​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

​

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

PORTFOLIO

Throughout the semester, compile a digital portfolio to document your experiences. This portfolio is due Monday, December 4th no later than 6pm. Turn in your portfolio via Blackboard. This assignment is worth 30% of your course grade. Your portfolios should represent something that you will be proud to look back on as a story of your first semester as an Honors student. You have freedom to put your own creative flair on your portfolio’s style, but all portfolios must include activity reports with the following basic info:

Activity Reports:   
A reflection should be written shortly after the completion of each activity. Each of these reports should be approximately 500 words long and reflect meaningful thought about the activity. Each report will be evaluated on the following criteria: 

 

  1.)  A clear description/explanation about the nature of the activity:  What, when, where, and with whom.

            -A sentence or two 

 

  2.)  A justification of the activity chosen:  Explain why you chose this event and how this activity

         represents a meaningful choice both for you personally and for the goals of the category.    

            -A paragraph

 

  3.)  A detailed description of your actual experience with the activity:  Describe your experience/perspective of what happened from when you made your decision to do the activity until after it was completed, and you had a chance to reflect on it.

            - One long or multiple short paragraphs

 

  4.) A reflection on what this experience means to you:  Explain what you gained or learned from

       completing this activity.  The reflection can include any lessons or impact but do remember to make

       some connection back to the category and the reasons for choosing this activity in the first place.  

            -A paragraph

 

  5.) Visual documentation or evidence of your activity:  This “proof” may include, but is not limited to scanned

        photos, printed programs, advertisements, signed note from person leading activity, etc..  Quality

        documentation is required for full credit and makes for a much better portfolio for you to look

        back on in years to come. Plan ahead carefully!    

​

EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR REPORTS:  

​

• Was the activity approved and is justification clearly provided for why the activity is appropriate for the individual student? 

 

• Is the report complete with adequate details in each section? 

 

• Is there evidence of effort and critical thought in the reflection and completion of the report itself?

​

• Has documentation been provided  for activity? ​

 

 

Additional Project and Evaluation Notes

​

College level writing is an automatic expectation.  Credit may be lost within each section if grammar and spelling errors detract from the review.  Because of the nature of the project, reports and reflections should be written from a first person perspective – the use of “I” is expected.  

 

All activities must be approved by TA’s in advance.  Students are required to obtain final approval for the proposed activity in writing via email or in person at least 24 hours prior to the activity.  In no case can approval from a TA be given after a student has attended/completed the event or less than 24 hours before an event.

 

 

PDP Categories and Activities

 

Students are required to complete ten PDP activities, with two activities in each of the five categories. Category descriptions and sample activities for each area are listed below. The possibilities are not limited to these activities, but these lists should offer some guidance for your exploration and decisions.   

 

This website will be updated on a regular basis, so please check often for new events.  Students should also consult campus event calendars, CMLife, social media, bulletin boards, etc. for campus events and happenings.  Remember that any one activity could fit into different categories dependent on your personal meaning and rationale.  

 

Healthy - Legal - Safe

 

Although the activity choices are designed to encourage students to stretch in meaningful

ways, HON 100 does NOT permit any activity that could be construed to be illegal,

unhealthy, or unsafe to count for the PDP.  

In any case where there is any question or judgment to be made, students should discuss

the activity with their TA or course instructor in advance.

​

​

​

Category Descriptions and Examples

​

 

Embracing Intellectual Growth: The Academic and Creative Life of the University

Get involved in the intellectual and creative life of the University.  

​

Intellectual Activity Examples:

• Attend an academic presentation or academic campus speaker

• Meet with a professor to discuss intellectual ideas

• Tour a campus academic facility

• Attend an academic conference

• Join a research lab

• Join an academic student group

• Read and become familiar with the academic journals in your discipline

• Attend an Honors Faculty Chat that explores an academic or intellectual issue

 

Creative Event Examples:

• Attend a CMU theater, music, or dance event

• Attend a CMU Art Exhibit or Reception

• Attend a CMU Faculty Reading

• Attend an Honors Faculty Chat on the creative and artistic life of the university

• Join a fine arts student organization or performance group

• Sign up for art, music, dance, or photography lessons

​

Explore events in this category here

​

​

Engaging with Diverse Ideas and People in a Global Society

Participate in activities that introduce you to the people and ideas of cultures, religions, and social groups different from your own.

​

Campus Event Examples:

• Attend a campus speaker whose topic addresses diversity/inclusion

• Attend an Honors Faculty chat that addresses diversity/inclusion

• Attend an event during Hispanic Heritage Month or Native American Heritage Month

• Tour the Ziibiwing Native American Cultural Center or attend a local PowWow

• Attend a Conversations that Matter event

• Attend a Deaf Awareness Week event

• Attend Study Abroad Night and follow-up with a study abroad advisor

• Attend an LGBTQ+ event or a National Coming Out Day event

• Join an Honors Program Book Discussion on a book about racism and inequality or other diversity topic

• Attend an Honors Sponsored Movie & Discussion Night on a film that addresses diversity

• Attend an event for Persons with Disabilities

 

Self-Directed Examples:

• Volunteer as a conversation partner for an international student

• Attend a religious service of a faith different than your own

• Participate in a campus diversity training

• Attend a rally or protest that supports diversity and inclusion to increase your knowledge of social justice issues

• Extend a genuine lunch invitation to a student from a different background than you in an effort to get to know them better

• Enroll in a self-guided online curriculum on diversity

• Become a Sexual Aggression Peer Advocate (SAPA)

• Attend ally training

• Join a student group that addresses diversity/inequality

​

Explore events in this category here

​

​

​

​