The following list includes the crucial skills that I have obtained through both academic and extracurricular activities, along with the courses and activities that correspond to them. Many of these courses and activities contributed to my development of these skills in interconnecting ways.
Critical and analytical thinking:
- World History to 1500 –
(https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/current/catalog/courses/his-history/100/his-121/)
This course zooms out on history from the formation of our planet until the 1500s. We focused on looking at historical events from various, objective perspectives, typically focusing on parts of history that are often overlooked, including ancient civilizations, religion, and culture.
- World Literature since 1650 –
(https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/current/catalog/courses/eng-english/200/copy-of-eng-225/)
This course looked at a variety of literature produced from 1650 onward, including short stories, poetry, and plays. We examined the historical contexts behind the material, discussing what they can teach us about not just the works of literature but the culture surrounding them.
Creative thinking:
- Intro to the Humanities –
(https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/current/catalog/courses/hum-humanities/100/hum-121/)
This course explores various disciplines within the humanities, specifically art, literature, and film. We looked at each of these mediums in terms of how they can be used to express aspects of the human condition, along with the technical aspects that convey these messages.
- Yearbook committee –
As a part of my senior year as an early college student in the POP program, I participated in our yearbook committee, which consisted of one of my peers and me. We were in charge of designing, organizing, and planning all aspects of the yearbook. My main contributions included page design, photo and asset organization, and collecting information from fellow students.
Written and oral communication:
- Composition 101 –
This course was taken during my senior year as a dual enrollment class, counting for both high school and college credit. Emphasis was placed on effective writing skills in multiple genres and forms such as literary criticism, argumentative, and research-based papers. We learned how to research, write, and present information effectively and critically.
- Oral History Center internship –
During the Spring 2024 semester, I participated in an internship facilitated by BCC with the Housatonic Oral History Center. I worked with the center’s director to plan and conduct an oral history interview, including researching and writing questions, learning about recording techniques, transcription, and organization processes for oral history material.
Information literacy:
- Honors Sociology: Knowledge in the Internet Age –
(https://berkshirecc.smartcatalogiq.com/current/catalog/courses/hon-honors/200/hon-298j/)
This course looks at the current state of knowledge sharing and production through the lens of the Internet. In it, we explored the sociology of knowledge, and what people believe about how we consume information in relation to the internet. We also explore the rise of AI and how the spread of misinformation affects public opinion on topics.