For the “Program Learning Outcomes: Understanding the Arts,” I chose an artifact from my Writing and Inquiry course. In ENG-111, which was taken over the course of 16-weeks and online, I wrote an argumentative essay. In this artifact, the topic discussed was gentle parenting—specifically pro-embracing this style. Throughout this five-page essay, written in MLA format, I highlighted the elements of gentle parenting, as well as an emphasis on its effects. Furthermore, this paper considered other parenting styles but ultimately chose gentle parenting due to the overall nurture and guidance characteristics. While writing this essay over a two-week period, I found my research to be proficient in child behavior and discipline. With this, I was able to understand and explain the positive effects of proper communication, connection, and consistency in this parenting style for the growth of a child.
 

For my first goal, I decided to focus on cultural context. In order to be successful in arguing pro-gentle parenting, I must be able to look at different perspectives. So, in my essay, I researched other styles of parenting and the cultural aspects of it. For example, instead of only speaking about North America’s parenting, I touched on England, where the Prince and Princess of Wales have a “chat sofa” where their children can openly talk about their feelings. By examining another country’s parenting style, I was proficient in the analysis of the humanities side of cultural movements.

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For the second goal, I chose to focus on the humanities part, specifically human behavior. This whole essay was vital in its emphasis on both parent and child behavior. For a child to grow into an independent and confident individual, it is important that parents are there to guide. As discussed in the essay, nurturing children in the style of gentle parenting can look like small increments of discipline and frequent communication on emotions. While the course ENG-111 emphasized writing and inquiry, I believe that it led me to developing the necessary skills to
understanding the topic at hand.