Overview
- Students will write a 5-6 page REFLECTION paper examining the types of clientele they might find particularly challenging, stimulating, and beneficial to work with due to their own background, values, and relationship style. The population I would like to be written about is the undocumented population. Although, I of course, have empathy, I don't feel educated enough with resources, etc.
- The paper should address the following:
- Self-assessment of beginning cultural competence: This would require you to (a) Describe the level of competence you had when you started the course and (b) Identify which experiences have mainly shaped your views of your own culture and the culture of others. Cite from your textbook and academic literature; use relevant theoretical concepts in your analysis (i.e., culturally grounded theory, intersectionality, critical race theory, socio-ecological model, etc.). Textbook is: Marsiglia, F. F., Kulis, S. S., & Lechuga-Peña, S. (2021). Diversity, oppression, and change: Culturally grounded social work. Oxford University Press. ISBN: 9780190059507. Please cite with page numbers!
- Main concepts you have learned in this course: This would require you to (a) Highlight succinctly the things you learned while participating in this course that were most meaningful to you, (b) Make a clear distinction between what you already knew and where that knowledge came from, (c) Identify which theories, concepts, lessons challenged your preconceived, and (d) Identify which themes, concepts, theories, etc., piqued your curiosity and made you want to understand more. Consider what made you pause and create questions that merited further investigation and understanding.
- Explore what this reflection means for your SW practice (clients you are now more equipped to work with): This would require you to (a) Consider what types of clients you can help with your new understanding, (b) Discuss how/what you learned about values, cultures, and theories regarding the types of clients you feel more equipped to work with (c) Explore how employing culturally grounded social work theory can assist you in furthering your learning with these types of clients.
- Explore what this reflection means for your SW practice (clients you are NOT entirely equipped to work with): This would require you to (a) Describe any population with which it may be difficult for you to work, (b) Critically analyze the reasons for this limitation, (c) Explore whether this is something that you are ready and equipped to overcome, and why or why not, and (d) Examine two ways you could do something to make it easier for you to work with this population once you’re ready and equipped to do so.
- What more do you need to know?: This would require you to (a) Describe what more you want to learn about 2 diverse populations/cultures that you would want to know more about and (b) Discuss how knowledge could be effectively acquired about these populations/cultures (to identify their societal needs, what resources are available to them, etc.).
- Create an Action Plan: This would require you to (a) List and describe three to five actions that are reasonable and feasible for you to do that will increase your understanding of the 2 diverse populations/cultures you listed above and (b) Identify minimally 2 theories, lenses, perspectives, etc. you can apply to help you increase your understanding of the above-mentioned diverse populations/cultures.
Additional Instructions:
- The paper must be no less than 5 full pages and no more than 6 full pages; double-spaced, 12pt font with 1-inch margins on all sides of the paper.
- Students must cite at least 4 peer-reviewed sources
- The paper must adhere to APA citation, styling, and formatting guidelines. Please refer to the assignment rubric for additional grading criteria