SOW 5132 – Social Work with Diverse Populations

Ethnography of Self Paper (25 points)

Personal Identity and Social Work Practice
Guidelines and Grading Matrix

Learning Objectives:
1. Students will explore the formation of their own racial/cultural identities.
2. Students will demonstrate an understanding of prejudice and privilege.
3. Students will reflect on their personal values in relation to NASW Standards for
Cultural Competence.
4. Students will demonstrate effective written expression through clear and proper
presentation of ideas.

Paper Content and Format:

Requirements: 8-10 double-spaced pages, Times New Roman 12 point font with 1-inch
margins. Paper format and references should follow APA format. While students are
encouraged to use readings from class, there should be at least 5 sources from the peer-
reviewed literature that were not used in class readings. Use UCF online Library and/or
Google Scholar to locate articles

APA Help: http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/560/06/

I. Exploration of Cultural Identity Formation

II. Impact of Prejudice and Privilege
III. My Cultural Competence
IV. My Plan to Increase Culture Competence

We bring our background, personal worldview and values to the social work profession.
This assignment is designed to help students explore their own racial/cultural identity
formations. Reflect on own racial/ethnic cultural identity and intersectionality (race,
class, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, ability, age, religion/spirituality). Apply
information from your assigned readings (including Chapters 6 and 7 of Sue, Rasheed &
Rasheed textbook), classroom activities and your understanding of culture,
discrimination, prejudice and privilege.

Exploration of Cultural Identity Formation

1. Describe your racial/ethnic and cultural background (race, class, ethnicity, age,
gender, sexual orientation, religion and belief systems), include intersecting
identities/oppressions and explain how your formed your cultural identity. Review:
Sue, Rasheed and Rasheed Textbook, Chapters 6 & 7 on Racial Cultural Identity
formation and race/ethnicity worksheet completed in class.
2. What are your multiple identities and where do they intersect?
3. Are there identities you wear at different times due to comfort, safety, etc.?
4. What are the sources of cohesion, strength, stress, discord and strife that are evident
as the result of your multiple identities?
5. Do you see yourself and your multiple identities mirrored in literature and in the
media? Is it accurate or inaccurate and what is that like for you?
6. What did you learn about race from your family when you were little? How does that
message affect you now?
7. Within your home, were there implicit or explicit rules of behavior for your gender,
age etc.? How has this impacted how you present yourself? How has it impacted your
worldview around these identities?
8. What impact do your identities have on your communication and understanding of
how you might work with people of other identities? In other words, how will your
identities get in the way of your work with your client(s)?

Impact of Discrimination, Prejudice and Privilege

1. How do you think your multiple identities will impact your social work practice?
2. Describe a past instance of discrimination, privilege and/or prejudice (racism,
classism, sexism, homophobia, xenophobia, ableism, ageism etc.), which occurred at
school or work. How did you feel about it then and how do you feel about it now?
3. How can you use this experience for future social work practice?
My Cultural Competence

1. Reflect on the process of writing this paper – what areas were most challenging to
write about?
2. What were your “triggers”? Did you feel defensive?
3. Did you feel yourself pushback against certain themes and narratives?
4. How did you push through with your writing?

My Plan to Increase Culture Competence

1. Using examples from classroom activities and course readings, evaluate your cultural
competence.
2. List any areas for improvement and your plan for improvement of culture
competence?