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I. Concentration Statement *

II. Autobiography Statement *

III. Justification Statement *

IV. Major Learning Outcomes (MLO) *

VI. COURSE Matrix *

VII. Capstone Project Proposals *

VIII. Faculty Advisors *

IX. Conclusion *

I started off as a child…Not really! A joke, so laugh. Yes, I guess I was the clown of the class, the one who sang way off key intentionally to make my classmates know they were alive while writhing from the pain inflicted by such horribly disgusting vocal interludes. Even at my ripe old age; rapidly approaching the big 50, I am still a very silly and fun-loving person. I do, however, possess an extremely balanced side. I have reserves of dedication, perseverance and guts that would make the most tenacious blush blood red.

Academic: Education is the most important focus at this juncture of my development. My main goal is to right some wrongs, rebuild some cells and evolve into the human being that I am. I began this journey after a seriously close wake-up call where I had to accept responsibility for my actions and pay the cost. This was a huge turning point fifteen years ago, and I have worked hard to become a better person ever since.

Prior Learning Experiences: In this quest to become a better person, I discovered many gaps in my education that existed for numerous reasons. The fear of mathematics was one of these that effectively halted my progress and prevented me from considering earning a degree in anything but life. Life has a disturbing way of forcing us to acknowledge the consequences of existence. It does this by giving and taking life. I became a widow by the time my youngest of two children was two years old. My relief from the hardships of being a single parent came in the form of constantly snatching a college course or two each semester. This pattern continued for over twenty years of motherhood. Suddenly, I found myself without the huge responsibilities of raising little children alone. The kids were long gone and I was responsible for myself only.

Academic Background: This marked a new beginning for me; I got a new lease on life and determined to exploit it fully. One day I was walking around the Cabrillo College campus when an administrator approached me. She very kindly asked how I was doing and would I be with them for the millennium? This was another wake up call. It was time to graduate so I sought counseling to determine how to take this step.

In this process, it was discovered that I have a Learning Disability that I was probably born with and compensated for by excelling in other areas. I made friends with this fact and took a different approach to mathematics. I replaced the fear with knowledge that I gained through research about learning disabilities. This helped me come to terms with the diagnosis. Finally, I accepted accommodations such as additional time, and eventually, grasped the procedures and methods required for success in mathematics.

I completed all of the math requirements. My counselor announced that I could receive two degrees from Cabrillo! I graduated in 1998 with Associates in Music and Liberal Studies. I prepared for CSUMB and began in the Fall of 1998. I may earn my ISSM BA before my baby son does. I call both of my sons and tell them they are old! They laugh and are proud of me.

Preparation and Readiness for self-directed program: CSUMB has posed a great challenge to my learning. It has built in processes such as assessments to gauge your knowledge. These ferret out whether or not you actually know what you say you know. I appreciate this and am repairing any gaps or holes in my education I will continue to work diligently in all subjects attempted, including the Bb online courses that I enjoy.

Personal Reasons: I am an independent thinker and seek the big picture in most endeavors. I find most majors offered at CSUMB are overly restrictive and confining. I do not excel to my ability in environments that do not encourage self-directed learning. Therefore, I embrace the wonderful opportunity to design my major through ISSM by accessing the other institutes offerings.

I feel that I am part of the bridge of learning through collaboration across the three emphases in my proposed major. I believe that I am exercising the intention of our mission statement by incorporating the best CSU Monterey Bay offerings into my education. I hope that my proposed major is approved and may be among the models for future ISSM students. I remain a crazed musician and singer. I am devoted to our community and determined to rise from the depths and up the rungs of education. This ascent will yield the outcomes of effective civic accomplishments and music business success.

My ISSM major concentration is Music-Multimedia Production (M²P) with emphases on CST, TAT, and MPA. I hope to receive my ISSM-M²P BA degree in the Spring of 2001.

I am an integrative thinker and found it absolutely necessary to enter the ISSM program because I needed the autonomy to continue learning a myriad of subjects. I am a more effective student when encouraged to think independently, work over the web, and or collaborate in and out of the classroom.

ISSM has allowed me to hone my passions and combine courses from three CSUMB institutes. These are CST, MPA and TAT. Each is special and adds something wonderful to my learning. However, each is separate and does not readily cross over into other institutes or permit me to accelerate my learning, as I need them to.

I am at a stage in my life where self-fulfillment and expression are vital to my growth and present educational experience. As a seasoned singer, I have worn lots of hats and eventually recognized the need to expand my understanding of the entertainment industry through education. This is specifically why I appreciate CSUMB. I am permitted to design my major and have complete access to the three different institutes that it covers.

Graduation Plan Table, adopted from the CSUMB Academic Summary Worksheet

Units Completed: __124_____

Units Needed: ________0__

CSUMB Units Completed: _0______

CSUMB Units Needed: _____0_____

Upper Division Units Completed: __9_____

Upper Division Units Needed: ______0_____

General Education Units Completed: _____131__

General Education Units Needed: _________0__

Major Units Completed: ____24____

Major Units Needed: _________2__

Major Upper Division Units Completed: __9

Major Upper Division Units Needed: _____2_____

ULR Upper Division Units Completed: __2_____

ULR Upper Division Units Needed: ______2____

This will require lots of research. It will be very interesting to compare and contrast the styles of these unique African American divas of Gospel. Since I grew up in the Gospel, I know which families still have the old 33s and 78s that I would love to digitize and weave a story about the African American experience on ;the Monterey Peninsula. This is really the story of Seaside coming of age.

We have lots of footage and can weave a story around the making of a super group of local musicians; the trials, personalities and their lives. The ultimate triumph of a band from the ashes to stardom. Come on down to the Best Western Seacliff Inn because I am singing there on Fridays and every other Saturday. My band is chock full of great musicians and just last week, my husband started singing our duet song, and the place exploded with screaming and pure ecstasy. I have never seen a crowd react like that before. He is really a great singer and bassist. You should come check it out.

We have lots of footage of Sister Deola, the Settles sisters and other gospel singers and preachers from the African American Communities located here on the Monterey Peninsula, in Seaside and around the US. This will chronicle her life as a Gospel Singer. Sister Deola is my Mother and I must tell her story pretty soon. She and her elderly friends want mSister Deola was quite a fine singer and was dubbed the mockingbird by her peers in Chicago in the 1930s. She grew up with the likes of Sam Cooke, Nat 'King' Cole, Aretha Franklin, Mahalia Jackson, and a host of marvelous gospel singers. The held competitions at the churches to crown the winner. I can just hear the songs and feel the spirit moving among those decent, young African Americans. Do you want to know more? I will get those old 78rpms from our old friends and digitize them.

VIII. Faculty Advisors

This learning plan contains information about the courses that I have completed at CSUMB and at other schools. L is determined to stay the course and follow the ISSM path to graduation. I appreciate being part of the ISSM program. I now have a much clearer picture about the directions I can go without necessarily becoming an expert in every subject. I am versed in three majors: CST, MPA and TAT. I understand just enough to maintain my curiosity and intrigue my husband. I will let you rest now because I need to retire now.

Bye, for now.