be interpreted with outside information. |
Goal 2 (20%)
(12A) Helps collaboration move forward by articulating the merits of alternative ideas.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| This skill will be developed through the propagation of unique viewpoints and assessing data and research objectively. | Final Research paper Jigsaw prep Draft outline Scientist spotlight | The final research paper will display my ability to collaborate with others to ensure success. Jigsaw prep assignments will be shared among the class and therefor push forward collaboration The draft outline will be worked upon by multiple students, producing beneficial collaboration strategies. By sharing the scientist spotlight assignments within class, collaboration will be ensured. |
Goal 3 (20%)
(5A) Defines the scope of research questions effectively and selects information cogently to address them.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| I will display proficiency in this skill through the use of the scientific method and continuously updating data when new information is obtained. | 10 Research Paper Citations Scientist spotlight Experimental Draft Design Reading Reflection | By curating ten citations, I will narrow the research question to a manageable and meaningful scope. The scientist spotlight assignments require an understanding of the research the scientist conducted. The experimental draft design must have a well-defined research question, producing this learning outcome. Reflection assignments allow me to interpret research questions with respect to the topic at hand. |
Goal 4 (20%)
(3A) Identifies and analyzes their core beliefs and reflects upon their origin.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| Mastery in this skill will be through the depiction of potential biases, both my own and others, seen within research projects. | Final Research paper Reading reflection Experimental Draft design Scientist spotlight | The final research paper will encompass both my personal and professional experiences. Reading reflection assignments will provide an opportunity to describe and interpret my ideas. The experimental draft design will encompass both my personal experience and data to produce an effective research plan. The scientist spotlight assignment displays my interpretation on the selected scientists’ research. |
Goal 5 (20%)
(1C) Tailors communication strategies to effectively listen, express, and adapt to others to establish relationships both in person and online.
| What will you do to learn the content/ develop the skill? | What examples will you add to the portfolio to demonstrate your learning? | What characteristics of the chosen examples demonstrate you have met your goal? |
| This skill will be depicted through the unique ways of displaying research projects both online and in person | 10 Research Paper Citations Scientist spotlight Experimental Draft Design Reading Reflection | The 10 citations will display my ability to utilize research materials. The scientist spotlight assignment displays my ability to listen and interpret large amounts of information. The experimental draft design must have a well-defined research question, producing this learning outcome. Reading reflection assignments will provide an opportunity to describe and interpret my ideas. |
Evidence:
(7B) Pursues knowledge and educational experience beyond the classroom.
The Scientist Spotlight 1 assignment demonstrates my ability to apply knowledge that I have ascertained outside of the traditional educational setting (in this case, my understanding of racism within science) to topics that we study in class. My application of this understanding enriches the reading and offers a new perspective on the topic. Due to this, I believe that this assignment demonstrates my proficiency when referring to the learning outcome.
Within this reflection, I applied my personal experience to the text, answering questions not only with textual analysis but also with anecdotal reflections. This assignment displays my ability to connect big and often sociological concepts to the material that we learn in class. Due to this, I believe this artifact is a good display of my proficiency in this learning outcome.
This assignment displays my passion for my work and how I apply both professional and personal experiences to my assignments. Although I often feel passionate about my work, I limit this passion and mold it to a useful and professional state. Due to this, I believe that I display proficiency in this skillset.
This final presentation displays my creative process and how I can apply said process to the work we do within class. Due to this, I believe that this assignment displays my proficiency in this skill and how I apply my skills I have obtained from outside the classroom setting to the work we do within class.
(12A) Helps collaboration move forward by articulating the merits of alternative ideas.
With my objective focused viewpoint, this assignment was conducted with respect to proper data collection and analysis strategies. I both analyzed and interpreted data within the selected scientific research article concisely and cogently, explaining my answers with data backed reasoning and understanding.
This Scientist Spotlight assignment demonstrates my ability to interpret and explain the context of selected course material in my own words, withholding unnecessary information while propagating the core ideas of a text. Although my work is descriptive, I limit myself to simply displaying crucial information, making my work easy to read and interpret. Due to this, I beleive that this assignment is an example of my proficency in the outcome.
This test displays my ability to recall all the information I have learned throughout the first half of the semester and apply it in one test. Although I did not get an A in this test, I managed to work proficiently enough to pass with a C; furthering my proficiency in the course as a result. Due to this, I feel that this artifact reflects my proficiency in this skill.
This scientist spotlight assignment displays my ability to utilize my unique perspective on topics such as conservation and research to objectively respond to the given prompts. I am a very opinionated person and through these opinions I find commonality with the researcher; how the difficulties of maintaining an optimistic perspective in the face of ecological stress is important to the communication of research. Due to this, I feel that the assignment displays my ability in this outcome.
(5A) Defines the scope of research questions effectively and selects information cogently to address them.
With this annotated bibliography, I was able to develop, research, and find sources that connect to our research question. Through this research, I was able to find numerous sources that not only better define the general direction of our research but provide supplemental information referring to the topics we are researching. Due to this, it is my belief that this assignment shows a deep understanding of the learning outcome and my proficiency in it.
The “Tending Sweetgrass” reflection is an assignment in which I utilize my textual analysis skills to apply the readings that we perform in class to our groups research project. With the book and our research sharing many common themes, the ability to connect the two entities together is incredibly beneficial. Due to this, I believe that this assignment is a sufficient artifact to depict my understanding.
This jigsaw assignment quantifies all of the different research papers that discuss the topic of indigenous land knowledge and ecology. With this assignment, I view these papers through a personal lenses; discussing how the papers work within each other and share separate ideas. Due to this, I believe I display proficiency in this learning outcome, as I define the gathered information.
These jigsaw prep notes discuss the topic of conservation and the global systems that uphold ecology. Reading through the paper, I look to speak on how although this paper discusses Tanzania the lessons learned can be applied throughout the world. I believe this applies to the learning outcome due to my unique interpretation of the paper and how its application can be utilized in different ways.
(3A) Identifies and analyzes their core beliefs and reflects upon their origin.
Although used previously under outcome 7B, I believe that this assignment perfectly demonstrates my ability to reflect upon my core beliefs when referring to the topics we study in class. I am a very opinionated person who is not afraid to voice said opinions on topics which I am passionate about, including class material. By addressing and reflecting on these views, I believe I demonstrate an understanding of the learning outcome.
Although not perfect, this draft outline demonstrates my ability to withhold my opinions within a research environment. During collaborative work, I often struggle with dominating the project, limiting my fellow researcher’s impact and producing a inferior design. Within this assignment however, I promoted collaboration and fostered a healthy work environment, demonstrating an understanding of this skill as a result.
This midterm reflection displays my ability to honestly reflect on my progress throughout the semester. I struggled deeply throughout the first half of my sophomore year and as angry and upset as I was, I managed to pull through and finish our group’s project successfully. Due to this, I believe that this reflection displays my ability in this skillset.
This final CODE 220 project demonstrates my ability to edit and construct a working final project that presents my research throughout the semester in one assignment. Drafting is a difficult task for me as I do not like to edit my work, however I challenged myself and worked to make the draft more concise. Due to this, I feel that this draft demonstrates my proficiency in this learning outcome.
(1C) Tailors communication strategies to effectively listen, express, and adapt to others to establish relationships both in person and online.
This final presentation and the associated presentation display my oratory ability and my proficiency in giving presentations. I was able to turn a multi-page document into a concise presentation, relaying our group’s research in a format that is easily consumable. Due to this, I believe that this project displays my success in this skillset.
This scientist spotlight displays my personal ability to objectively view an assignment and discuss what the researcher’s work means to me. Because of this, I believe that this assignment accurately reflects my skill in this field and that I show proficiency in said skill.
This jigsaw prep assignment displays my ability to work within the parameters of the assignment to express both my own views as well as the data given within the assignment. I discuss my personal views on the author’s work and how it intertwines with my own experiences. Because of this, I believe that I show proficiency in this skillset.
With the project draft assignment, my group and I work together to create a cohesive outline that accurately describes how the process of research applies to our project. We worked diligently to produce a general outline and from that outline we produced our finalized project. Due to this, I believe that this draft displays an understanding of this skill.