Paper details
What are the requirements for the “reflective learning essay”?
Your reflection on your learning is the most important part of your portfolio. This reflection should be a
newly composed essay that discusses what you have learned from the Geography Program regarding
Program Competencies #3 (Physical Systems) and #5 (Environment and Society).
Your essay must be at least 1,000 words in length (but not more than 1,500) and should do all of the
following:
Introduction: Comment directly on each artifact in the portfolio. Explain the original context in which you
wrote/created the artifact (including the course for which it was produced), and what you learned in general
from creating it.
Main Body: For EACH of the two Program Competencies (#3 and #5), discuss at least three (3) specific
examples from the artifacts in your Capstone portfolio that you think illustrate your ability to meet each of
them. Note that this means you discuss a total of at least six (6) different examples (at least 3 for each
Competency). Make specific and direct references to the content of your artifacts to support your
discussion. In addition, you must use each artifact at least once for your examples.
Program Competency #3: Physical Systems: Analyze and explain the characteristics and spatial
distribution of the earth’s ecosystems and the physical processes that shape their patterns.
Program Competency #5: Environment and Society: Analyze how human actions modify the physical
environment and how physical systems affect humans.
In addition, explain what you might revise or do differently in each artifact to make it better demonstrate
your ability now to fulfill Program Competencies #3 and #5. Be precise – provide clear, specific examples
and references to the maps and/or your written work to support your discussion of each artifact.
Conclusion: Tell us about your personal and intellectual growth through your time as a Geography major,
especially as it pertains to Program Competencies #3 and #5. Highlight a particular experience or
assignment that you found especially significant or transformative (Note: This does not have to be based
on one that you included as an artifact in this portfolio). Having spent time reflecting on your work, what
areas of Geography studies would you like to pursue further? What scholars, topics, concepts, theories,
skills, and/or methodologies most interest you now, and why?
Your reflective learning essay should be completed in a Microsoft Word document. If you do not have
access to this software, it must be submitted as either a PDF or in a format that is compatible with Microsoft
Word.
Your reflective essay should include any applicable citations and works cited used beyond your artifacts,
conforming to either APA or MLA format.