Module 3 Discussion 1
Think about the following:

How will taking diversity-related courses/exams at Excelsior College broaden my perspective?
Read: Humanity, Diversity and The Liberal Arts, Chapter 2, Diversity, pgs 33-70. Now complete the following:
Complete exercise 2.1 on page 69 using Excelsior College courses and exams.

Now that you have read about Diversity and its relationship to the Liberal Arts, think about how your perspective can be broadened by the courses/exams you choose to take for your degree.

For this discussion, list three Excelsior College courses or exams that you would like to take that will add diversity to your college experience. Post this list and explain why you believe these courses will broaded your perspective on diversity and add to your lifelong skills in two paragraphs or more.

Introduction to Psychology
Introduction to Sociology
Introduction to Philosophy

I believe the listed above courses cover a broad range of topics directly related to diversity. Psychology studies personality and perceptual mechanisms that influence behavior. Sociology provides an understanding of human social interaction, social groups, social structures, culture, and social inequality. With philosophy, areas such as morality, free will, and the meaning of life are explored.

Interaction with other groups will occur throughout life whether it be a job, school, neighbors, social events, asking for directions. A strong and diverse knowledge has always been important to understand why someone may hold a specific view on a topic or to engage a conversation with someone you may not have otherwise socialized with. Since learning is continuous, it is always best to have a foundation of understanding that can help break through the inevitable communication barriers in the future.

Module 3 Discussion 2
Preparation:
Think about the following:

What are the current issues with student financial aid?
What can Congress do to help?
Read: Issues for Debate in Sociology, Read Chapter 10, Student Aid, pgs 221-244.

Now complete the following:
As most of you know, the cost of higher education continues to increase, yet the available aid to students is not keeping up. College students are graduating with more debt than ever. Students with outstanding grades have typically been able to apply for merit based scholarship aid, while students from low income households have been able to apply for need based aid.

What about the average student who falls in between?

Read Chapter 10 and carefully consider all sides, including the debate on page 237, then answer the following question:

Should colleges continue to award merit based aid or only award need based aid?

Yes, colleges should still offer merit-based financial aid. Performance driven results are a fact of our society. Most upper-level jobs are based on results not just simply being present. Georgia offers an excellent solution to the problem. By utilizing funds from the lottery, every Georgia state resident who graduates high school with a grade point average [GPA] of 2.0 and higher, has state funded colleges as an option. Hope grant provides resources for students between a 2.0 and 3.0 GPA for up to 63 credit hours, if a student can get their GPA up to between 3.0 and 4.0 GPA up to 127 attempted hours.

The Hope Grant and scholarship programs offer every student an opportunity to a college degree without increasing resident taxes and can be used at any state funded college or technical school. There are checkpoints within the program, and if you fall below the 2.0 you must pay for college with alternative means until you can get your GPA back up. College is not meant for everyone. Like being the Chief Executive Officer [CEO] of a Fortune 500 company, unless you aspire, push yourself and meet expectations within the workplace, some option in life are simply not going to occur.

Simply shifting the blame for shortcomings to just the system without looking at the fact we have become an entitlement society does no one any good. If funds were positioned correctly, an excellent example is the online tutoring program at Excelsior College, but provided at the high school level. Hope recipients are also not limited to using FASFA funds. If a student qualifies for FAFSA those funds are utilized first, then any difference is covered by HOPE Scholarship or Grant, which is not income based. Hope eliminates the gap for the average student who falls between need based and merit based funding. Students who aspire to further their education should be able to reach a 2.0 GPA.

Based on the question above, post your two or three important findings, of two paragraphs or more, that clearly answer the question above.

After you have posted your response, comment on at least two postings from others in the class where you have learned something new and tell us why you selected those postings.