Welcome to my E-Portfolio!
My name is Anmol Kaur and I am double majoring in Political Science and Labor Relations at Pennsylvania State University as a Paterno Fellows aspirant. As you read on, I will discuss more about myself and the content of this E-portfolio.

Fall 2011- Spring 2012
I came in as a freshman at Pennsylvania State University, University campus in the fall of 2011 as an aspiring Paterno Fellow. I began my collegiate career with six dual enrollment credits I had completed at Northampton Community college at home. At Pennsylvania State University I am currently taking courses in both Political Science and Labor Relations and hope to enter Schreyers Honors College with the concurret major of Political Science in the fall of 2012. In the future I hope to use these majors as a firm foundation going into law school where I would like to specialize in corporate law.

E-Portfolio
As you go on and explore my E-Portfolio you will be able to look at a compilation of works that I have completed throughout my collegiate career thus far. These works will include essays, speeches, and blogs that I have done and will be updated often with work that I do in the future. If going through anything you ever have any types of questions please do not hesitate to contact me through the contact link on the E-portfolio.

Anmol Kaur E-Portfolio

Nocturnal Nights

So I'm pretty sure that everyone can relate with my problem on this one, right? It's not only english papers, its papers for all those other writing intensive courses that we take but end up regretting. Though this might not be a smart idea to talk about this since this is my english class, but just last week I had a paper due in my english class which I unfortunately ended up pulling a all nighter for. I couldn't figure out what I wanted to write about exactly and good old facebook just helped so much more leading me to not finish my paper until 5 am. Mind me, this was not the first time that something of the sort happened. 

Many students choose to take exams over papers because at least with exams you can say fuck it at some point and stop studying and just get some sleep. With papers that is impossible because you technically can't leave your paper in the middle. With papers the night just drags on and there's nothing you can do about it besides think about how happy you will be when you finally finish it. 

Don't Think It Gets Worse Than This

So I’m pretty sure every kid at Penn State must have already been a victim of this statement, or if it hasn’t happened yet, it will somewhere during their Penn State experience. I unfortunately am a student who has been a victim of this particular statement. During this past semester I made the worst decision of my life and decided to take Political Science 014 with Professor Iqbal. I don’t think I have ever regreted something more than that decision. I went to that class for the first week of classes and came to discover that she is incapable of teaching.

Ever since that moment I knew that I would have to teach myself everything for the midterms and finals in that class. Thus I would take incredibly detailed notes after reading the book. But even all this work was not enough and I ended up doing very badly on the midterms. After the second mid-term I found out that the late drop date for the class was on April 6^th and I told my professor that I needed to find out my midterm grade by then to decide whether or not I was going to drop the class. Of course, exactly what I had expected happened, even after many emails I still didn’t get my mid-term grade in time so I ended up dropping the course instead of taking the class. Ends up that I definitely made the right decision.

Overall, this occurrence came to teach me that this meme is very true in the point that it is attempting to get across. Some professors don’t take the late drop seriously and don’t even recognize that some students care about their grades and want to make the right decision so that they don’t end up jeopardizing their GPA at the end. Their meme does a great job of taking collaborating the right image with the right text. It shows exactly how certain professors think that by saying a statement as such, they don’t actually mean it and there are no repercussions for them even if they don’t get the grading done. All in all this meme just comes to show another problem with the college educational system. 

Wait What?

I am not sure how others perceive this picture, but whenever I look at it I only remember one thing…my best friend from high school. She obviously, like everyone else, applied to main campus but didn’t get in there and instead got accepted to Altoona. Being someone who had never really accomplished much academically, she was extremely excited to at least get accepted into Penn State. She went screaming to her mother that afternoon that day about how she had gotten into Penn State. Her mother on the other hand responded by saying Congratulations and telling her that University Park was definitely one of the best places for her to be. At that, my friends’ happiness went away and she explained about how she had just gotten into Altoona. At this her mother completely flipped out by saying that Altoona wasn’t Penn State…exactly what this meme states.

This story proves that this meme is a scenario that occurs often in families when students receive their acceptance letters from Penn State. There are certain kids who barely make the cut and are able to use the summer leap program in order to get into the University Park campus and those that are a bit more unfortunate and have no other option besides going to Berks or Altoona. These use the statement that they go to Penn State even when they know in the back of their minds’ that the branch campus’ compare nowhere near to main campus.

This meme gives attending a branch campus for the first two year a negative connotation. The sad thing about this is that in real life attending a branch campus is looked upon with a negative light as well. It is not only the main campus students, but the branch campus students themselves who always complain about their campuses by saying that it doesn’t have adequate academic resources or the same level of partying. Many branch campus students are found up at Penn State very often because they like to make the best of their weekends by “going hard” at Penn State main.

Overall, this meme bring up the pathos and ethos that is related to the main concept of college acceptances when it comes to Penn State University. This meme bring up pathos because the viewer emotionally feels bad for the poor kid who has been completely labeled as a reject by his parent. It also hits upon a little bit of ethos because it shows how acceptances with Penn State work. There are different levels of them, and one is usually higher when he or she is directly accepted into University Park campus versus a branch campus. 


http://www.epinions.com/review/educ-Colleges_and_Universities-All-Pennsylvania_State_University_University_Park/content_28604141188?sb=1

Dry Campus

Pretty sure there is no other meme out there that could point out this irony in a better way. Penn State and alcohol have always been synonymous because Penn State has such a large drinking culture that is prevalent around campus. Most Penn Staters are known for “going hard” on the weekends and partying Thursday through Saturday. When one goes out to the bars when the weather is nice, there are a lot of people there too, even if it a weeknight.

This meme uses humor to portray the fact that Penn State is far from being a dry campus. Lately the weather in State College has been extremely off. There was much rain in the beginning of the year and in the beginning of the semester. This meme uses this type of text to make its point. By saying that it has been raining a lot lately the meme states that the campus hasn’t been both dry physically and alcohol wise. Further the picture of the green dinosaur thinking in the background makes the humor come out even more in the meme.

This meme indirectly states that it is kind of hilarious that one would even come close to thinking that Penn State has a dry campus. With even the freshmen getting caught with alcohol here and there, the campus is far from dry. Just the state of intoxication of the freshmen getting onto the white loop on Thursday, Fridays, and Saturday nights proves to one that they obviously “pre-gamed” pretty hard in their dorms to be in that state. With girls falling all over the place before they even hit downtown for the night proves that the dorms on campus, especially East, are far from dry.

          Penn State is one of those schools that always gets ranked as one of the top partying schools in the nation, thus showing that drinking has a lot to do with that stat. On top of that Penn State holidays such as State Patty’s day and Blue and White weekend show one that we Penn Staters really like our alcohol. For those that don’t know much about these weekends, they are weekends during which Penn Staters have daylongs and drink basically Friday through Sunday. Events like these and the overall statistics available about Penn State prove to one that Penn State is not a dry type of university. This meme further does a great job of proving its point by combing humor and skepticism on how dry the Penn State campus actually is. 

Women Are Targeted

     An eye opening video, this video goes onto state some of the ugly truths that are still omnipresent in our world right now. This video talks about how young women have more to worry about their image as a whole going into school. Women can't just focus on their career in work or school, instead they are pressured by society to always keep a certain type of image. There were some younger girls in the video who said that it was awful that along with their grades they also had to make sure they weren't over weight and that they put on a lot of make up. These types of society stressors put on these girls just brought them down and didn't let them fully concentrate on their work in school. 


     Besides these facts, this video also goes on to discuss how all of the best women out there are the ones that the media always hits hard. It is so sad to see that the media always focuses on a woman's body instead of their intellect thus creating consciousness.Women like Rice, Clinton, and yes even Sarah Pallin are women that have reached a very succesful level in life. Even though these women are this far high in life, they are still brought down in the eyes of regular citizens because of the media. Besides these women there are others that are shown in magazines and on tv shows and advertisements. These women are always put down in the way that they are portrayed to the regular public. It is sad to see that women have become so vulnerable even with all they do and contribute to the world in this day. 


     All the different women in this video talk about how thought they are considered equal to women, they are actually put down in a lot of different ways by society. Due to all of the different clips by different women I believe that this video arises pathos in the viewer. It is really strong in the way it comes out and relies its message. Most women and younger girls just have come to take some of these situations as stereotypical norms but others are attempting to finally change them. This video makes an emotional connection to the viewer, especially if it is a viewer of the female gender. After watching this video even I had something arise inside of me that said that I should rise up and attempt to change these stereotypical norms that still barricade our society today. 


To check out this video go to the link below:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6gkIiV6konY

State Patty's Weekend

Once February hits, State Patty's weekend is all Penn State students are talking about. For those that don't know of what this is, this is the weekend that Penn State students celebrate St. Patricks day since this holiday usually falls during the Penn State students' spring break. This holiday is especially well known at Penn State for people to get extremely drunk starting friday night all the way through Sunday night. There are always many different guest students who come up for the weekend from various universities nearby. Last year most of these students ended up getting too drunk and there were many cases of alcohol poisoning. To avoid that this year the university imposed a one guest rule in dorms and said that fraternities weren't allowed to have any parties on the Saturday of State Patty's weekend. 

When asked about why many of the alcohol poisoning cases were usually non Penn Staters most Penn State students replied by saying that other school kids can't handle Penn State partying. This is exactly the type of stereotype that this meme is portraying. With the image that shows someone so drunk that they've fallen out of their chair and text that reads "an average state college weekend with no football" this meme basically sends the message that Penn State students are can handle State Patty's weekend type of drinking every weekend. This meme portrays the basic Penn State partying image and proves that Penn State students handle their liquor better than most other college students. 

Party at Meridian?

Badass. Thats the first word that comes to my head when I look at this facebook meme. For those of you who do not understand what this meme is talking about, it is indirectly talking about the new rules and regulations that have been set in the Meridian apartments at Penn State downtown. After much wreckage that occurred after the official Penn State holiday, State Patty's Day, rules were changed in the Meridian that they could not have any more parties.
This meme portrays a two to three year old girl on a pony saying that she will throw a party. This picture gives out a message of refusal and rebelling. It is extremely ironic how a little innocent girl was used to give out such a badass message. But I believe that this was all done on purpose. The use of the little girl arouses pathos because one comes to think that someone that naive will never be able to actually do something that hardcore and break the rules that one has signed in a contract. Overall though I find this meme hilarious and interesting. Obviously it's funny because of the two contradicting things put together...the picture and the text. It is also very complex and interesting because it has me wondering what will happen next in the Penn State Partying scene. Will the Meridian, one of the largest apartment complex's in downtown, be able to stop partying altogether or will the Meridian 3 always remain that one place that everybody is attempting to shuffly and find when they are at a high level of intoxication on a friday night?

We Are Penn State

     This meme shows the different types of stereotypes set about Penn State university. The first picture shows what a Penn State student's mother thinks he or she does in school. The picture portrays a student working studiously in the library. It indirectly sends the message that a mother of a PSU student thinks that her son or daughter always work diligently in college, attempting to get far in their future. 

     
     The next picture shows what the friends of a Penn State student think he or she does up at school. The picture is one of improperly dressed slutty looking girls playing beer pong. This sets the image that most friends of Penn State students only see Penn State as a party school and thus they believe that all PSU students only are oriented with the drinking and partying scene in school. The next picture depicts what a prof thinks about a Penn State student. The picture shows a student sitting in a lecture class passed out. This image indirectly sends a message that most profs think their students are just lazy and come to class and sleep instead of paying attention. 

     The fourth picture of this meme brings up some ridicule because it brings up the memory of the Joe Pa riots from November. The media portrayed Penn State students with a negative image for the things they did during that image and this picture shows exactly that. This meme shows how the image shown by the media is only negative about PSU.

     The next picture shows what a Penn State student thinks he or she does. This picture shows students sitting together in what looks like a study session. These kids are working together and portrays Penn State students as studious students who are concerned about making something out of their future. The last picture is the best because it portrays what a Penn State student actually does. This is a picture of the grand total that was raised for the kids at THON 2012. The number was approximately $10.7 million. This incredible number was possible for the cancer families of the four diamonds funds because Penn State students came together and worked hard to can and raise money for these kids. This picture shows what a Penn State student is because it shows that PSU students care about others and work hard to create a change for good in today's world. This meme creates pathos because when seeing the different views of society on one person a person can make a personal emotional connection on how he or she sees a Penn State student. 

Link to learn more about THON:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AQsXojDxVf0

Ew It's Valentines Day

Oh good 'ol valentines day, that over advertised holiday that girls in relationships adore and ones that are single girl dread. Usually you can tell who the individuals working the single swag are because they have a sad depressed look on their face, pitying their fate. The couples on the other hand are the complete opposite and can be seen holding flowers, chocolates, or something similar to the latter. Whether it be happy or sad, valentines day is a day that every individual has to get through. 
This meme that I came across shows how one's perception on valentines day can be changed. From all of my friends and my own personal experience I have come to learn that the main reason that I other single people hate valentines day is because they also want someone to share their love with, but have no one. One's feelings erupt even further when they see someone they would want to be with walking down the street with someone else. All these different types of situations can lead to some very sad puppies. The writing on this meme shows how someone who is sad can become happy if they have that one date. 
The red color makes the meme seem very passionate to the reader and catches his or her attention. On top of that the picture of the 17th century male portrays edicate and a bit of romance because the male seems like that. Overall, I believe if one was to ask this to another individual he or she liked, he or she would most definitely say yes. Then again if the answer was a no it would still be okay because there are a lot of other individuals out there who are also just hoping for better luck next year. 

Ironic Much?

Memes are always one of those things that absolutely just make my day while scrolling down my facebook newsfeed. Whether it be one about how lazy college seniors are or about typical problems that Penn Staters have. This one especially caught my attention because it is so stereotypical and funny. I feel as if there is pathos available in this meme because the fact that Temple is has a very unsafe community is a credible statement. After reading this it legit made me laugh out loud because I could see something like this happening in real life. I have many friends who go to Temple and they always tell me of stories of how they have heard of gunshots while going to classes. There's also that typical statement that one is not a true Temple student until he or she is mugged. With all of these statements it was funny to see how the creator of this meme was able to take those facts about Temple's reputation as a badass school and incorporate it with football. It's also funny how the creator of the two put two negatives together. The first thing is that Temple will be losing to one of it's rival schools, Penn State. After that kind of terrible loss it will have to go further and 'get robbed' while making its way back. This type of negative conotation for the school makes the meme funny and more enjoyable for those who are more Penn State oriented, rather than Temple. 

Disney's Everlasting Effect On Us

     From the Lion King to Little Mermaid, Disney movies have been a part of everyone's childhood growing up. While some were obsessed with being Jasmine and trying to find their Aladdin, others were going out to become the king of their worlds just like good old Simba. These simple but yet powerful characters instilled many different traits into little children. Children learned the difference between good and bad, they learned about courage, and yes they even learned about passion.
     Walt Disney has been able to make millions of kids' childhoods livelier through his rewarding films. Movies such as Monsters Inc. and Finding Nemo are so good that a eighteen year old like me still says they are my favorite movies. Every single movie brings the innocence out in one and most of today's television shows don't really do that anymore. Most kids growing up today watch shows on Disney Channel or Nickelodeon that have pre-teens and teenagers hooking up; nothing a young child of five should be watching. These types of different shows are the cause that kids today are getting involved in more mature situations earlier. Kids are starting to have 'boyfriends and girlfriends' at ages when I didn't even know what that was. I was blessed to have my Disney movies to help me remain innocent and happy. The only type of love that I discovered was the one between a prince and princess, like Jasmine and Aladdin. Or maybe something like Nala and Simba, the lasting bond between a lion king and his queen. Disney movies taught me all the core principles of love, honesty, and courage that I needed to know. Now that I think about it I don't know what I would have done without them because even today while I write this blog, I am listening to "Can You Feel The Love Tonight" from the Lion King.

This I Believe Podcast

http://youtu.be/j6NCvV2zgYU

Paterno Proud

         
             Paterno Proud is the statement  that it said on every single bus that I passed by today. It is sometimes shocking to even imagine that the man who all of Penn State loves was once even down talked. No matter what ESPN news reporters had to say about JoePa, Penn State was always by his side and that showed during his procession today. As his casket passed by and all of Penn State got one last glance at their coach, the atmosphere was intense. Even a pin drop could be heard as the coach went by and each and every single Penn Stater payed their last respects. It was evident by the crowd how much respect every person at PSU had for good old JoePa no matter what the allegations that were made against him were. Just like the signs and chants that were being made, JoePa is Penn State! It took only forty seconds for the tickets of his memorial to get sold out, and the average wait for his viewing was about two hours; all of these facts showing the Paterno's special place in every Penn Stater's heart. One day he did say, "they ask me what I'd like written about me when I'm gone. I hope they write I made Penn State a better place, not just that I was a good football coach" and that is exactly what was being said today. From the Paterno Fellowship program to the Paterno Library, Paterno has left an everlasting impact on Penn State and he will always be remembered for it even though he has left. 

Rhetoric in AboveTheInfluence Ad

Many different items that we come across daily have a way of using rhetoric with them. There are so many different types of ads and commercials that we see everyday but never come to realize that they are using rhetoric in them. In the same way, I came across an 'abovetheinfluence' ad while watching television the other day. This commercial shows a teenager who first comes across another teenager smoking in the hallway. He passes by him not even thinking twice to try it, and goes onto to the top of the building. From there he jumps to other roof tops of buildings, observing below every other bad influence that he could remain above, such as teenagers drinking and even drug dealing. He keeps the main motto of the commercial real the entire time by actually staying 'above' the influence both mentally and physically. He stays on the rooftops, watching from above how others were under the influence. Since he had a way of staying away he was able to reach his final destination of school successfully. This commercial is very persuasive in showing that it is possible for everyone to stay above the influence if they choose to do so. There is an obvious logical proof that can be derived from this situation because the main argument represents the right choices that every teenager should make. It shows that in today’s world it is especially easier for kids to fall under peer pressure and do things they would rather not at times. But this commercial also at the same time argues the logic that there is in remaining above the influence. It persuades one to stay away from the negative temptations in life and remain above others so that one could be successful. It persuades one to actually be above not only one, but all influences.