Portland State University - Essay Example

Task: Reflective Essay Portland (PSU) has always been outstanding in terms of developing who are able to apply interdisciplinary learning in addressing real issues of the world. Capstone course has been instrumental in enabling PSU gain international recognition through the enhancement of lives of PSU students. The four goals of Capstone course that have been influential towards producing socially responsible students are Communication, Inquiry and Critical Thinking, Ethical and Social Responsibility and lastly, the Appreciation of Human Diversity.

The experience that I gained during the study of Capstone course has been so helpful in my life (Portland State University 2). As mentioned above, the goal of the course was to enable students develop proper inquiry and critical thinking abilities. During the study, I was given assignments of reading a number of books then submit short write-ups that linked the material covered in the book and current events. After doing a number of these assignments, I was able to gain mastery in relating strategic management concepts, theory and frameworks to the current events.

In addition, I developed skills or ability of understanding implications and results of the current events in business practice. Capstone Course also entailed class discussions that involved the division of the course students into groups. Critical thinking as well as inquiry was essential in contributing during discussions. The instructors who were in charge of evaluating student contributions during discussions carried out their grading based on levels of critical thinking displayed by various students in the discussions (Portland State University 3).

Consequently, I had no other choice but develop inquiry and critical thinking abilities that have helped me in identifying opportunities or problems in the community with the aim of coming up with solutions. Another outstanding feature of the course is the involvement of guest speakers who had talks on various topics such as strategies of business firms. The evaluation on these talks was centered at ensuring that students apply their critical thinking skills in their studies. Apart from developing inquiry and critical thinking abilities, Capstone course also equipped me with communication skills.

The main communication skills that I acquired include telephone skills, presentation skills, body language and listening skills. I developed these communication skills through a number of activities that were involved in the study. One of the activities that helped me gain communication skills is the Client Project where I was in charge of the group that was assigned this task (Portland State University 5). The task of the project was to carry out research on a particular client in terms of his or her business activities after which I was to present research findings to the rest of the class members.

In order to gather information from the client, it was mandatory to display high levels of persuasion and negotiation skills. Since grading was based on proper explanation of the research findings, adopting a logical structure or order during presentation and responding to questions, I had no other choice but to develop proper skills in communication. Moreover, some of the class assignments of Capstone course were done in groups which enhanced interaction among various students of different origins.

I was able to learn a few things regarding communication from the rest of the group members. In addition, class presentations involved the use of PPT slides that contained only major points of the assigned subject for instance, factors that influence environmental opportunities as well as threats in various business firms. Consequently, presentation skills were acquired through these class presentations. Human diversity refers to the differences in religion, ethnic, class, gender and culture among different people in the community.

To begin with, the Capstone course consisted of students who came from different backgrounds in terms of class, race, and religion. During the study of Capstone course, I interacted with all of the classmates through group assignments or presentations. The experience has been helped me interacting with people of different origins, race as well as gender in the community. Capstone course also involved assignments on the analysis of business models and the identification of ethical values in various firms.

For instance, an assignment on Better World Books (BWB) entailed analysis of its mission statement, and formulating conclusion as to whether the firm employed any form of ethics in its mission (Portland State University 6). Another feature of Capstone course is that most of the assignments were inclined towards creating awareness to students in terms of the existing ethical issues in various firms or business organizations. For instance, I was given a task of analyzing Whole Foods in terms of the value that it has created to the society.

Through the analysis, I realized that any firm that has its operations inclined in the direction of providing social values is likely to have huge returns in terms of profits. This is deduced from the Whole Foods that has its organizational strategies and processes directed towards adding value to the society (Portland State University 7). Another assignment that enlightened me on the diversity of human experience was on the analysis of fatal flaws in Israel because of Starbucks strategy. Through these assignments, I have been able to construct independent evaluations and meaning of human experience that has been crucial in making life choices.

The course has allowed me to develop clear understanding of the implications or consequences of life decision that I make (Portland State University 5). Ethical and social responsibility is one of the major goals of Capstone course. Prior to covering this subject, every student in Capstone class was required to research on this subject that was essential in developing proper understanding of ethics and social responsibility (Portland State University 8). As my instructor assigned me the task of finding out the role of strategic alliances in success of BWB, I realized that ethical and social responsibility in vital for any firm or organization that wants to expand its operations.

Through social responsibility, BWB has progressed due to high number of customers (Portland State University 9). Capstone course has empowered me with multiple views concerning ethical issues as well as the courage or confidence of questioning some ethical subjects taught in various institutions. My experience at PSU concerning Capstone course has been remarkable I developed communication skills such as listening, body language and negotiation skills. Apart from communication skills, I gained abilities in inquiry and critical thinking.

My understanding of ethical and social responsibility was enhanced during the study of Capstone course. I can proudly say that I appreciate human diversity in the community. Work Cited Portland State University. University Studies Senior Capstone, Business Strategy: School of Business Administration. Web. May 26, 2013 http://capstone.unst.pdx.edu/sites/default/files/Appleyard_Cap_Syllabus_Business_Strategy_Spring_2012.pdf