Direct Yourself to a Directed Study
Written By Asia Howe
“The whole purpose of education is to turn mirrors into windows.” — Sydney J. Harris
In truth, senior and Communications major David Sellers did not enter the semester knowing that he would be taking the directed studies Communications (COM) 399 and 499. What he did know, however, was that he would graduate in May—something he is still on track to do once he secures the six upper-division credits these studies offer. His completion of the courses, which at present do not possess titles, will feel unquestionably sweet not just because of the ceremony it precedes, but because of what it means. Having fashioned the studies from his love of intercultural relations and social justice, his completion of COM 399 and 499 will mean that he both generated his own courses and learned about a topic he is sincerely passionate about.
As for assignments, Sellers states, “I decided to write two papers [for the studies wherein] I could share personal experience and knowledge. My original plan of study was to analyze the way American students in Korea interact in different social groups.” The senior has an explanation for his particular interest in the foreign country: he studied for two years in South Korea. He failed to stop designing his studies at this idea, however. “As an advocate of the gay community, I decided to focus on [the] cross-cultural aspects [of] social issues regarding homosexuality. One [of my] papers will focus on the United States and the other will focus on South Korea.” Sellers is managed by Dr. Iva Goldman, the former Communications Department chairperson.
Communications major and graduating senior, David Sellers. Photo courtesy of David Sellers.
While the senior never intended to take COM 399 and 499, he has discovered that the courses are quite rewarding and eye-opening. He asserts, “These directed studies have helped me become a more independent student rather than rely on traditional, in-class settings where there is a strict syllabus to follow.” He believes himself to have more freedom in an independent course than in a pre-approved University of Hawaii at Hilo (UHH) course. He keeps himself from forgetting about deadlines, however, by keeping the goal he began the semester with in mind. “As a perfectionist,” he explains, “I want these final papers [for] my undergraduate degree to be a reflection of my attitude and personality. These papers will give me a voice.” With a subject that was especially created by him for him, Sellers has certainly granted himself an opportunity to present, alongside research, his personal experience and knowledge.
Regarding research, the senior has found himself advancing beyond the Mookini Library and into the real world. “I created a survey,” he admits, “that asked specific questions [about] issues [surrounding] homosexuality. I sent the survey out to over 100 people via Facebook and email. I only sent the survey to people who were either American or South Korean.” More than 20 —more than Sellers had expected—Americans and South Koreans took his survey. He reports that he will apply the data he collected to the secondary information he gleaned from various academic journals and in effect, enhance his reports.
The response sheet for and data from Sellers’ survey. Photo courtesy of David Sellers.
In addition to all the other rewarding experiences which COM 399 and 499 have given the senior, he claims to have honed his leadership skills. The process Sellers had to go through to administer his survey improved his skills in particular. He hopes to use his augmented leadership skills to be just as confident as he is currently in generating a feeling of cooperation and community amongst people in the future. Hence, he hopes to work for a magazine devoted to social issues, a magazine that will enable him to voice his thoughts and experiences with the world. As a graduating student who is nearly finished with two directed studies, Sellers encourages all students who can pursue a directed study to do so while they are still in school and have the chance. He believes independent courses provide students with the freedom and educational enrichment they need if they plan to go onto graduate school.
Students who take and want to take a directed study should meet with the advisor they were given in the department of their major. More information about directed studies may be found here.
