Department of Social Work Austin Peay State University Clarksville

SYLLABUS
SW 3410 Exploring Values

Department of Social Work
Austin Peay State University
Clarksville, TN 37044

Professor Betty H. Joblin
Marks 208
Phone: 931.221.7717
E-mail: joblinb@apsu.edu
Home Page: http://www.apsu.edu/joblinb/
Office Hours: As posted and by appointment.

Text

There is no required text for the course.

Course Description

This course focuses on exploring the nature of values and the valuing process as well as on increasing self-awareness and self-knowledge in relation to personal values, beliefs and behaviors. The intent is not to indoctrinate nor to transmit a "right" set of values, beliefs, or behaviors but to:

	examine the process of valuing in human situations
	explore cultural, professional, and societal values which impact individuals' personal value systems

The course is designed to be particularly relevant to anyone entering a helping profession in which self-knowledge is crucial to maximizing objectivity and minimizing the projection of one's own values onto others.

Objectives

The following process of valuing is the organizing theme for the course.

Prizing One's Behaviors and Beliefs

1. Prizing and Cherishing
2. Publicly Affirming, When Appropriate

Choosing One' Beliefs and Behaviors

3. Choosing from Alternatives
4. Choosing After Consideration of Consequences
5. Choosing Freely

Acting on One's Beliefs
6. Acting
7. Acting with a Pattern, Consistency, and Repetition

Objectives include:

	each student will be able to use the seven sub-processes of valuing in his/her own life
	each student will apply these processes to already formed beliefs and behavior patterns as well as those still emerging
	each student will have greater awareness regarding his/her own personal value system
	each student will clarify personal values around specific human diversity variables including diversity based on gender, class, race, ethnic origin, religion, age, sexual orientation, and geographic location
	each student will be able to affirm his/her own personal values in a manner that does not criticize, attack, or malign the values of others

Learning Activities

Values Clarification Strategies: The content of this course revolves around students' personal values examined in the context of diverse, multicultural forces, issues, and situations. Being present in class and participating in class exercises and discussions are, therefore, critical to learning. Attendance is recorded for 35 class sessions. Students earn (2) points for attendance and participation in each class session. Please note that any absence, for whatever reason, is considered an absence and means (2) unearned points.

Self-Assessment: Students are required to complete an evaluation of learning regarding personal values and beliefs. A written guide for the assignment is provided and discussed in class. The guide explains required content as well as criteria for awarding points. A possible (5) points can be earned.

Personal Philosophy of Life: Using exercises from class students are required to write a personal statement regarding their philosophy of life. Guidelines and requirements will be discussed in class.

Reaction Statements: Students are required to review (3) articles from social work journals. Articles should relate to values and ethical issues in the practice of social work. A written guide explaining required content as well as criteria for awarding points is provided. A possible (5) points can be earned for each reaction statement.

Grading

1. Written work is graded on level of critical thinking, organization, readability, creativity, grammar, spelling, and punctuation and on compliance with required content.

2. Attendance is taken at the beginning of each class. Anyone who is late to class risks being counted absent. Being late over (10) minutes or leaving class (10) minutes early constitutes an absence.

Students earn points in the following manner:

Attendance/Participation	70 possible points
Self-Assessment	5 possible points
Personal Philosophy of Life Statement	10 possible points
Reaction Statements	15 possible points
Total	100 possible points

A=90-100pts.
B=80-89pts.
C=70-79pts.
D=65-69 pts.
F=below 65 pts.

If you require any type of special consideration or accommodation in order to carry out activities related to this course please consult with the Office of Disability Services in Clement 141 so that reasonable accommodations may be arranged.

Course Outline

(During each class session we focus on specific content regarding values as well as using a variety of values clarification strategies. The following is a proposed schedule of how we will proceed. Content may vary according to interest and depth of discussion generated by values clarification strategies and content presented in lectures.)

Week 1

	The nature of values clarification
	Values clarification and personal growth
	The nature of values
	Values clarification exercises

Week 2

	Being in a small group
	Ground rules
	Respecting rights to privacy and confidentiality
	Importance of active listening
	Affirming your own views and respecting the views of others
	Values clarification exercises

Week 3

	The skill of self-disclosure
	Self-disclosure and self-knowledge
	Values clarification exercises

Week 4

	Becoming a helper
	The role of values in our lives
	The role of values in helping professions
	Values clarification exercises

Week 5

	The seven sub-processes of valuing
	Values clarification exercises

Week 6

	Value conflicts and ethical dilemmas
	Values clarification exercises

Week 7

	Human diversity variables and personal values
	Gender, race, age, religion, sexual orientation, geographic location, class

Week 8-9

	Gender
	Sex role socialization
	Sex role stereotypes
	Values clarification exercises

Week 10-12

	Race and ethnic origin
	Prejudice, oppression, discrimination
	Stereotypes
	Values clarification exercises

Week 13-14

	Religion and spirituality
	Values clarification exercises

Week 15-16

	Sexual orientation
	Age,class, geographic location
	Values clarification exercises

Bibliography

Callahan, J. ed. (1997). Ethical issues in professional life. New York: Oxford University Press.

Corey, G. and Corey, M.S. (2002). Becoming a helper. 4th ed. Belmont, CA: Wadsworth.

Corey, G., Corey, M.S. & Callahan, J. (2003). Issues and ethics in the helping professions. 6th ed. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Gambrill, E. and Pruger, R. eds. ( 1996). Controversial issues in social work ethics, values, and obligations. Needham Heights, MA: Allyn and Bacon.

Loewenberg, F.M., Dolgoff, R. & Harrington, D. (2000). Ethical decisions for social work practice. 6th ed. Itasca, ILL: F.E. Peacock Publishers

Simon, S.B. et al (1992). Values clarification: a handbook of practical strategies for teachers and students. Warner Books.

Simon, S.B., Howe, L.W. & Kirschenbaum, H. (1995). Values clarification. Warner Books.

Simon, S.B. (1993). In search of values: 31 strategies for finding out what really matters most to you. Warner Books.

Van Hook, M., Hugen, B. & Aguilar, M. (2001). Spirituality within religious traditions in social work practice. Pacific Grove, CA: Brooks/Cole.

Smith, H.W., and Blanchard, K. (2000). What matters most: the power of living your values. Simon and Schuster.

Web Sites

Ethics on the World Wide Web: http://www.commfaculty.fullerton.edu/lester/ethics/books.html

NASW Code of Ethics: http://www.naswdc.org

Professional Ethics: http://www.ethicsweb.ca/books/professional.htm

Values at Work Questionnaire: http://www.maccoby.com/Surveys/VAWIntro.html