University of Florida I Believe in a Better Life Essay

Solving problems with an interdisciplinary approach typically requires using information imbedded in a range of perspectives. In the process of understanding how knowledge is personally, culturally, and disciplinarily constructed, we must understand what we believe. Identifying exactly what we believe, particularly in the contemporary political and social climate we live in, can be a vulnerable endeavor. Yet making our convictions known can help spawn social movements and drive successful change.

In this final culminating assignment, you will articulate your chosen “This I Believe” position (selected earlier in the semester and used throughout the mini-writes in this course) in a way that accounts for domain-specific considerations. Need some inspiration? Check out NPR’s This I Believe podcast (Links to an external site.) to get inspired about sharing your belief for the world.

In this 5-6 page paper, you will articulate your chosen belief, identify why it is so significant to you, and describe that belief in a multi-dimensional way through the lenses of the major disciplinary domains that we have explored this semester. Your job is to tell us what each of the disciplines or perspectives have to say about your topic or how seeing your position through those lenses provides different layers of inference. As you explore your topic through these lenses, you are expected to identify biases inherent to your own thinking and the lens. You will then revise your belief (or how it is framed) to account for biases, assumptions, or alternative ways of seeing the issue that emerged when applying these disciplinary perspectives. Our end goal is to see your belief in a multidimensional way. You should emerge from this assignment with a clear understanding of how your belief would likely be seen by a variety of others who have not lived the same experiences as you.

You are expected to use 12-point, Times New Roman font and your final document should be double spaced. The preferred citation format for this course is APA; however, your instructor may give you other options or requirements for preferred citation method.

Required elements:

• Articulate a personal ethos/define your belief
• Identify inherent biases in your perspective and belief
• Identify multiple disciplinary perspectives and the way they enhance understanding of your belief
• Articulate key variables of major disciplinary domains as they apply to your belief
• Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of your belief through the application of multiple disciplinary lenses

For those that are more process-driven, the following structure is recommended:

• In 1-1.5 pages, clearly articulate your belief, identifying its development and how it has become such a significant part of your personal or professional philosophy
• In .5-1 page, identify the role that this belief plays in your chosen degree program and/or future profession
• In 1 page each (for approximately 5 pages total), identify how each disciplinary domain(Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Social Sciences; Humanities & Arts; Business & Communication; Health Professions) “see” or understand this belief. Be sure to explain the key variables that define these disciplinary perspectives, particularly as they relate to your chosen belief.
• In 1-1.5 pages, synthesize your findings, identifying the strengths and weaknesses of your “This I Believe” statement in light of the disciplinary domains. Be sure to identify assumptions, biases, alternatives, and implications of your statement.
• In .5-1 page, revise your statement to account for any biases or limitations.
• My believe is “I believe in a better life”