Madison Arbuckle-Burns

Integrative studies are metaphorically like an ice cream sundae. To better explain ice

cream represents the basic idea of knowledge it is the core of it all, it is what everything is placed

under, or in the idea of a sundae on top of. Then all the toppings of the sundae are all the various

disciplines, like English, history, etc. Just like a sundae every person have a unique idea of what

make a perfect sundae, just like for all interested in interdisciplinary all have an idea of what

disciplines they like best to make their very own perfect combination. To me it means being able

to make my own plan that fits my ideas and my future. It means getting the chance to explore all

areas of interest without having to change my degree a thousand times just to learn everything I

want to know. Its beneficial time wise and money wise for me, I have big dreams and big goals

and the more time I’m in college the less time I have to just live out my dreams. It is also

beneficial to me because I get to study everything I enjoy not just one thing. Also for me

growing up I have not really been good with decisions so this is allowing me to not stress about

making a decision and I get to graduate earlier than I expected. All around integrative studies is a

blessing and in my mind should be more advertised to all students.

My three area of concentration are business leadership, mass communication and exercise

sports science. I decided on these three for a few reasons, one these were the three that would

allow me to graduate fast, two I have always been invested in those areas since I was back in

middle school, and lastly these are the three I felt would most likely support my future career

path. On the subject of career path mine is actually that I want to open my nutrition club/gym

combination. So with this degree plan I see these three concentrations connecting together

greatly. With business leadership and mass communication I can be able to learn how to run a

business and how to communicate as a leader and to other people such as clients and customers.

Madison Arbuckle-Burns

Business leadership and exercise sports science connect because leadership is needed in anything

and everything and with the exercise sports science it will help me be a better coach for others

holding the leadership role needed. Exercise sports science and mass communication connect

because communication is needed in everything so therefore to work with clients that want

coaching I am going to need to be able to communicate with them. Then with all three of the

concentration together I will be able to run a successful business. I will take my communication

skills from my mass communication classes to help me advertise my business. I will take my

business leadership skills to run a team of workers properly and be a great leader. And lastly with

the exercise sports science I will be apply to apply my knowledge of such things as work outs,

how to be a coach and even some nutrition that I can tech my clients.

A complex problem I would love to study is child obesity. This problem is

complex because there is no one reason for why it is because therefore the solution will not be

easy to discover either. The problem needs to be analyzed, researched and even evaluated. Other

perspectives I would need to research would be areas such as nutrition to better understand what

is properly needed for a healthy diet and be able to research kids’ current diets. Another area

would maybe even be like child psychology to see if maybe something triggers eating habits in

certain kids. And lastly an area would be something on family studies to maybe see if something

that goes on in the family or household may even cause child obesity.

My future plans are to one day own my own gym/ nutrition club in Brownwood. And

then later on in my life I want to open up a place that is an after school program for children that

promotes a healthy, safe and fun active lifestyle. All my concentration connects to my future

Madison Arbuckle-Burns

almost perfectly. Business leadership allows me to be a business leader and even be a leader in

the community I am trying to help. Exercise sports science gives me the knowledge needed to

run a gym and later on the active after school program for kids to help keep people active and

healthy. Lastly mass communication will be used to help reach other throughout the community

through advertising and even public relations. After graduation I am hoping to have saved up

enough money to start the build out for my gym and go straight to doing that.

What is Integrative Studies? Grading Rubric

CriteriaPoints

PossiblePoints Earned

General

Paper adheres to APA formatting (title page, citations, references page, etc.). This rubric pasted at the end of the assignment.

15

Writing is clear with appropriate grammar, spelling, and punctuation. Headings are appropriately labeled

10

Definition (250 words)

Defines Integrative Studies in a personal way. Definition is clearly derived from course definition.

10

Student discusses how Integrative Studies is beneficial. 10

Education (500 words)

Discusses 3 areas of concentration and connections. Also discusses the specialized nature of degree program.

20

Complex Problem (250 words)

Identifies a complex problem and perspectives (outside 3 areas) that might be used to research problem.

20

Connection (250 words)

Madison Arbuckle-Burns

Discusses future plans/next steps. 15

Total 100

Instructor Comments: