Capstone

5.2 Assignment: Capstone Completion/Comprehensive Report

Getting Started

You have your Synthesis Paper and now you are in the final stages of completing your Capstone Project. There is much to rejoice about and look forward to as you come to the end of implementing the major projects in this course.

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Review the final details of your Capstone Project.

Background Information

You should be well on your way to completing your Capstone Project. As you wrap up the final pieces, begin to reflect on the project as a whole in light of the entire MA program and your long-term goals. This assignment will help you evaluate the success of the project and what you would like to do with it moving forward. 

Instructions

1. Open the Comprehensive Report Outline and the Word document that you started and added to in Workshops Three and Four.  

2. Complete your responses to section  4: Capstone Project (3 pages) as you reflect on and write about your project’s impact. 

4.2 Discussion: Capstone Project Implementation

Getting Started

By now, you should be fully engaged or even done with the implementation of your Capstone Project. As you are implementing your project, you will also want to take time to take a step back and reflect on what you are learning. Be sure to breathe a deep breath and thank God again for where you’ve come from in your life and with the project.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Implement your Capstone Project. 

Background Information

You are in the midst of, hopefully, the final stages of implementing your Capstone Project. In this assignment, you will reflect on what you are gleaning from the execution of your plans and where you are in the process of completing the final details.

Instructions

1. Begin to wrap up your Capstone Project.

2. Update the rest of the students about where you are in the final stages of the implementation process. Share another highlight and a challenge or obstacle you are facing.  

3. Write 3-4 paragraphs that share the details of your week with others in the class by the fourth day of the workshop. 

6.3 Assignment: Comprehensive Report

Getting Started

You have completed your major projects for this course: the Good Life Synthesis Paper and the last of the Capstone Project, all of which you have been working on in some form or another since the beginning of this program. Now, it is time to put the finishing touches on your Comprehensive Report, most of which you have already written in previous workshops. 

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Complete a final program review.   

· Develop Comprehensive Reports.

Background Information

In this assignment, you will focus on completing the remaining portion of your Comprehensive Report, which you have been working on throughout this course. 

Instructions

1. Open the Comprehensive Report Outline and the Word document that you started and added to in Workshops Three, Four, and Five.

2. Complete your responses to sections  5: Odyssey Plans (1-2 pages) and  6: Conclusion (1 page).  Also, update your reference page and review the entire document to make sure it is scholarly ( No first person writing) in format, each section is complete and your grammar and spelling are proofread.    

4.3 Assignment: The Good Life Synthesis Final Paper

Getting Started

Throughout the MA in Psychology program, you have created and sustained three journal themes: Personal Reflection Journal; TED-style Talk Journal; and the Capstone Project Journal. You have studied the emerging field of positive psychology and its impact on your chosen specialization. In previous workshops in this course, you have reflected on your experiences, your journals, and concepts related to the Good Life, positive psychology research, and your own faith journey.    

In this assignment, you will put the finishing touches on your synthesis paper as you continue to reflect on what the Good Life means to you and submit your final paper. 

Upon successful completion of this assignment, you will be able to:

· Synthesize core aspects of what the Good Life means to you.

Background Information

You have come a long way in your understanding of the field of positive psychology, the nature of the Good Life, and how your faith is impacted by and impacts this evolving philosophy of life. In this assignment, you will review peer and faculty comments as you finalize your Good Life Synthesis paper.

Instructions

1. Open your Good Life Synthesis Paper draft that you completed in Workshop Two.    

2. Review relevant comments from your peers and instructor.  

3. In a final six to eight-page paper, refine your paper based on comments received.  Be sure to address each section from the original  Good Life Synthesis Paper Outline (Word document) .   

4. Highlight in yellow the sections that you added to or revised based on peer/instructor comments and/or your own additional consideration.    

5. Provide a title page, an introduction, four to five pages of content with at least 10 in-text citations, a conclusion to your paper and a reference page.  

6.2 Discussion: Final Program Reflection

Getting Started

In this final discussion forum for the program, take time to reflect on and celebrate with your classmates.   

Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. (New International Version, 1978/2011,  Philippians 4:8-9 (new tab) ) 

In this assignment, you will revisit and complete a positive psychology intervention called “Three Good Things.” This intervention is a way to put into practice Philippians 4:8-9 and to honor the journey you have been on with one another these past fifteen months.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Practice biblical principles found in Philippians 4:8-9. 

· Complete the Three Good Things exercise. 

Background Information

The goal of this assignment is to assist you in 1) practicing the biblical admonition to be grateful in all things, and 2) applying the positive psychology intervention called “Three Good Things.” Both scripture and the concepts in positive psychology agree that being thankful helps us not only feel better but also strengthens our relationships with God and others.

Instructions

1. Review the  Three Good Things (new tab)  exercise. Select the link https://ggia.berkeley.edu/practice/three-good-things and read through the “How to Do It” and “Why to Try It” tabs half-way down the webpage.  

2. For this assignment, you will complete a variation of this exercise as it applies to your experience while you were in MA in Psychology program. You will write about three things that went well for you during the past 15 months of the program, and provide an explanation for why they went well for you.   

3. Typically, the items can be relatively small in importance, but for this exercise, you want to include more significant milestones on which to reflect. 

4. Follow instructions 1-6 from the article for three separate events.  

4.1 Discussion: Led by Love

Getting Started

You have been following my journey in the documentary, Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy. This week, you will reflect on another portion of the film and what it means to be led by love. Consider your own journey, your spiritual practices, and what it means to let love guide you in every aspect of your life.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Integrate biblical principles with positive psychology concepts.

Background Information

“Let love be your guide” ( Contemporary English Version, 1995,  Ephesians 5:2 (new tab) ). 

Almost halfway through my quest to get my life back, I traveled back to Cincinnati to be with family and friends for the month of December and the holidays. I was also inspired by the verse above from Ephesians to ‘let love guide me.’  

In this week’s documentary clip, you will see where love led me as I woke up every morning and I asked God and myself the question, “What would love to do today?” You will also be challenged to think about where life might lead you if you take time to be led by love.

Instructions

1. Take a few notes as you watch and listen to Youtube

(Start at 33.46 stop at 47:02) this week’s segment 7 from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy:

2. Reflect on the verse and the above clip as you consider what “being led by love” means.   

3. Formulate your reflections and thoughts into a discussion post that includes the following in two paragraphs (200 words). 

a. Summarize key points from the documentary for this week. 

b. Take a moment to pray and simply ask these questions to God and yourself, “What would love do today?” “How would life be different if I would allow my life to be led by love on a regular basis?” and “What can we learn from Jesus’ example of letting love guide him?”  

c. Describe in a paragraph what came to mind.  

4. Your initial post is due by the end of the fourth day of the workshop. 

5. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts, as well as all instructor follow-up questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop. 

6. Your postings should also: 

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking. 

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas. 

c. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and insight into the discussion. 

5.1 Discussion: 12 Months to Live

Getting Started

“Beauty will save the world.” ― Fyodor Dostoyevsky, The Idiot

In this week’s clip from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy, you will follow my journey to Costa Rica and the pursuit of beauty. During my year-long project, my quest to get my laugh back and clarify my calling, I thought, researched, and read about how people find direction in life. I was mindful and attentive to quotes, people, and everyday circumstances, the breadcrumbs in life.

One of the quotes that crossed my path was on the wall of my health center: “Beauty will save the world.” This intrigued me and even guided me as I started to ponder how beauty can save us, heal us, and guide us. So, I thought about the most beautiful things I could think of and the first image that came to mind was a flock of butterflies - monarchs - floating in harmony with the wind. One of the resources I found was titled, The Butterfly Hunter. In it, the author reported on unique career choices. His vocation involved studying butterflies in Costa Rica. After contacting him, I arranged for a visit to his sanctuary in Central America, where my documentary picks up.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Integrate biblical principles with positive psychology concepts.

Background Information

"Then God looked over all he had made, and he saw that it was very good! And evening passed and morning came, marking the sixth day" ( New Living Translation, 1996/2015,  Genesis 1:31 (new tab) ).

"For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago" ( New Living Translation, 1996/2015,  Ephesians 2:10 (new tab) ).

According to passages like this from Genesis and Ephesians, we know that God creates works of art, masterpieces, things of beauty that He steps back from and declares as 'good.'

Created in God's image, I also want to create and leave something beautiful behind. I also appreciate working and enjoying the fruit of my labor. But the month of my journey to Costa Rica was also about pursuing beauty and exploring how that pursuit can guide, heal, and change us, as Dostoyevsky's quote suggests.

As you watch this week's clips, consider how beauty impacts you.

Instructions

1. Take a few notes as you watch and listen to Youtube

(Start at 46:32 stop at 51:45) this week’s segment 8 from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy:

(Start at 1:04:26 stop at 1:08:54) this week’s segment 12 from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy:

1. Reflect on the quotes, verses, the clips, and how beauty ‘saves’ us.

2. Formulate your reflections and thoughts into a discussion post that includes the following in three paragraphs (250 words).

a. Summarize key points from the documentary for this week.

b. Reflect on the verses above as you respond to the following questions: What are the ‘good things’ God has created us anew in Christ to do? What does beauty, craftsmanship, and enjoying our efforts and accomplishments like God did after creating the world have to do with your Capstone Project, TED-Style Talk and/or your life goals and vocation?

3. Your postings should also:

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking.

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas.

c. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and insight into the discussion.

6.1 Discussion: 12 Months to Live

Getting Started

You have been following my journey in the documentary,  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy. For this last workshop in the course and program, you will reflect on another final portion of the film and the conclusion of my 12 Months to Live Project. As you bring your own Capstone Project, and this program to an end, you will have time to celebrate and appreciate all that you have accomplished along with your epic, heroic journey so far.

Upon successful completion of this discussion, you will be able to:

· Integrate biblical principles with positive psychology concepts.

Background Information

You go before me and follow me.      You place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,      too great for me to understand! 

I can never escape from your Spirit!      I can never get away from your presence!  If I go up to heaven, you are there;      if I go down to the grave, you are there.  If I ride the wings of the morning,      if I dwell by the farthest oceans,  even there your hand will guide me,      and your strength will support me.  I could ask the darkness to hide me      and the light around me to become night—       but even in darkness, I cannot hide from you.  To you, the night shines as bright as day.      Darkness and light are the same to you. ( New Living Translation, 1996/2015,  Psalm 139:5-12 (new tab) )  

At the end of my journey, my quest to get my laugh back, I took time to consider all that had happened. I reconnected once again with old friends and mentors and contemplated my accomplishments. I honored all the goodness in people, celebrated the great distance I had traveled, and marked the memories I collected. I also realized, as I glanced back on my year, that the hand of God had guided me; he was actively watching over me, protecting and leading me as Psalm 139 states,  

"You go before me and follow me.      You place your hand of blessing on my head.  Such knowledge is too wonderful for me,      too great for me to understand!" ( New Living Translation, 1996/2015, Psalm 139:5-6)

In this week’s documentary clip, you will see how my journey ended.  Look for parallels and differences to the conclusion of your own quest for joy, purpose, and meaning as you finish this program and your projects.

Instructions

1. As you watch and listen to this week’s segment from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest, for Joy, take a few notes: Take a few notes as you watch and listen to Youtube

(Start at 1:08:59 stop at 1:11:12) this week’s segment 13 from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy:

(Start at 1:11:20 stop at 1:17:10) this week’s segment 14 from  Dr. Dave and the Girl Who Couldn’t Laugh: A Breadcrumb Quest for Joy:

1. Reflect on the verses and the above clip as you look back over your own journey this past year.   

2. Formulate reflections and thoughts into a discussion post that includes the following in two paragraphs (200 words): 

a. Summarize key points from the documentary for this week. 

b. Write about one major aspect or point of the program and your project that you sensed God’s presence or leading. Consider how even the darkness may have been a part of God’s plan.   

c. Take a moment to write a prayer of thanksgiving and celebration for all that you have accomplished in this program, for God’s hand of guidance, protection and grace.   

3. Your initial post is due by the end of the fourth day of the workshop. 

4. Read and respond to at least two of your classmates’ posts, as well as all instructor follow-up questions directed to you, by the end of the workshop. 

5. Your postings should also: 

a. Be well developed by providing clear answers with evidence of critical thinking. 

b. Add greater depth to the discussion by introducing new ideas. 

c. Provide clarification to classmates’ questions and insight into the discussion.