Gen S420

S 2020

Assignment #1: All About Me

(10 pts = Essay & Photo)

Assignment Description:

One of the powerful experiences of GS 420 is the sharing of life stories. By sharing your own story, you begin the journey of your own self-discovery and self-reflection. We cannot possibly begin to understand the disability experience of someone else unless we can examine our own experiences with life. Everyone’s story is unique, and yet, we all struggle with life’s challenges and we all care about issues that are meaningful to us. This experience of storytelling can bond us together in our diversity. To write and share your story is to grow in who you are and at the same time, gain a more profound understanding of the people who will share their stories with you in this course.

Requirements:

· 3-Page Essay, Microsoft Word format ONLY – (9 points)

Write a 3-page minimum, double spaced, 12 point font essay about the story of your life. The story of your life can include:

· Your family

· Your community

· Friends and acquaintances

· Extracurricular activities & hobbies

· Important events in your life

· Your major (and your minor if applicable)

· And how all these things made you who you are

We also want you to include:

· Previous disability-related experience

· How your culture views people with disabilities

· What you hope to learn from this course

Some of you will feel more comfortable with writing a timeline of your life so far, dividing your life into periods. Others may want to describe your life thematically, or perhaps allegorically. You get to choose how you share your story.

Your story is considered confidential and will not be shared with anyone other than the

instructors and teaching assistants (who assist with grading during the semester).

You are not required to include parts of your story that you are uncomfortable sharing.

However, sometimes sharing or exploring challenging areas of our life can be a step in

pressing through.

· Photo of yourself – (1 point) Include a photo of yourself that is current, identifiable, and appropriate. This picture should be inserted at the end of your summary. If you are not comfortable including a photo, you may choose a picture that reflects your interests/hobbies.