Signature Assignment (Due in Module 8)

FO703 Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling Signature Assignment Details and Rubric

A signature assignment is an assignment, task, activity, project, or exam used to collect evidence of student learning for a specific program learning outcome(s). The PLO rubric is used to assess the signature assignment and the cumulative results are used as part of a program’s reporting on student learning in the annual report or self-study. Other coursework can build toward the signature assignment, meaning that the signature assignment integrates cumulative knowledge of what the student learned in a particular course or set of courses for a particular program learning outcome(s). Like other assignments, a signature assignment is graded numerically to be factored into the final course grade. The signature assignment for this course requires students to write a 10-to-15 page (including cover page and reference page) paper on their personal culture(s). Students are expected to explore and relate experiences, attributes, and/or personal identification references that have shaped their cultural practices and identity as a cultural being. Students are expected to explore and write about experiences of being both privileged and disadvantaged. Students are expected to incorporate that understanding and insight into their future interactions with clients and other professionals. The paper should address the following information:

1. Personal Identity: Ethnic Background/Ancestry and State of Identity Development: a. What racial/ethnic group(s) do you identify with? b. Migration means to move from one place or region to another. Migration can be voluntary (emigrated), forced (slavery), or a means to seek

protection or refuge (seeking asylum). Please research your ancestry as best you can. If your ancestors were immigrants, how did they experience themselves as ethnic beings when they first arrived to this country (if applicable)? If your ancestors were forced to migrate or migrated in response to needing refuge, how did they experience the migration process, and how were they impacted as ethnic beings? Please address your individual family’s experience, as well as discuss (via research) the general immigration experience of the group in general. If you are an immigrant, describe your experiences arriving to the U.S.A. If you are an international student, describe your experiences within your culture of origin and your interactions with individuals and groups from other cultures. If your situation does not fit any of the above, please talk with your instructor about how to address this question.

c. What ethnic and cultural traditions and values do you still practice in your family and why? What traditions and values do you have that are separate or different from your family and why?

2. Cross-cultural Interactions: Privilege, Discrimination, and Worldview:

a. Describe one instance where you experienced privilege and one where you experienced a disadvantage. Explain how these experiences shaped your worldview and influenced cross-cultural interactions given your social identities (e.g., race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion, class). For this assignment, privilege is defined as: a special advantage, immunity, permission, right, or benefit granted to or enjoyed by majority group members that was not earned and is usually taken for granted by recipients. The advantage can be due to race, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, ability or ability level, citizenship, and much more.

b. In describing your privileged and disadvantaged experiences, discuss your thoughts and feelings surrounding both of these instances. c. Describe at least one situation where you felt discriminated against. Describe your thoughts and feelings surrounding this situation(s). d. Describe how you view cultures and worldviews that are different from your own. For instance, what cultural differences are easiest for you to

accept? What cultural differences are hardest for you to accept? What specific factors and experiences have shaped your viewpoint? How has your viewpoint influenced your life on a personal level?

FO703 Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling Signature Assignment Details and Rubric

e. Describe how your viewpoint impacts your professional development. What are your growth edges for becoming a culturally competent and culturally humble practitioner, and how do you plan on addressing them?

3. Resolving Issues: Integrating an Ethical Decision Making Model:

a. Provide a well-written and detailed summary about a situation where you felt discriminated against. The situation can relate to you as a student or professional. It can happen within a counseling session with a client, supervisory relationship with a supervisor or instructor, peer or colleague, or a boss at a job. This situation can be hypothetical or one that actually occurred. If the latter, please do not use any identifiable information of persons involved. In your summary, clearly identify what made you feel discriminated against and how you handled or resolved it.

b. Please also identify the ethical dilemma(s) or issues that the situation posed for you or the other person. Use the American Counseling Association (ACA) Ethics Code as your reference. Identify an ethical decision making model that you learned in the Ethics course to further identify the ethical issue(s) and resolve them in a step-wise manner. It is recommended that you clearly identify and thoroughly address each step of the ethical decision making model to think through and resolve all applicable considerations.

The paper should be an integrative, critical review of the above areas and must be written in APA format, including references, citations, and relevant ethical codes. The specific due date is in the syllabus. The grading rubric for this assignment is as follows, totaling 100 points.

Criteria/Points Does Not Meet Criteria Somewhat Lacking Meets Criteria Diversity: Personal Identity: Ethnic Background and State of Identity Development (30 points)

Does not recognize personal racial/ethnic identity as being multifaceted and focuses on only one or a few aspects of profile. Provides surface exploration of ancestry and fails to use references. Provides little to no reflection of how ethnicity is experienced today or fails to recognize self as cultural being. Fails to include course concepts and scholarly references with minimal to no self- reflections. (0-23.5 pts)

Addresses personal racial/ethnic identity. Identifies ancestry or likely ancestry using minimal references to research cultural history of ancestors in U.S. or explores to minimal extent. Makes connections to how ancestry has impacted identity today. Includes some course concepts and perhaps minimal scholarly references and some self- reflections. (24-26.5 pts)

Addresses personal racial/ethnic identities in depth. Identifies ancestry or likely ancestry and researches cultural history of ancestors in the U.S. (if applicable). Explores how ancestors interacted with other cultural groups, including discussion of migration experience, prejudices, stressors, assimilation/acculturation, etc. Includes appropriate course concepts and integrates scholarly research from outside of course. Effort in this category was exceptional and the student provided detailed self- reflections. (27-30 pts)

Diversity: Personal Identity: Privilege, Discrimination, Experience and Worldview (30 points)

Misapplies the term “privilege.” Provides overly vague example(s) and/or denies privilege. Fails to explore racial/ethnic privilege or other aspects of privilege as relevant. Misapplies the term “minority.” Fails to provide examples or provides vague examples. Fails to apply example to understanding of minority experience. Fails to recognize cultural and worldview differences. Fails to recognize that one’s viewpoint regarding differences has a personal/professional impact on self/others. Provides vague examples and minimal to no reflections. (0-23.5 pts)

Shows basic understanding of the term “privilege.” Provides more than one example of privilege. Addresses different forms of privilege including race-related. Understands the term “minority” and applies it correctly. Examples are adequate, with some use of experience in deepening understanding of other minority groups. Recognizes there are cultural differences and differing worldviews. Provides specific examples from everyday life with a moderate amount of explanation and reflection. (24-26.5 pts)

Understands concept of “privilege” fully. Provides a number of specific examples. Addresses different forms of privilege, including, but not limited to racial privilege (as relevant). Clearly recognizes the impact of privilege in regard to power and oppression. Explores and relates experiences, attributes, or personal identification that has allowed him/her/they to enjoy being both privileged and disadvantaged. Recognizes impact of privilege and explores own role as member of privileged group. Demonstrates insight into how such power differentials affect groups and maintain inequality. Clear understanding of the term “minority” and appropriate application. Explores a situation where he/she/they was discriminated against and applied this to an understanding of minority experience. In-depth exploration of experience and ability to apply to other groups. Recognizes there are cultural differences and differing worldviews. Recognizes that one’s worldview and insight regarding differences impacts self/others. Clearly connects how such differences impact personal development and how they will shape professional practice. (27-30 pts)

FO703 Social and Cultural Foundations in Counseling Signature Assignment Details and Rubric

Criteria/Points Does Not Meet Criteria Somewhat Lacking Meets Criteria Ethics & Intervention/ Relationship: Professional Development, Resolving Issues by Integrating an Ethical Decision Making Model (30 points)

Refers to ethical code but chosen standards/principles are not always relevant to situation(s) described. At least one irrelevant standard/principle is described. Sufficient insight for a Masters-level student is lacking. Is more reactive than proactive to rapport building and consultation in unfamiliar intercultural interactions. Student needs repeated prompting and mentoring on how to research and consult with others on solutions for how to handle situation. (0-23.5 pts)

Identifies an ethical decision-making model and relevant ACA standards/principles, but analysis lacks depth. There is sufficient insight, but may not know how to professionally address issues independently. Recognizes benefits of consultation and relationship building in intercultural relations. Student is willing to research alternative solutions to situation. Student is aware of own values and biases, but may need to be reminded not to impose them on others. (24-26.5 pts)

Refers to and effectively applies specific ethical decision-making model and ACA ethical standards/principles when resolving interpersonal dilemmas relating to relationships with others from diverse backgrounds. Recognizes benefits of proactive consultation and relationship building in intercultural relations. Utilization of ethics code is detailed and analysis is critical and thorough. Insightful to biases and addresses them deliberately. Student independently researches appropriate interventions/resolutions for situation. Student routinely integrates data from multiple relevant sources, uses evidence from professional literature, and integrates diversity variables to clearly identify intervention strategies that are appropriate for the client/consumers and degree program. Student is aware of and avoids imposing their own values and attitudes on others. (27-30 pts)

Grammar/ Organization (10 points)

Lack of structure detracts from the points of the paper. Text and references are not in APA style. Paragraphs, topic sentences, and transitions are disjointed. Paper contains numerous grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Overall, errors interfere greatly with the readability of the paper. (0-7.5 pts)

Structure of the paper is somewhat hard to follow. APA style with several errors in text and/or references. Paragraphs, topic sentences, and transitions need improvement. Paper contains some grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Overall, errors interfere somewhat with the readability of the paper. (8-8.5 pts)

Structure of the paper is clear. APA style used with minimal errors in text and/or references. Paragraphs, topic sentences, and transitions are logical and flow well. Minimal grammatical, punctuation, and spelling errors. Overall, errors do not interfere with the readability of the paper. (9-10 pts)