What is the Kirkpatrick Signature Series and Why am I Here?

The Kirkpatrick Signature Series is a cluster course that is designed to give students a perspective on the American way of life. I believe it will attempt to show how our values, morals, and belief systems have helped to shape America as we know it today and how they will affect it into the future. I'm taking this class first and foremost, because it's a requirement of Bellevue University and I need it to graduate, but more importantly, because I think that it's important to know our history and how we got to where we are today. I believe the university has put this series into place for much of the same reason, but also to give us an understanding of the Western way of life and to help guide us down the path of success in our future endeavors.

I must say that so far I've had mixed emotions about the class and we're technically not even started with the first week. If I'm being honest, I would say that I felt excited at first. I didn't really have an idea of what the Signature Series was all about until two days ago. Once I read through the course content and got some idea of the work we would be doing, I felt a little angry. I was angry not because I despise doing work, but I noticed that we have to prepare a Capstone project and I just got done doing a Capstone project for my major. I guess I had the impression that I would only be doing one. However, after completing the reading assignments for the week I felt a little surprised. I was surprised at how interesting I found the stories to be and I can take solace in the fact that at least the project will hopefully be able to hold my attention. I'm not going to lie, the topic for my last Capstone was pretty boring.

As I previously stated, the reading was very captivating. There are many different views that are presented by some pretty respected minds. I'm not the one to say who is right and who is wrong. I see valid points in all of their views, but I also consider some aspects a little strange. I guess I try to find a good balance with everything that I do, whether it be in my personal life or in my professional life. As easy as that sounds, that isn't always the case and many times I believe circumstances dictate how react to something or how we handle a situation. I'm sure I've been guilty of saying one thing and doing the complete opposite and that's fine. As some of the reading stated, humans are imperfect.

I hope that is one thing that I can contribute to the class, humans are imperfect. I know I'm not perfect and I'm sure that many of the views I hold will be met with criticism and that's fine with me. I welcome it and I expect it and I hope I can learn from it. I don't mind taking criticism, but I'm not very good at giving it. If there's one thing that I've learned about the online format, it's that some people don't hold back on their feelings toward a particular topic and it makes for some interesting debate. When this course is over, I hope that I will have helped to make for some interesting conversation. I can't say that it will be better because I'm in it. I think each one of us will make a contribution in making this a better course and that's what's important. Best of luck to everyone!

Josh