Chvez and Longerbeam (2016) noted that only if we journey deep within own cultural identities can we understand how those cultures influence us which in turn promotes our professional competence. When thinking of engaging our future participants, we need to be aware of how we as the professional influence the working relationship. The first step is to do the work of critical self-awareness (outlined in Module 1). Real awareness is not where the end is full of rainbows or even a finish line. There is no final destination. The purpose of this assignment is to have you begin to engage in critical self-reflection and to begin to recognize the influence this will have on your working relationships. We may be in different locations on our developmental journey and it is important to begin to stretch our reflection skills and look deep into how we present in the world; a reflection on our own identities and our positionality. Use multiple means of information gathering and reflection to help you explore your identity through this guided writing exercise.
Supports Course Objectives:
Use reflection and self-regulation to manage personal values and maintain professionalism in practice situations (Competency 1.2)
Apply self-awareness and self-regulation to manage the influence of personal biases and values in working with diverse clients and constituencies (Competency 2.3)
Consider the following dimensions (Finn, 2021):
Race/skin color/nationality
Gender and gender expression
Socioeconomic class
Sexual orientation
Religion/spiritual belief system
Ability
In your reflection, attend to the following areas:
A reflection on the 6 dimensions
Name how you identify for each dimension (can be in list or narrative form for this question)
How have meanings related to these dimensions developed for you?
How have these facets of identity changed over time for you?
How do these meanings impact your understanding of difference?
A reflection on the one dimension that you feel is the most important OR the dimension that has been the most invisible and thus taken for granted and the impact of the dimension your professional growth/development.
Describe new insights you gained from this reflection
Describe the implications of your insights and identities/positionality for your social work practice.
Assignment Details:
Include and follow APA (see 7th) title page, page numbers (upper right-hand corner), headings, citations/references if applicable (include an outside source) – title/reference page not included in page limit
APA also includes:
Use of 12-point Times New Roman or 11 point Georgia, Arial, or Calibri
double-spaced, 1 margins
page limits (no more than 6 pages)
Quality writing is an expectation in the social work profession, so make sure to proofread your paper before submitting it. First person writing is expected in this essay.
Grading for this assignment is complete/incomplete.
If you attend to each prompt, with noticeable depth and completeness to the question asked and full assignment details (see table below), you will earn a complete and the full points attached to the assignment.
If you do not attend to all prompts or assignment details or do so in a minimal/cursory manner, you will earn an incomplete and partial points (C grade). You will have the opportunity to revise and resubmit for full points.
If you do not attend to most of the prompts or assignment details or do so in a very superficial manner, you will earn an incomplete and no points for the assignment.
