Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Introduction to Human Values (Hybrid)

HU 3100-31Y

Course: HU 3100-31Y
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: INDS
CRN: 32496

Course Description

This interdisciplinary course introduces ideas which best exemplify the human condition and the values which help to define it. Students will explore a theme presented by the annual Tanner Lecturer in Human Values while studying that concept in various critical and literary texts. Topics will vary based on an annual theme. Required for the Certificate of Human Values. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None Equivalent Course(s): HU 6100

Required Texts

The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness

9780553446562

By Smith, Emily Esfahani

Published By Crown/Archetype

Publication Date: Sep. 5, 2017

Man’s Search for Meaning

9780807014271

By Frankl, Viktor

Published by Beacon Hill Press

Publication Date: June 1, 2006


Learning Outcomes

Written Communication

Students will be able to reflect on the concept of human values in literary, historical, or
philosophical contexts.

Critical Thinking

Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills to interpret aspects of human values in
specific texts;

Civic Knowledge and Engagement

Students will be able to discuss contemporary issues regarding human values with their peers and
experts in the field through discussion groups and guest lectures

Course Requirements

Read

•“An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values”

https://scholarworks.gvsu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1116&context=orpc

Man’s Search for Meaning

Viktor Frankl

The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness

Emily Esfahani Smith


View – Ted Talks

The following TED Talks on the topic of “Building Cultures of Meaning”:

- There's More to Life than Happiness" by Emily Esfahani Smith

https://www.ted.com/speakers/emily_esfahani_smith

- "The lies our culture tells us about what matters—and a better way to live"

David Brooks

https://www.ted.com/talks/david_brooks_the_lies_our_culture_tells_us_about_what_matter

s_and_a_better_way_to_live/transcript?language=en

Attend

- The Fall 2025 Grace A. Tanner Center Lecture in for Human Values 

-  Tanner Center Talks

- One Dinner and Dialogue 

View Past Grace A. Tanner Lectures 

Available through the assignments

View – Documentaries and films:

1. "This is Utah: If You Build It"

https://video.pbsutah.org/video/if-you-build-it-4svfsh/


2. Hidden Figures
 
(Film)

Available on Amazon Prime (Links to an external site.) for $3.99

Available on Disney+ (Links to an external site.) for $7.99/month subscription or if you

already have a subscription.

3. This Changes Everything, Documentary

https://www.amazon.com/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.a0b60355-d5d9-4672-73c6-

4fa242657629?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wbLinks to an external site.

$3.99

Write

1. Reflection Papers (2 pages, double-spaced)

2. Response Paper (4 pages, double-spaced)

3. Additional short writing assignments

4. Responses to Discussion Questions

Pillars of Meaning Passport

- Create a Pillars of Meaning Passport by attending various events pertaining to Human Values.

Final Presentation

- Give a Final Presentation to the class.

Course Outline

Unit I (Modules 1-4, Aug. 28-Oct. 9)
We will use the essay "An Overview of the Schwartz Theory of Basic Values" as well as Emily Esfahani Smith's book The Power of Meaning: Finding Fulfillment in a World Obsessed with Happiness as the basis for exploring the concept of human values.
We will also discuss the following text:
Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning
We will attend the 2025 Grace A. Tanner Lecture on Human Values 

Unit II (Modules 5-9, Oct. 14-Nov. 6):
We will build on the readings of from Unit I to apply the concept of Human Values to readings that explore the following concepts:
  1.  How do various Schwartz's values interact or come in conflict with each other? 
2. How are Schwartz's identified Values manifested in past Grace A. Tanner Lectures as well as in films and documentaries

Unit III (Modules 10-14, Nov. 11-Dec. 4):
We will focus on the exploring the theme of "Building Cultures of Meaning"  through a Grace A. Tanner Lecture, a visit to the Southern Utah Museum of Art, and a Tanner Center Talk. We will also focus on the Pillars of Meaning Passport, as well as your final presentation.
 

Instructor's policies on late assignments and/or makeup work


Late Work

All of your assignments are to be submitted on Canvas by the start of class time. Please do not

submit your assignments after class. Any assignments submitted after the deadline will be given

half credit. I am sensitive to the fact that health issues may arise during this semester. If that is

the case, simply send me a brief email informing me as such and I will work with you on

extending deadlines.

Generative AI

This course assumes that work submitted by students—all process work, drafts, final versions,

and all other submissions—will be generated by the students themselves, working individually or

in groups. This means that the following would be considered violations of academic integrity: a

student has another person/entity do the writing of any portion of an assignment for them, which

includes hiring a person or a company to write essays, poems, drafts and/or other assignments,

research-based or otherwise, and using artificial intelligence affordances like ChatGPT.

(Excerpted from ChatGPT by University of California: Irvine Division of Teaching Excellence

and Innovation)

Attendance Policy

 If you have FOUR absences that are unexcused and you have not

spoken with me about your absences, your grade will be lowered by third and will continue to be

lowered with each additional absence. If there is a situation or a health concern that is preventing you from attending class consistently,

please speak with me about it.


Course Fees

There are no course fees.

ADA Statement

Students with medical, psychological, learning, or other disabilities desiring academic adjustments, accommodations, or auxiliary aids will need to contact the Disability Resource Center, located in Room 206F of the Sharwan Smith Center or by phone at (435) 865-8042. The Disability Resource Center determines eligibility for and authorizes the provision of services.

If your instructor requires attendance, you may need to seek an ADA accommodation to request an exception to this attendance policy. Please contact the Disability Resource Center to determine what, if any, ADA accommodations are reasonable and appropriate.

Academic Credit

According to the federal definition of a Carnegie credit hour: A credit hour of work is the equivalent of approximately 60 minutes of class time or independent study work. A minimum of 45 hours of work by each student is required for each unit of credit. Credit is earned only when course requirements are met. One (1) credit hour is equivalent to 15 contact hours of lecture, discussion, testing, evaluation, or seminar, as well as 30 hours of student homework. An equivalent amount of work is expected for laboratory work, internships, practica, studio, and other academic work leading to the awarding of credit hours. Credit granted for individual courses, labs, or studio classes ranges from 0.5 to 15 credit hours per semester.

Academic Freedom

SUU is operated for the common good of the greater community it serves. The common good depends upon the free search for truth and its free exposition. Academic Freedom is the right of faculty to study, discuss, investigate, teach, and publish. Academic Freedom is essential to these purposes and applies to both teaching and research.

Academic Freedom in the realm of teaching is fundamental for the protection of the rights of the faculty member and of you, the student, with respect to the free pursuit of learning and discovery. Faculty members possess the right to full freedom in the classroom in discussing their subjects. They may present any controversial material relevant to their courses and their intended learning outcomes, but they shall take care not to introduce into their teaching controversial materials which have no relation to the subject being taught or the intended learning outcomes for the course.

As such, students enrolled in any course at SUU may encounter topics, perspectives, and ideas that are unfamiliar or controversial, with the educational intent of providing a meaningful learning environment that fosters your growth and development. These parameters related to Academic Freedom are included in SUU Policy 6.6.

Academic Misconduct

Scholastic honesty is expected of all students. Dishonesty will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent (see SUU Policy 6.33). You are expected to have read and understood the current SUU student conduct code (SUU Policy 11.2) regarding student responsibilities and rights, the intellectual property policy (SUU Policy 5.52), information about procedures, and what constitutes acceptable behavior.

Please Note: The use of websites or services that sell essays is a violation of these policies; likewise, the use of websites or services that provide answers to assignments, quizzes, or tests is also a violation of these policies. Regarding the use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI), you should check with your individual course instructor.

Emergency Management Statement

In case of an emergency, the University's Emergency Notification System (ENS) will be activated. Students are encouraged to maintain updated contact information using the link on the homepage of the mySUU portal. In addition, students are encouraged to familiarize themselves with the Emergency Response Protocols posted in each classroom. Detailed information about the University's emergency management plan can be found at https://www.suu.edu/emergency.

HEOA Compliance Statement

For a full set of Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) compliance statements, please visit https://www.suu.edu/heoa. The sharing of copyrighted material through peer-to-peer (P2P) file sharing, except as provided under U.S. copyright law, is prohibited by law; additional information can be found at https://my.suu.edu/help/article/1096/heoa-compliance-plan.

You are also expected to comply with policies regarding intellectual property (SUU Policy 5.52) and copyright (SUU Policy 5.54).

Mandatory Reporting

University policy (SUU Policy 5.60) requires instructors to report disclosures received from students that indicate they have been subjected to sexual misconduct/harassment. The University defines sexual harassment consistent with Federal Regulations (34 C.F.R. Part 106, Subpart D) to include quid pro quo, hostile environment harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, and stalking. When students communicate this information to an instructor in-person, by email, or within writing assignments, the instructor will report that to the Title IX Coordinator to ensure students receive support from the Title IX Office. A reporting form is available at https://cm.maxient.com/reportingform.php?SouthernUtahUniv

Non-Discrimination Statement

SUU is committed to fostering an inclusive community of lifelong learners and believes our university's encompassing of different views, beliefs, and identities makes us stronger, more innovative, and better prepared for the global society.

SUU does not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, citizenship, sex (including sex discrimination and sexual harassment), sexual orientation, gender identity, age, ancestry, disability status, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, military status, veteran status, or other bases protected by applicable law in employment, treatment, admission, access to educational programs and activities, or other University benefits or services.

SUU strives to cultivate a campus environment that encourages freedom of expression from diverse viewpoints. We encourage all to dialogue within a spirit of respect, civility, and decency.

For additional information on non-discrimination, please see SUU Policy 5.27 and/or visit https://www.suu.edu/nondiscrimination.

Pregnancy

Students who are or become pregnant during this course may receive reasonable modifications to facilitate continued access and participation in the course. Pregnancy and related conditions are broadly defined to include pregnancy, childbirth, termination of pregnancy, lactation, related medical conditions, and recovery. To obtain reasonable modifications, please make a request to title9@suu.edu. To learn more visit: https://www.suu.edu/titleix/pregnancy.html.

Disclaimer Statement

Information contained in this syllabus, other than the grading, late assignments, makeup work, and attendance policies, may be subject to change with advance notice, as deemed appropriate by the instructor.