Assignment 2: Putting Values into Action

COMM 105: Values, Ethics, and Community

Purpose:

Values lay the foundation for your notions of how you should behave, but they do not necessarily dictate how you will behave. The future you envision for yourself is unlikely to materialize unless you make an effort to put your values into action. This assignment urges you to clarify the steps needed to craft a life and a career that best express your values.

Learning Objectives:

To create an imaginative and accountable representation of your values, goals, habits, and commitment to ethical behaviour, so that you will be inspired to revisit this plan at any time in order to check up on yourself and honour your commitment to a values-driven life.

Guidelines:

It is worth 20% of your overall course grade in COMM 105.

Submit on Canvas through the assignment dropbox. Convert your documents to PDF and combine all parts into a single PDF fi le for upload. Multiple files will not be accepted.

File naming convention: Last5NumbersOfStudent#-Sec#-AssignmentName.pdf (e.g. 12345-Sec101-PuttingValuesIntoAction.pdf)

This is an individual assignment. UBC policies regarding academic integrity and plagiarism apply. You may not work on this project with others.

AI is not permitted for this assignment. You may not use ChatGPT or other large language models for this assignment. The use of AI tools will be considered cheating; see 3.b(iv) of the Vancouver Academic Calendar. Keep all drafts and notes in case you are asked to demonstrate that you created this assignment without AI. Use a word processor that tracks edits (e.g. turn on Track Changes in Microsoft Word, or use Version History in Google Docs, etc.).

Assignment components:

● Page 1: Cover Page

● Page 2-3: Values System Assessment - Schematic and Written Analysis

● Page 4-5: Goal Hierarchy - Schematic and Written Analysis

● Page 6: Habit Change Plan

● Page 7: Personal Ethics Statement

● Page 8+: References List

Instructions:

Page 1: Cover page

Include the assignment title, your COMM 105 section number, and the last five digits of your student number. We will be uploading assignments to Turnitin, so to protect your privacy, please do not include your full name or full student number anywhere in your assignment. View a sample cover page here.

Page 2: Values System Assessment - Schematic

Map the core values you listed in Assignment 1: Discovering Values onto Schwartz’s circumplex model. Identify where in the model each of your values fits best and overlay them onto the template of Schwartz’s model found in Canvas (see the bottom of this document for a refresher on the definition of each value category). Then, below Schwartz’ model, copy your definition of each of your core values from Assignment 1. Your mapping of values should be self-evident; do not describe why you put each value in each of Schwartz’ categories.

Note: You may revise the values that you listed in Assignment 1, and if you do, please include an additional sentence at the bottom of this page explaining why you decided to make this change (this explanation does not count towards your word count).

Page 3: Values System Assessment - Written Analysis (300 word maximum)

Provide an overall assessment of the consistency of your core value system. How likely do you think you are to experience tension between your values on a day-to-day basis, based on what the Schwartz model is telling you? Consistency refers to when your actions in your day-to-day life align with multiple values. Tension refers to when your actions would make it difficult for you to hold true to multiple values at the same time. In other words, to what extent can you live your life in a way that allows you to put your values into action without them clashing?

Then, identify the two values you think have the greatest potential for tension in future situations, and give a specific hypothetical scenario where they might conflict. Consider actions or behaviours that would make it difficult for you to hold true to both of those values. Values do not necessarily need to be opposite in Schwartz’ model to cause tension.

Page 4: Goal Hierarchy - Schematic

Create a goal hierarchy schematic, representing three of your most important SMART goals at the top of the hierarchy. These goals should be personally meaningful to you, whether they are outcomes that you hope to achieve or things you want to do. There is no minimum or maximum time-limit for your goals - they might take a month, a year, a decade, or more to achieve.

The goal hierarchy should have two layers of sub-goals below the top-level goals (i.e. three layers of goals). Include 3 high-level goals, 4-5 mid-level goals, and 5-7 low-level goals. It’s up to you to determine how your goals link across levels. Cross-linkages (connecting multiple goals from one level to a goal of another level) are not necessary, but if natural cross-linkages between your goals exist, please indicate this in your diagram. This page may be formatted in landscape orientation. View a template here.

Page 5: Goal Hierarchy - Written Analysis (300 word maximum)

Include a written rationale for why you structured your goal hierarchy the way you did (i.e., the way it is organized into different levels and the way the goals are connected between levels).

In other words, what are the properties of your hierarchy that make it more likely that you will achieve your higher-level goals? Clearly refer to course concepts from our Self-regulation, Goals, and Habits lesson. Although not required, incorporating external research from academic sources (e.g. research around goal setting, goal hierarchies, or self-regulation) is a plus.

Page 6: Habit Change Plan (400 word maximum)

List three habits that you could develop to help you achieve some of the goals you listed above, and identify which goal(s) these habits are meant to support. Then, briefly describe a plan for how you will develop those new habits by using the habit cycle that was discussed in class. These habits may be low-level goals from your goal hierarchy, or they may be other habits that are related to the goals you have set.

Your answer should clearly demonstrate an understanding of how the habit cycle works, including a description of each component of the cycle (cue, routine, and reward) for each habit.

Page 7: Personal Ethics Statement (450 word maximum)

Commit to making a difference at UBC Sauder by creating a personal ethics statement. This is a good time to recognize and declare that the only person who controls your behaviour and your experience is you, and that you can have a profound impact on others at our school.

First, write an overview describing why acting morally is uniquely important to you.

● Reference at least one of your core values to illustrate why you strive to be a moral person. We are not asking you to define your morals here; instead, we want you to describe why you strive to be moral.

● Moral transgressions can be categorized as forms of lying, cheating, and stealing. Describe which of these three transgressions you strive to avoid most, and why.

Then, outline one specific, hypothetical ethical dilemma that you might face during your time at Sauder, Describe why acting ethically in this situation could be difficult. Identify 3-5 specific steps you would take (both internally and behaviourally) to be proud of your response to the dilemma.

● Obviously, you will be making this up. However, imagining the kinds of ethical quandaries you are likely to face in the future, and how you will specifically deal with them, is a crucial step in your ethical development and preparation.

● Make sure this ethical dilemma is significant. Smaller dilemmas (e.g. “Last week I should have composted my banana peel instead of putting it in the trash”) have less value.

● Incorporate course concept(s) from the framework for moral decision-making introduced in our Behavioural Ethics 1 lessons in your framing of the ethical dilemma. Remember that ethics are rules of conduct for a group, and our group is the UBC Sauder School of Business, so you may find it useful to review UBC Sauder’s Statement of Professionalism, which outlines your ethical expectations as a business student.

● Hint: An ethical dilemma is where you have to decide between “right” and “wrong”. While values may guide your morals, an ethical dilemma is not the same as values tension.

Page 8+: References List

This assignment does not require outside research or materials, but if you choose to do so, here is some guidance:

● Format all in-text citations and references using APA style, 7th edition. Citations are required when you directly quote outside sources, paraphrase ideas from outside sources, or use data or information from outside sources that is not common knowledge.

● Clip-art or stock images, such as those provided in design programs such as Canva, are generally royalty-free and do not need to be cited unless otherwise stated. Any other images or external materials you find on the internet must include an in-text citation and be included in this References List. In-text citations for external images should be placed next to the image.

● Class materials and course concepts (e.g. from prep materials, video lectures, or lecture slides) do not need an APA citation or reference as long as you are not directly quoting from these materials. However, you must bold and italicize each course concept or framework that you reference in your work. For example, “I believe my biggest ethical challenge will be denial of responsibility, because…“

● Citations do not contribute to word counts.

There is no limit to the number of pages of your References List. If you do not reference outside sources, you do not need to include a References List.

It is your responsibility to learn how to use the APA format. Assignments that are inadequately referenced (either lacking detail or using improper format) may be returned for correction and will be subject to penalties, including possible academic misconduct investigations.