For the final assignment in GENED490, I was tasked with creating and interpreting a personal piece of art that responded to core themes in the health humanities: compassion, caregiving, and the importance of meaningful rituals. The assignment called for not only craftwork, but also for deep reflection on how art and creative practice can illuminate elements of the human condition—vulnerability, connection, resilience, and the power of collective care. My expectations going in were that I would produce an artifact with both personal and universal resonance, then analyze how it tied into course learning goals and key concepts, such as Watson’s Caritas Processes and narrative healing. 

As I worked on my crochet cow, I found myself revisiting the concepts of nurturing, interdependence, and open-heartedness discussed in class. The repetitive and mindful nature of crocheting became a form of meditation, echoing the rituals and creative expressions that Kandel (2022) argued are core to human healing. I approached the project intending to create something gentle and comforting, drawn from the symbolism of cows as steady nurturers, an idea that increased in significance as I reflected on caregiving both in nature and in human society. 

After submitting the project, I recognized how much of my academic and personal growth had been woven into this artifact. Not only did I develop a stronger conceptual understanding of the health humanities, but I also learned the emotional value of intentional creation. The experience moved me beyond theoretical knowledge; it was an immersion into the lived experience of translating compassion and resilience into tangible action. 

I chose this assignment for my e-portfolio because it best represents the integration of scholarship and self-exploration that this course demanded. The crochet cow, and my reflective analysis of it, stand as evidence that humanities-based learning is transformative and practical. This artifact resonates far beyond the classroom: it connects directly to my values around care and community, and strengthens my belief that even simple, everyday acts, like making or sharing art, can be powerful forces for healing, connection, and social resilience. 

Reference 

Kandel, E. (2022, February 16). How dance, music and ritual can change our brains [Video]. YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XkDzdVTy1Fg