Baltej Singh Dhillon says of his plan to join the RCMP, “The expectation was that I would be wearing a Stetson and I’d be clean-shaven and, you know, on this black steed. I didn’t look like them. And I really had no plans of taking my turban off.” If you were interested in joining a group or organization with traditions that might clash with yours, what steps would you take to make sure you could do this successfully? Do you think you would be willing to subject yourself to the type of opposition that Baltej Singh Dhillon faced in the fight for his rights?

On the doctoral journey, you will need to adjust your thinking and perspective. it is inevitable that your world view will be challenged. how you respond to those instances of challenging remains in your control. this may sound daunting and even seem to be unacceptable, but it is the inexorable result of engaging in "deep thinking" while becoming an academic. remember, you are not just becoming a researcher, but you are also becoming a learned person (an academic) who will be charged with the responsibility of acting as a gatekeeper of knowledge and knowledge development. what distinguishes an infant academic from a mature academic? explain. how does the above biblical challenge to move toward mature thinking parallel the increased responsibility for knowledge and knowledge development that comes with the earning of a doctoral degree? explain.