project example

"Broken" by Joshua Haywood

(project summary by D. Butler)

This project was driven by several questions concerning depression and suicide.

In addition to the course text, Joshua referred to two books and two web sites on suicide. The final project included evaluative reviews of all sources.

The project outcome included both

	a short paper (on types of suicides and their commonness, some theories of suicide, and a personal reaction to suicide) and
	an acrylic painting (see right) with a summary statement. The craftsmanship of the artwork and the paper were very good.

The learning described in the personal reflection indicated that Joshua had focused on content learning of psychology, particularly on the psychology of suicide, more than on skill development or core curriculum goals. However, his extra effort to include the artwork, resulted in an excellent project instead of just a good one.

Joshua Haywood acrylic showing sad person with hands over face

Just as the flame of a candle
can be blown out by the wind,
so can the joy of life be squelched
in a desperate person
by a run of misfortune.
Such loss of joy, can cause one
to consider, and even execute,
the most selfish act of all
... SUICIDE.