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As part of the certification requirements at Mount Mary College, educators in training are required to produce an electronic portfolio. You are currently viewing the "Liberal Arts" section of my portfolio, which contains reflective statements and links to artifacts which illustrate my completion of the general studies requirements set by the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction.
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QUOTES ABOUT THE LIBERAL ARTS
It is not so very important for a person to learn facts. For that he does not really need a college. He can learn them from books. The value of an education is a liberal arts college is not learning of many facts but the training of the mind to think something that cannot be learned from textbooks. - Albert Einstein
The basic purpose of a liberal arts education is to liberate the human being to exercise his or her potential to the fullest. - Barbara M. White
A liberal education... frees a man from the prison-house of his class, race, time, place, background, family and even his nation. - Robert M. Hutchins
QUOTES ABOUT THE SYMBOLIC REALM
Like stones, words are laborious and unforgiving, and the fitting of them together, like the fitting of stones, demands great patience and strength of purpose and particular skill. - Edmund Morrison
My aim is to put down on paper what I see and what I feel in the best and simplest way. - Ernest Hemingway
Think and speak the beautiful only. - Christian Larson
Put it before them briefly so they will read it, clearly so they will appreciate it, picturesquely so they will remember it, and above all, accurately so they will be guided by its light. - Joseph Pulitzer
Syntax, my lad. It has been restored to the highest place in the republic. - John Steinbeck
Code is Poetry. - Wordpress.org
Pure mathematics is, in its way, the poetry of logical ideas. - Albert Einstein
Go down deep enough into anything and you will find mathematics. - Dean Schlicter
If we don't believe in freedom of expression for people we despise, we don't believe in it at all. - Noam Chomsky
Language is a process of free creation; its laws and principles are fixed, but the manner in which the principles of generation are used is free and infinitely varied. Even the interpretation and use of words involves a process of free creation. - Noam Chomsky
QUOTES ABOUT THE ESTHETIC REALM
Art is beauty, the perpetual invention of detail, the choice of words, the exquisite care of execution. - Théophile Gautier
If the King loves music, it is well with the land. - Mencius
Music washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life. - Berthold Auerbach
To dance is to be out of yourself. Larger, more beautiful, more powerful. This is power, it is glory on earth and it is yours for the taking. - Agnes De Mille
Furthermore, the writer is delegated to declare and to celebrate man's proven capacity for greatness of heart and spirit - for gallantry in defeat - for courage, compassion and love. In the endless war against weakness and despair, these are the bright rally-flags of hope and of emulation. I hold that a writer who does not passionately believe in the perfectibility of man, has no dedication nor any membership in literature. - John Steinbeck
Beauty is truth, truth beauty,—that is all / Ye know on earth, and all ye need to know. - John Keats
Books are humanity in print. - Barbara W. Tuchman
Literature is where I go to explore the highest and lowest places in human society and in the human spirit, where I hope to find not absolute truth but the truth of the tale, of the imagination and of the heart. - Salman Rushdie
Develop an interest in life as you see it; the people, things, literature, music-the world is so rich, simply throbbing with rich treasures, beautiful souls and interesting people. Forget yourself. - Henry Miller
QUOTES ABOUT THE HUMANISTIC REALM
A country without a memory is a country of madmen. - George Santayana
The past does not repeat itself, but it rhymes. - Mark Twain
History, despite its wrenching pain, cannot be unlived, but if faced with courage, need not be lived again. - Maya Angelou
The purpose of anthropology is to make the world safe for human differences. - Ruth Benedict
Anthropology holds up a great mirror to man and lets him look at himself in his infinite variety. - Clyde Kluckhohn
The ideas of economists and political philosophers, both when they are right and when they are wrong, are more powerful than is commonly understood. Indeed the world is ruled by little else. Practical men, who believe themselves to be quite exempt from any intellectual influence, are usually the slaves of some defunct economist. Madmen in authority, who hear voices in the air, are distilling their frenzy from some academic scribbler of a few years back. - John Maynard Keynes
A study of the history of opinion is a necessary preliminary to the emancipation of the mind. - John Maynard Keynes
History is, strictly speaking, the study of questions; the study of answers belongs to anthropology and sociology. - William H. Auden
To understand the true quality of people, you must look into their minds, and examine their pursuits and aversions. - Marcus Aurelius
Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. - Margaret Mead
QUOTES ABOUT THE EMPIRIC REALM
Equipped with his five senses, man explores the universe around him and calls the adventure Science. - Edwin Powell Hubble
Nature composes some of her loveliest poems for the microscope and the telescope. - Theodore Roszak
The important thing in science is not so much to obtain new facts as to discover new ways of thinking about them. - William Lawrence Bragg
Every great advance in science has issued from a new audacity of imagination. - John Dewey
Men love to wonder, and that is the seed of science. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
The greatest discoveries of science have always been those that forced us to rethink our beliefs about the universe and our place in it. - Robert L. Park
The scientist is not a person who gives the right answers, he's one who asks the right questions. - Claude Lévi-Strauss
Research is the process of going up alleys to see if they are blind. - Marston Bates
Every science begins as philosophy and ends as art. - Will Durant
QUOTES ABOUT THE SYNOPTIC REALM
The universe is full of magical things patiently waiting for our wits to grow sharper. - Eden Phillpotts
One's philosophy is not best expressed in words; it is expressed in the choices one makes . . . and the choices we make are ultimately our responsibility. - Eleanor Roosevelt
Let no one delay the study of philosophy while young nor weary of it when old - Epicurus
The essence of philosophy is that a man should so live that his happiness shall depend as little as possible on external things. - Epictetus
I have one life and one chance to make it count for something . . . I'm free to choose what that something is, and the something I've chosen is my faith. Now, my faith goes beyond theology and religion and requires considerable work and effort. My faith demands -- this is not optional -- my faith demands that I do whatever I can, wherever I am, whenever I can, for as long as I can with whatever I have to try to make a difference. - Jimmy Carter
What man actually needs is not a tensionless state but rather the striving and struggling for some goal worthy of him. What he needs is not the discharge of tension at any cost, but the call of a potential meaning waiting to be fulfilled by him. - Viktor Frankl
What is the meaning of life? To be happy and useful. - The Dalai Lama
LIBERAL ARTS
The following sections demonstrate the ways in which I have fulfilled the Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction General Studies requirements. In my education, I have been fortunate to attend institutions that maintained strong beliefs in the necessity of a well-rounded education. Everyday, I find a new reason to be thankful for the breadth of my schooling, which has taught me a variety of ways to look for and finding meaning in my life. For me, meaning in life can be found in the beauty that human beings create in their daily endeavors, the efforts we make to communicate with each other and our inner-most selves, and the knowledge we seek in the natural world. For each of the realms below, I have indicated the courses I have taken and the grades earned, followed by an artifact demonstrating my understanding of the content. For those realms which were not explicitly covered by my class work, I have included other demonstrative artifacts as evidence of my achievement.
Indicator
The teacher candidate has developed a framework based on the basic realms of knowledge (symbolic, esthetic, humanistic, empiric and synoptic) to continue to find meaning in life. Each realm has a set of goals that student must achieve.
SYMBOLIC REALM
Indicator
The symbolic realm develops a student's ability to express herself and translate others' self-expression. Through the communication arts of composition, speech, linguistics, foreign language, mathematics and computers, students learn to communicate the meanings they discover in other realms.
Symbolics Classes
- College Composition -- A
- Introductory Programming -- A
- French I -- B+
- Research Methods -- 68% (A-)
- American English -- A
- Rhetorical Theory & Practice -- A
- Praxis I (PPST) Mathematics Score: 184
Artifact for General Studies: Symbolic Realm
Name of Artifact: Personal Weblog
Date: April 2002 - Present
Institution: gailbremner.com
Reflective Statement
The art of communication, of producing output and processing input, has evolved throughout history, dramatically changing the ways in which we interact with people and our world. The Internet is the single greatest communication revolution ever, and the ability to effectively navigate and manipulate this technology is quickly becoming vital to our student's success on both the national and international level. I began keeping my own web page in 2002, and find that it continues to be both a challenging and rewarding endeavor. Through my blog, I am able to express myself to anyone who cares to read it, and I often find myself engaging with others on subjects that are close to our hearts, even when we live hundreds or thousands of miles apart. I have chosen my web site to indicate my mastery of the symbolic realm, because not only does it require skill in self-expression on both the verbal and technical level, it also allows me to be a small part of the global communication economy.
To view my blog, simply click on the link below, which will open in a pop-up window. To return to this page, simply close the new window.
ESTHETIC REALM
Indicator
The esthetic realm emphasizes the human relationship to beauty. Students study literature, music, art, drama, and dance to understand and appreciate this relationship.
Esthetic Classes
- Survey of British Literature -- A
- Imaginative Writing -- A
- Independent Writing: Journalism -- A, A
- Seminar in American Literature: Native American -- A
- Psychology in Literature -- A
- Plays of Shakespeare -- A
- Contemporary Critical Theory -- A
- Chaucer -- B
- Studies in the Romantic Period -- A
- Honors Tutorial: Early Modern Novel -- A
- Advanced Seminar: Beckett & Pinter -- A
- Studies in Modernism -- B
- Chief American Writers: 1900 - Present -- A
- Studies in American Literature, 1914 - 1945 -- A
- American Literature & Culture, 1945 - 1965 -- 68% (A-)
- Turn of the Century Representations of Sexuality -- 66% (A-)
- Literature of the Western World -- A
- Survey of American Literature -- A
- Numerous Extra-Curriculars
Artifacts for General Studies: Esthetic Realm
Name of Artifact: Candle-Making Certificate
Date: July 1991
Institution: Candlemakers Rothesay on the Isle of Bute
Name of Artifact: Student Progress Report, Guitar
Date: August 1994
Institution: Naperville Music
Reflective Statement
Besides writing, I am hopeless when it comes to esthetic expression, but that has never stopped me from taking an opportunity to try and create something beautiful, whether it be a moving solo or an original, awe-inspiring candle. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, but what I believe is most important is that we all try to see it in the world. To show my appreciation (if not my skills!) in the esthetic realm, I have chosen two artifacts which show my early and continuing devotion to finding a little bit of the fabulous in myself and the world.
To view the artifacts for this standard, you will need the latest version of Adobe Reader or Acrobat. Simply click on the link below to begin downloading the document.
HUMANISTIC REALM
Indicator
The humanistic realm focuses on the relationships among people. Through the study of history, political science, sociology, psychology, anthropology, cultural geography, and economics, students explore past and present society.
Humanistic Classes
- Social Studies
- Basic Psychology -- A
- Honors Seminar: Controversial Issues -- A
- Sociological Perspectives -- A
- Human Origins -- A
- Gender & Sexuality: Differences & Similarities -- A
- Issues in Feminism -- A
- Psychology of Education -- A
- Western History/Culture
- AP European History -- 5/5
- Classical Mythology -- A
- England Before 1485 -- A
- Modern France -- A
- Foundations of Education: History & Philosophy -- A
- Non-Western History/Culture
- China Since 1949: The People's Republic -- B+
- African Literature
Artifacts for General Studies: Humanistic Realm
Name of Artifact: Sociology Test
Date: October 1999
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Reflective Statement
The humanistic realm is essential to the task of teaching in a diverse society. Sociology, the study of human societies, is a key component of this realm, and helps us to understand and appreciate the differences between us while encouraging us to see and celebrate the universal connections that make us human. To show my mastery in this realm, I have selected an exam on general sociological concepts and an ethnography, Kozol's Amazing Grace, for which I earned a 97%. Although I had done some volunteer work in economically depressed areas, I lacked the theoretical framework necessary for understanding the disadvantages of poverty, particularly when complicated by race, as the result of a variety of social factors, and not just a persistent condition without remedy. This class showed me that poverty is an understandable process that can be combated through personal initiative and social planning. I was particularly touched by the struggles that poverty causes for young learners. When the environment of a school is so challenged by lack of funds and support that even those students with a desperate wish to learn find themselves handicapped, then there is something seriously wrong with our society. I believe teachers, no matter where they are employed, are responsible for fighting poverty and prejudice in the world by teaching their students through their lessons and personal modeling to be compassionate citizens of the world. My learning in the humanistic realm has inspired me to activate change in the world through teaching.
To view the document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To continue to the following page, please click on the 'next' or 'prev' tag affixed to the right and left of the image. Alternately, some browsers will allow you to click on the image itself to move forward. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag at the bottom right of the item shown.
EMPIRIC REALM
Indicator
The empiric realm examines the relationship between people and their physical environment. Students study earth science, biology, chemistry, or physics.
Empiric Classes
- Search for Solutions -- A
- Earth Science: Changing Planet -- B+
- Life & Inquiry -- B+
Artifacts for General Studies: Empiric Realm
Name of Artifact: Earth Science Class Notes
Date: July 2000
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Reflective Statement
As an example of my understanding of the empiric realm, I have included my class notes on Pangea from an earth science class I took in the summer of 2000. Ever since I was little, I loved the idea of Pangea, the single land mass of our connected continents that may have existed in the prehistoric world. It's an image that I think provides an excellent metaphor for the world today -- that no matter how different or divided we may seem, we must remember that we all come from a common source. The empiric realm is rife with metaphors that help us to understand our world and our places in it, from the biological systems of the body to the motivational forces of physics. Such metaphors have helped me to make sense of the world, both in my lived life and the experiences I've gained through books, and I hope to use these metaphors in helping my students to deepen their understanding of their own lives and literary experiences.
To view the document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To continue to the following page, please click on the 'next' or 'prev' tag affixed to the right and left of the image. Alternately, some browsers will allow you to click on the image itself to move forward. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag at the bottom right of the item shown.
SYNOPTIC REALM
Indicator
The synoptic realm presents an overall definition of the meaning of life. Through the study of theology and philosophy, students reflect on their own identity, their purpose in life, and their relationship with God.
Synoptic Classes
- Search for Meaning -- A
- Women & Religion -- A
- Knowledge & Reality: Truth -- A
- Actions & Values: Ethics -- A
- Old Testament -- A
- Introduction to Christian Theology -- A
- Actions & Values: Society -- B+
- Studies in Philosophy & Literature -- A
- Philosophical Perspectives on Women -- B+
- Foundations of Education: History & Philosophy -- A
Artifacts for General Studies: Synoptic Realm
Name of Artifact: Journal Entry, Ritual & Meaning
Date: February 2000
Institution: Loyola University Chicago
Reflective Statement
I grew up in a largely atheist household, which is why so many people were surprised that I chose theology as one of my minors. But I have always been oddly attracted to religion, or any system of belief, that claims to have the secrets to a happy, meaningful life. In all my studies, I have felt that secret drawing nearer, although I've yet to uncover it. The synoptic realm is about discovering a personal philosophy by which to live, basically creating a roadmap to our own idea of a meaningful life. To show my understanding of this realm's contribution to my studies, I have included a copy of a graded journal entry I did for a class on the Old Testament. It is a rough piece of work, but I love the message, which is that involvement in a community with shared practices makes a person a little bit immortal. I like to think of teaching, which involves a cyclical cycle of repeating events, as a ritual shared among the whole community of educators, all of whom find meaning in guiding their learners towards a greater understanding of life.
To view the document, please click on the 'more' link below, which will bring up the item referenced. To continue to the following page, please click on the 'next' or 'prev' tag affixed to the right and left of the image. Alternately, some browsers will allow you to click on the image itself to move forward. To return to this page, simply click outside the border of the document, or on the close tag at the bottom right of the item shown.
Continue On To Subject Specialty: English . . .