Reflection Assignment
Reflection papers are meant to give you the opportunity to reflect on your own personal reactions to the course content, and for you to consider how your own experiences, past learnings, attitudes, values, and beliefs may have shaped your reaction to the content. As we move through the world and are exposed to new ideas, we are often presented with opportunities to shift our perspective or hold firm – it is important, though, that we recognize what is influencing our path either way. This helps us identify our own biases and opportunities to learn more. When done thoroughly, the process of reflecting often leads us to new insights we had not yet considered.
As you work through the course content, a specific topic might ‘stick’ with you longer than others. It might make you pause, think about things/interactions/conversations you have had in the past (or observed in the past) and wonder how the content relates or makes you think about this instance differently now. Unpacking these ‘sticky’ learnings can lead to new insights and growth. This assignment allows you to explore those sticky moments! Ultimately, this assignment will help you: become conscious of connections between your life and the course content; keep a gauge on how the course is shaping your views, and; help you identify areas for future learning and action.
Instructions
You are being asked to write one (1) reflection paper (see specific instructions below). Your reflection should be no more than two pages of double-spaced text (either Arial or Times New Roman, font 12). Given the limited space, I recommend structuring the paper without headings and as follows:
Introduce the topic (one paragraph). This is your “What?”. It might make sense to start this section with a brief summary of the course content that stuck with you (using citations), or it might make sense to start with a brief story (and you can connect the course content to this story in the next section). Some questions you may want to consider (though, do not answer verbatim as you also want to format this like a paper that flows):
What stood out to you in the course?
What had you expected before engaging with the course material?
What was the same or different?
What reaction did you have?
What did you do about that reaction?
End this section with a clear thesis (topic) sentence. Something like, “In this paper, I am going to explore why xxxx topic stood out to me by specifically examining xx and xx”.
Unpack your topic (2-3 paragraphs). This is your “so what?”, or your “why does this matter?”. Why is the topic you have chosen important/significant? Some of you may be compelled to really focus on your personal experiences and why this content matters to you; others may feel less inclined to talk about the personal and instead you may want to focus on the academic or professional significance, or the power dynamics at play. Remember, while this course integrates research from a variety of sources, you are still learning about the content from a primarily Western perspective. Viewing this course through your own lens of experiences (e.g., your family of origin and those relationships you have witnessed/experienced, culture, race, religion, sexuality, other social locations, etc.), you may have experiences (professionally, or those you have observed, say, in the media) that can be compared and contrasted – and in doing so, you may be able to point to systems that shape the differing experiences. Some questions you may want to consider as you write and reflect:
Why does this topic matter to you?
What could have made this information new or surprising to you (reflect here on your past experiences/learnings and where they came from)?
Why did this information challenge you? Or, why is it still challenging you?
What consequences (positive/negative) are there to this learning? How does it make you think about the world differently?
What other perspectives are there?
What systems are at play? How does power/privilege come into play?
Who benefits from this knowledge? Who is harmed?
Consider next steps (one paragraph). Now that you have thoroughly examined the ‘sticky’ subject and why it matters, what will you do with this learning? This is your “now what” section. Tell me how you will apply your learning in a tangible way. Is there a personal measure you will take? Is there more to learn? How will you ensure this happens? Be specific and outline at least one attainable goal.
*Note: if you are using the UWaterloo guide/template, be sure to only discuss ONE theme. There is not enough room to thoroughly unpack more than that in this assignment.
Writing Specifications
No more than TWO (2) pages of double-spaced text (you will not be penalized if you are within three lines of this length).
Use Times New Roman or Arial, font size 12 and standard margins.
No title page required (you can include one if you want, and this will not impact your page limit).
Formal referencing is required (see the Citation guide included in LEARN).
When completed, save your work in a Word format (.doc or .docx) (you can download Word for free with your UWaterloo account).
In this paper, you are speaking to your learnings. Therefore, please be sure to write in first person and in the active tense.
Submit your work electronically through the “Reflection Paper” Dropbox tool. Do not leave the page until your assignment has successfully uploaded.
TurnItIn will be used for this assignment. Refer to course outline for more information about this tool.
Marking Expectations
This assessment is worth 14 marks and will be counted toward 10% of your final grade. This assessment will be graded using the marking rubric below. Note that the “Needs Improvement” section may range greatly based on what is submitted (i.e., from 0-59%).
Criteria
Outstanding
Very Good
Good
Satisfactory
Needs Improvement
Addresses the What, So What, and Now What
/2
Exceeds all requirements of the assignment and shows breadth and depth.
Addresses all aspects of the assignment and shows breadth and depth.
Addresses most of the aspects of the assignment. Some parts do not show depth and/or breadth.
One part of the assignment is missing, and others may not show depth/breadth.
More than one part of the assignment is missing. Insufficient depth/breadth provided.
Overall Quality of reflection
/10
Offers an exemplary response to questions and shows careful consideration of questions. Justification is based on research, concepts, and theories learned in the course. Insightful recognition of the complexities and implications of course material for one’s life.
Offers a strong response to questions and shows careful consideration of questions. Justification is based on research, concepts, and/or theories learned in the course. Considers some complexities and implications of course material for one’s life.
Grasps assessment’s purpose and expands on some claims with relevant examples and evidence of thoughtfulness. Justification is based on concepts learned in the course.
Makes some claims that relate to the course content. Overall, assignment demonstrates some level of awareness of the course material, but is descriptive about what happened (rather than providing a critical reflection/analysis).
Little or no insight shown; just summarizes information. Many claims unsupported or counter to the course material (without any clear rationale in evidence).
Format, Writing, and Citations
/2
Professional writing style. Varied sentence structure, sophisticated vocabulary and phrasing. Citations and references page follows APA formatting. Stayed within the page limits.
Contains one or two spelling errors or grammatical errors that do not impact the overall quality of the writing. Clear writing style. Citations and references page follows APA formatting (minor errors may be present). Stayed within the page limits.
Contains minor spelling or grammatical errors throughout. Overall, easy to follow the paper. Clear that student tried using APA styling for the citations and references page. May be over the page limit by a few more than 3 lines.
Contains spelling or grammatical errors throughout. Some issues with clarity. APA styling not followed. Page limit may or may not be followed.
Contains numerous spelling and/or grammatical errors. Concerns with clarity throughout. Page limit may or may not be followed. No citations used or formal referencing followed.