Personal and Professional Social Work Values

Personal and Professional Social Work Values

Heterosexism is defined as “thediscrimination or prejudice by heterosexuals against homosexuals” (merriam-webster.com) and is predicated on the belief that being heterosexual is the norm and the only accepted type of relationship.

 

Everyday heterosexism is exemplified in our media, our policies, and daily practices. By making these assumptions, social workers can be in part culpable for the oppression and marginalization experienced by the LGBTQ community.

 

As a profession, social work embraces diversity and strives to ensure equal rights for all. The National Association of Social Workers (NASW) is committed to supporting the needs of these groups and, in turn, they created the National Committee on Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgender Issues. During this week’s discussion you will be asked to consider how one’s own personal views on sexual orientation may clash with the profession’s stance.

 

1. Post a scenario of how a social worker’s personal, ethical, and moral values in relation to the LGBTQ community might conflict with those of their clients.
2. Explain the distinction between personal ethics and values and professional ethics and values evident in the social work profession in addressing this community.
3. Be specific and explain how this distinction relates to the scenario you posted.
4. Also explain how prejudice and bias might create barriers to fulfilling your professional responsibility to the LGBTQ community.

 

 

References (use at least 2)

 

Adams, M., Blumenfeld, W. J., Castaneda, C., Hackman, H. W., Peters, M. L., & Zuniga, X. (Eds.). (2013). Readings for diversity and social justice. (3rd ed.). New York, NY: Routledge Press.

 

 

Clinton, H. R. (2011). United Nations Address on Global LGBT Rights. U.S. Department of State. Retrieved from

 

It Gets Better Project. (n.d.). It gets better. Retrieved September 6, 2013, from:

 

 

 

Discussion 2: Moral Development Theory and Bullying

 

Bullying is not a new phenomenon, but social media and communication technologies have introduced a breadth and depth to which public shaming, targeted taunting, and bullying have manifested. For this Discussion, consider how bullying has changed and how it has remained the same in light of modern technology.

 

1. Post an explanation of one moral development theory and its connection to the act of bullying.
2. Be sure to frame your explanation within the context of cyber and other bullying that persists in social media and communication technologies used by adolescents.
3. Also explain how bullying has changed and how it has remained the same in light of modern technology.

 

 

References (use at least 2)

 

Zastrow, C. H., & Kirst-Ashman, K. K. (2016). Understanding human behavior and the social environment (10th ed.). Boston, MA:  Cengage Learning.

Chapter 8 (pp. 376-422)

 

 

Glasser, L., & Keller, M. (2009). Are the competent the morally good? Perspective taking and moral motivation of children involved in bullying. Social Development, 18(4), 798–816. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases.

 

 

 

 

Discussion 3: Bullying: Cycle of Events

 

Bearing witness to trauma has its own set of consequences. Watching repeated episodes of bullying can evoke strong emotional and behavioral responses from an adolescent. During the impressionable stage of social development in adolescents, these experiences can contribute to a change in perception about the ways people should and do treat each other. Furthermore, ongoing exposure to this behavior can jeopardize an adolescent’s healthy social development. For this Discussion, consider how the act of bullying experienced by one adolescent may change the experience of another who witnesses it.

 

1. Post a scenario that illustrates how bullying experienced by one adolescent may change the experience of another who witnesses it.
2. Then address the availability of any social work intervention, skill, or practice that might change this cycle of events.

 

 

References (use at least 2)

 

Pace, U., & Zappulla, C. (2011). Problem behaviors in adolescence: The opposite role played by insecure attachment and commitment strength. Journal of Child & Family Studies, 20(6), 854–862.

 

Dempsey, A. G., Sulkowski, M. L., Nichols, R., & Storch, E. A. (2009). Differences between peer victimization in cyber and physical settings and associated psychosocial adjustment in early adolescence. Psychology in the Schools, 46(10), 962–972. Retrieved from the Walden Library databases

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE CLASS

Discussion Questions (DQ)

• Initial responses to the DQ should address all components of the questions asked, including a minimum of one scholarly source, and be at least 250 words.
• Successful responses are substantive (i.e., add something new to the discussion, engage others in the discussion, well-developed idea) and include at least one scholarly source.
• One or two-sentence responses, simple statements of agreement, or “good post,” and responses that are off-topic will not count as substantive. Substantive responses should be at least 150 words.
• I encourage you to incorporate the readings from the week (as applicable) into your responses.

Weekly Participation

• Your initial responses to the mandatory DQ do not count toward participation and are graded separately.
• In addition to the DQ responses, you must post at least one reply to peers (or me) on three separate days, for a total of three replies.
• Participation posts do not require a scholarly source/citation (unless you cite someone else’s work).
• Part of your weekly participation includes viewing the weekly announcement and attesting to watching it in the comments. These announcements are made to ensure you understand everything that is due during the week.

APA Format and Writing Quality

• Familiarize yourself with APA format and practice using it correctly. It is used for most writing assignments for your degree. Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for APA paper templates, citation examples, tips, etc. Points will be deducted for poor use of APA format or absence of APA format (if required).
• Cite all sources of information! When in doubt, cite the source. Paraphrasing also requires a citation.
• I highly recommend using the APA Publication Manual, 6th edition.

Use of Direct Quotes

• I discourage overutilization of direct quotes in DQs and assignments at the Masters’s level and deduct points accordingly.
• As Masters’s level students, it is important that you be able to critically analyze and interpret information from journal articles and other resources. Simply restating someone else’s words does not demonstrate an understanding of the content or critical analysis of the content.
• It is best to paraphrase content and cite your source.

 

LopesWrite Policy

• For assignments that need to be submitted to LopesWrite, please be sure you have received your report and Similarity Index (SI) percentage BEFORE you do a “final submit” to me.
• Once you have received your report, please review it. This report will show you grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors that can easily be fixed. Take the extra few minutes to review instead of getting counted off for these mistakes.
• Review your similarities. Did you forget to cite something? Did you not paraphrase well enough? Is your paper made up of someone else’s thoughts more than your own?
• Visit the Writing Center in the Student Success Center, under the Resources tab in LoudCloud for tips on improving your paper and SI score.

Late Policy

• The university’s policy on late assignments is 10% penalty PER DAY LATE. This also applies to late DQ replies.
• Please communicate with me if you anticipate having to submit an assignment late. I am happy to be flexible, with advance notice. We may be able to work out an extension based on extenuating circumstances.
• If you do not communicate with me before submitting an assignment late, the GCU late policy will be in effect.
• I do not accept assignments that are two or more weeks late unless we have worked out an extension.
• As per policy, no assignments are accepted after the last day of class. Any assignment submitted after midnight on the last day of class will not be accepted for grading.

Communication

• Communication is so very important. There are multiple ways to communicate with me: 
  • Questions to Instructor Forum: This is a great place to ask course content or assignment questions. If you have a question, there is a good chance one of your peers does as well. This is a public forum for the class.
  • Individual Forum: This is a private forum to ask me questions or send me messages. This will be checked at least once every 24 hours.