Describe common rites of passage from two cultures around the world and compare them to a common American rite of passage. 

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We have learned that adolescence is a time of transition between childhood and adulthood. A critical milestone of this stage is the ability to successfully achieve a sense of identity. Around the world, there are different rites of passage to mark the transition to adulthood. In the United States, this might include obtaining a driver’s license, landing one’s first job, senior prom, or high school graduation. In this assignment, we will explore the role that family and society play in the development of the individual’s sense of self.

By the due date assigned, create two documents for parents of minority teens 1) A 9-slide PowerPoint presentation (complete with speaker’s notes) and 2) an accompanying 1page handout/flier in Word document or PDF format. Be sure that both illustrate the following:

  1. Describe common rites of passage from two cultures around the world and compare them to a common American rite of passage.  Possible resources might include National Geographicand the Argosy University Online Library.
  2. Compare and contrast these rites to common US rites of passage. Do they coincide with the physical, cognitive, or socioemotional changes taking place at this age? Describe which specific changes (physical, cognitive, or socioemotional) they coincide with. Does this explain their importance in a particular culture?
  3. How might such a social ritual, such as a rite of passage, influence the identity formation process of adolescents?
  4. In light of Erikson and Marcia’s theories, discuss how the process of identity development is affected when the adolescent belongs to a minority group (racial, ethnic, sexual, or religious). Be sure to explain these theories and how they apply to identity development.
  5. Summarize research from at least two peer-reviewed* studies on the effect of minority status on identity development, ensuring you describe the main findings of the study as well as the research methods used to study the topic.
  6. Apply the information you gathered from the online notes, textbook, and research articles to provide at least three practical recommendations for what the family, school, and community can do to ease the process for adolescents.

*Peer-reviewed means an article from a reputable journal, which can be found in the Argosy University Online Library. Peer reviewed indicates that other professionals in the field have reviewed and deemed it worthy of publication, in contrast to much if what we find online: someone posting something he or she wants to, without someone else verifying that the research methods were rigorous enough and the study is valid. Use your textbook and course lectures as your primary resources, as well as articles from the Argosy University Online Library. If you must supplement from a website, do NOT use .coms. Instead, look for .org, .gov, and sometimes .edu for more reputable sources. Never use Wikipedia or about.com.

Study the rubric carefully before you start work and refer to it periodically to complete this assignment.

By the due date assigned, deliver the slideshow and the handout/flier to the Submissions Area.

Assignment 1 Grading CriteriaMaximum Points

  1. Describes common rites of passage from 2 cultures around the world and compares them to a common American rite of passage.
  2. Discusses whether they coincide with particular physical, cognitive, or socioemotional changes taking place at this age and discusses whether this explains their importance in a particular culture.
  3. Analyzes how a social ritual, such as a rite of passage, might influence the identity formation process of adolescents.
  4. Synthesizes Erikson and Marcia’s theories of identity development while analyzing how the process of identity development is affected when the adolescent belongs to a minority group (racial, ethnic, sexual or religious).
  5. Summarizes research from at least two peer-reviewed studies on this issue, by describe the main findings of the study as well as the research methods used to study the topic.
  6. Applied the information gathered to provide at least three practical recommendations for what the family, school and community can do to ease the process for adolescents.
  7. Created a 1–2-page handout/flier that summarizes the information from the presentation as take-home information for the parents.
  8. Style : Tone, audience, and word choice.
  9. Organization: Introduction, transitions, and conclusion
  10. Usage and Mechanics : Grammar, spelling, and sentence structure
  11. APA Elements : In text citations and references, paraphrasing, and appropriate use of quotations and other elements of style

What alternative policy/policies would more effectively address the social problem discussed in the policy analysis while advancing social justice?

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Research one social welfare policy using your textbook, the Argosy University online library resources, and the Internet.

Analyze the policy and address the following:

The social problem addressed by the policy

  1. What is/are the problem/s to be solved in the most fundamental terms?
  2. What is the history of the problem/s in the United States?
  3. What are the various theories about the causes of the problem/s? Based on this, what do you think is/are the most important causes/s of the problem/s?

The policy objectives, value premises, expectation, and target populations

  1. Policy objectives—overt and covert objectives: What are the stated objectives of the policy? In your judgment, what are the covert objectives of the policy?
  2. What are the values underlying the policy objectives? What values are revealed by the overt and covert objectives?
  3. What did the policymakers expect would be the result of the policy?
  4. Target segments of the population at whom policy is aimed: Discuss the direct target of the policy in terms of size and other demographic characteristics. Who are the indirect targets of the policy?

Effects of the policy

  1. Intended effects: What effects did the lawmakers intend?
  2. Unintended effects: What effects did the lawmakers not foresee?
  3. Distinguish between short-range (less than five years) and long-range (over five years) effects of the policy.

Implications of the Policy

  1. Changes in the distribution of material resources: Are there any changes to the distribution of material resources, including income and other tangible benefits, as a result of the policy for direct or indirect target groups?
  2. Changes in distribution of services, rights, and statuses: Are there any changes in services, rights, or statuses as a result of the policy?

Alternative Policies

  1. What alternative policy/policies would more effectively address the social problem discussed in the policy analysis while advancing social justice?

Write a 4–6-page paper in Word format. Apply APA standards to citation of sources. Make sure to include research in addition to the textbook from credible, scholarly sources. Use the following file naming convention: LastnameFirstInitial_M5_A1.doc.

What dimensions of mysticism are appropriate subjects of study in the psychology of religion? What areas of mystical experience pose difficulties for sustained psychological study? 

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Answer any four of the following questions :

1. In describing those instances when religion fails, Kenneth Pargament warns the reader that his evaluation is value laden and that “…value issues cannot be avoided in scientific study, and the psychology of religion and coping is no exception to this rule.” Is Pargament correct that psychology cannot avoid claiming a number of biases? Does science also include bias when addressing its understanding of truth?

2. A number of scholars of American religion including Karen Armstrong have suggested that fundamentalism is a modern phenomenon, drawing from the certainty of the scientific world view and the rationalism that has characterized religion in the West since the Enlightenment. Yet, Pargament describes American Christian fundamentalism as a type of failure suggesting that it has been responsible for creating prejudice and discrimination. Is Pargament correct or, contrary to his beliefs, does fundamentalism represent a successful form of religious coping?

3. What dimensions of mysticism are appropriate subjects of study in the psychology of religion? What areas of mystical experience pose difficulties for sustained psychological study?

4. William James was the first theorist to suggest that religious experience is pluralistic and defined by the role of the individual. Describe the impact of this idea for the study of religion and its implications for other disciplines such as the Anthropology and Sociology of Religion which have understood religion as primarily an aspect of culture and community.

5. In 1965 Harvey Cox wrote The Secular City which described the marginalization of American religion. Almost forty years later, in the wake of 9/11, many Americans have experienced the re-emergence of spirituality in their lives in a time now called post secular. At the same time, many people increasingly distance themselves from organized religion. If we are entering a new period in which the sacred occupies more of a central role in our lives, what does this suggest about the role of both boundaries and orienting systems in American religion? How, in the new American religious landscape, have the boundaries and orienting systems changed?

6. In developing his theoretical approach to coping, Kenneth Pargament builds on the work of a number of other theorists including Viktor Frankl and William James. Explain the connections between these early theorists and Pargament’s approach. Why would Pargament’s work have not been possible without these earlier studies?

7. Imagine that Karl Jung and Kenneth Pargament could have met. If the two theorists sat down together, what would they each have to say about the other’s work as it applies to religion? Specifically, what would Pargament say about the process of individuation, archetypes, and the role of the collective unconscious in human experience? How would Jung feel about orienting systems, the nature of conservation/transformation, and the process of coping as a form of learned behavior?

· Post an explanation of how you might respond to the situation with the 15-year-old boy on the hotline. Include ways your decision may impact the client. 

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Informed Consent

Informed consent means that a social worker or another professional will not intervene in a client’s life or release confidential information about him unless that client has freely consented

— Dolgoff, Harrington, & Loewenberg, 2012, p. 160

Social workers are bound by the NASW Code of Ethics (2008) to provide informed consent with every client. A signed informed consent form protects the client and the social worker. It exemplifies the profession’s respect for its clients, allows for self-determination, and is the cornerstone of good social work practice. Sometimes, though, reporting of confidential information is mandated by law.

· Post a description of the importance of confidentiality when working with your client. How does the principle of confidentiality impact the therapeutic relationship? 

· Then, explain your understanding of mandated reporting and how it empowers vulnerable populations.

References (use 2 or more)

National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp

Reamer, F. G. (2011, November 30). When bad things happen to good social workers: The perils of ethics mistakes. Social Work Today. Retrieved from http://www.socialworktoday.com/news/eoe_113011.shtml

Gutiérrez, L. M. (1995). Understanding the empowerment process: Does consciousness make a difference? Social Work Research, 19(4), 229–237.

Discussion 2:
Dual-Role Relationships

Consider this scenario:

You receive a hotline call at your mental health agency from a client requesting a same-day appointment. You are the only social worker available to work with clients at the time, as your coworker is out of town on vacation for 10 days. A 15-year-old boy struggling with depression (no suicidal ideation) and addiction calls asking for help. While you are gathering information over the phone, you realize that he happens to be the son of a friend. Do you continue the process, planning on providing him with services, or do you refer him to another mental health clinic that is over 30 miles away? Do you make him wait until your coworker returns? Do you contact his parents and tell them he called?

In certain geographical areas there may be limited resources and in turn a lack of opportunities for clients to obtain assistance. In some rural or otherwise isolated areas there might be situations that make it difficult to maintain ideal boundaries due to dual-role relationships. Dual-role relationships exist when a professional fills multiple roles at the same time, a situation that may be unavoidable in certain circumstances.

Understanding the significant impact of a dual-role relationship with a client is important in order to avoid harming the client. Further, recognizing the impact on the client and the relationship will assist in the creation of strong professional boundaries. In these situations, a social worker might feel his or her ability to maintain these boundaries is compromised or may even experience a value dilemma due to the existence of dual-role relationships.

Consider the importance of boundaries in a therapeutic relationship. Think about ways a social worker might violate the NASW Code of Ethics as it pertains to dual-role relationships. Is there ever a situation in which dual-role relationships are acceptable, or even preferable?

· Post an explanation of how you might respond to the situation with the 15-year-old boy on the hotline. Include ways your decision may impact the client. 

· Support your position with references to this week’s resources, professional experience, and additional research. How will you address a possible dual-role relationship?

References (use 3 or more)

Daley, M., R., & Hickman, S. (2011). Dual relations and beyond: Understanding and addressing ethical challenges for rural social work. Journal of Social Work Values and Ethics, 8(1). Retrieved from http://www.socialworker.com/jswve/spr11/spr11daleyhickman.pdf

National Association of Social Workers. (2008). Code of ethics. Retrieved from http://www.socialworkers.org/pubs/code/default.asp

Reamer, F. G. (2011, November 30). When bad things happen to good social workers: The perils of ethics mistakes. Social Work Today. Retrieved from http://www.socialworktoday.com/news/eoe_113011.shtml

Gutiérrez, L. M. (1995). Understanding the empowerment process: Does consciousness make a difference? Social Work Research, 19(4), 229–237.

Reamer, F. G. (2003). Boundary issues in social work: Managing dual relationships, Faculty Publications. Paper 162. Retrieved from https://www.bu.edu/ssw/files/2015/09/Reamer-F.-Boundary-Issues-in-Social-Work-Managing-dual-relationships.pdf

Zur, O., & Lazarus, A. A. (n.d.). Six arguments against dual relationships and their rebuttals. Retrieved from http://www.zurinstitute.com/dualarguments.html