Theory Application Essay

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Theory Application Essay
Student Development theories set the groundwork for the student affairs professions and practices. When applied, these theories, can assist practitioners in addressing and understand student needs, design programs, develop policies, create healthy campus climates, and encourage the positive development of students (Patton, Renn, Guido, & Quaye, 2016, p. 7). For this particular case at the University of Kansas, when applied correctly, student development theories can not only boost student growth, but generate an effective resolution process.
Epistemological and Intellectual Development
Student development theories can be broken down into categories. The Epistemological and Intellectual Development theories focus on the “intellectual and ethical development” of the students (as stated in Patton et al., 2016, p.314). These theories focus on the cognitive structural development that many students experience during their time in college. The KU case provides an intriguing situation where students are exposed to new and varying …show more content…

(2016) stated, "Perry characterized multiplicity as honoring diverse views when the right answers are not yet known" (p. 317). Practitioners at KU can use facilitated discussions to guide student development into this position of multiplicity and continue to encourage student development. Throughout the positions that occur during the multiplicity concept, students develop the skills to think analytically, using a combination of independent learning, and growing from a new respect for diverse views and peer knowledge. Bringing together the Student Senate leaders and the leaders from student organization Rock Chalk Invisible Hawk, can provide opportunity to create further awareness of the issue and the varying views that exist on campus. Practitioners can stimulate their students' intellectual development using the fundamental guidance of Perry's theory ultimately transitioning to the position of