A. Aims of Assignment The aim of this assignment is to encourage you to reflect

A. Aims of Assignment
The aim of this assignment is to encourage you to reflect on how your diversity and life experiences have influenced various dimensions of your professional development. Specifically, the assignment asks that you assess different aspects of your intercultural competence in general and as it relates to your area of specialization. Based on this assessment, the assignment also asks that you develop a learning plan that will form a foundation for your professional development this semester.
B. Format & Approach
The assignment consists of three parts. The first part of the assignment consists of a reflection on your professional aspirations and intercultural competence. The second part asks that you describe the kinds of people, values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that have made you feel uncomfortable or unsafe in your personal and professional lives. In Part 3, you are asked to develop a learning plan to enhance your intercultural competence, when working with those that you find uncomfortable or unsafe, in the professional setting that you aspire to practice in after graduation.
PART 1. REFLECTION ON PROFESSIONAL GOALS AND INTERCULTURAL COMPETENCE
(30 POINTS)
Instructions
First, carefully review the NASW Code of Ethics and the CSWE Educational Policies and Accreditation Standards andreflect on your professional interest and goals. Then use course concepts, readings and materials to thoughtfully address each item below. The number of points possible for each item is indicated within or at the end of the item. Please adhere to graduate level writing mechanics and APA citation formatting (append any references you might have to the end of the assignment worksheet). Please limit your responses to ONE PARAGRAPH per item or question.
PART 2. SELF-ASSESSMENT OF COMFORT AND SAFETY
(25 POINTS)
Instructions
This part of the assignment addresses the cognitive and affective responses dimension of intercultural competence. It requires you to reflect deeply and honestly. You should find this reflection challenging and it may stir up emotions for you. We believe this reflection is essential to your growth as a professional social worker. Although you are being asked to reflect, you are still expected to draw from course concepts, readings and materials when addressing each item or question. As described earlier in the Assignment Guidelines, please adhere to graduate level writing mechanics and APA citation formatting (append any references to the end of the assignment worksheet). Please limit your responses to ONE PARAGRAPH per item or question, unless otherwise instructed.
Think about the kinds of people, values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that have made you feel uncomfortable in your personal and professional lives. Also, think about the people, values, beliefs, attitudes, and behaviors that have made you feel unsafe. For example, you might feel uncomfortable with people who have particular sexual orientations or with people who have ethnic backgrounds different from yours. Perhaps, you feel unsafe to be around people who hold certain political or spiritual views.
PART 3. INDIVIDUALIZED LEARNING PLAN
(45 POINTS)
Instructions
In this final part of the assignment, we ask that you think back to what you reflected on and wrote about in Parts 1 and 2 of the assignment. We also ask that you reflect again on your professional goals and the type of social work position you would like to obtain immediately following graduation.
Now imagine yourself working in the position you would like to obtain immediately following graduation.
Imagine that you have a new client. Imagine that your client has the characteristics or qualities that make you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, but you are committed to being the best social worker possible and to helping your client.
Individualized Learning Plan Guidelines
To enhance your intercultural competence and your ability to work effectively with the kind of client that makes you feel uncomfortable or unsafe, you are asked to develop a learning plan that you will carry out this semester. The learning is unique to you, individualized to reflect your professional goals, interests, and learning needs. When formulating your plan, please integrate course concepts, readings and materials, and adhere to graduate level writing mechanics and APA citation format (remember to add new citations to your reference list).
Please use the table on the following page to lay out your learning plan. In the table, please specify (a) at least one professional development goal for each competency dimension (i.e., values, knowledge, skills, cognitive & affective responses) , (b) strategies and activities for achieving those goal(s), (c) target dates to complete your strategies and activities, and (d) indicators of change and achievement.