APL 102

J. A. Dale

 

Assignment One – due Thurs., Feb. 16

This is a two-part assignment.  The first part asks you to think about your first semester, and consider things you would like to continue, and things you would like to change.  The second part asks you to explore activities outside the classroom.

 

I.                    Part 1- Beginning of the Semester Reflection.  Please cover both a and b.  This should result in a 2-3 page essay.

a.       Experiencing college during the first semester often leads to academic, social, and personal changes.  It can be constructive to spend some time reflecting on these changes.  In this part of the assignment, you are to reflect on your first semester and identify your successes and disappointments.  Consider both your course work and your co-curricular activities.  Note that success and disappointment may not necessarily be reflected in your final grade in a course.  Consider what changes you might make in your approach to your college education and what benefits you would hope to get from them.

b.      For each of your current courses, write about a paragraph assessing each of the following:

                                                   i.      How grades are assigned in the course (i.e. major assignments, tests, etc.), and what your estimated current grade would be at this point.

                                                 ii.      Possible areas of difficulty.

                                                iii.      Solutions for resolving the potential problems mentioned in ii.

 

II.                 Part Two - Exploring the Resources of the ACCEL office.  You must complete one of the two listed activities (either a OR b). Each activity results in a 1-2 page report.  For more information, refer to the College catalog, Office of Off-Campus Study, ACCEL, the college’s web page, and various departmental postings for potential opportunities

a.       Visit the International Office website at http://webpub.allegheny.edu/dept/io/spon_prog.html and explore the locations where Allegheny has sponsored study abroad programs.  Identify a site where you would like to study and write a 2-page essay explaining why you would like to do so and what you need to do to prepare for this experience.  Consider language proficiency, application process, and how you will meet your graduation requirements.  If you do not find a sponsored program that you like but would still like to study abroad, you can focus this assignment on an independent program. Research independent programs at www.studyabroad.com or www.iiepassport.org.

 

OR

 

b.      Experiences outside of the traditional classroom, what we're now calling "experiential learning, or sometimes, service learning," can be a significant part of your educational program at Allegheny College. Real-world experiences can provide hands-on activities relating to your academic studies and can help you discover what you would like to do after leaving Allegheny. Such experiences also demonstrate to future employers your ability to translate class work into practical situations.

 

**This assignment should be submitted by February 16.  Turn in one copy but make sure that you keep a copy for your own records.  We will be meeting at my place as a group (all APL 102 students) on Thursday Feb 16th at 5:30 for good food and good company.

 

 (Some advisees are meeting in the parking lot of Carnegie Hall at 5:15 to give others rides and if it is great weather it is a nice walk to 477 Cole Dr. the other side of  the football field. Remember it is a white house on the right with the little boat trailer beside it.)