Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Fall Semester 2025

Intro to Human Values (Online)

HU 6100-70I

Course: HU 6100-70I
Credits: 3
Term: Fall Semester 2025
Department: INDS
CRN: 32497

Course Description

This is a foundations course that provides an interdisciplinary introduction to those ideas which best exemplify the human condition and the values which help to define it. Students will explore themes presented by past lecturers of the Tanner Lecture in Human Values while studying that concept in various critical and literary texts. Topics will vary based on annual theme. (Fall) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Registration Restriction(s): None Equivalent Course(s): HU 3100

Required Texts


Learning Outcomes


By the end of this course, you will be able to:

  1. Written Communication: Reflect on the concept of human values in literary, historical, or philosophical contexts
  2. Critical Thinking: Apply critical thinking skills to interpret aspects of human values in specific texts
  3. Civic Knowledge and Engagement: Discuss contemporary issues regarding human values with their peers based on expert guest lectures
  4. Integrative Learning: Synthesize key concepts into a final project. 

Course Requirements

Short Writing Assignments


A response to a reading assignment or lecture comprised of two to three well-developed paragraphs based on assigned questions.

Discussions


A contribution to a discussion question posted online through the Discussion Board.

Reflection Papers


A two-page paper, double-spaced, reflecting on the concept of human values through a personal observation or connection to a reading or lecture based on assigned questions.

Response Papers


A four-page paper, double-spaced, interpreting aspects of human values in an assigned reading or lecture based on assigned questions.

Final Synthesis Paper


A five-seven page paper, double-spaced, that discusses a key concept from Smith’s book in relation to a Tanner Lecture and an assigned reading.

Final Conference


A conference with Dr. Dubrasky during which the student will expand on the ideas of the Final Synthesis paper.


Course Outline

Unit I: Introduction to the Theory of Basic Values and the Power of Meaning Overview
In this first Unit (Modules 1-4), 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 include Viktor Frankl's Man's Search for Meaning.
 
Unit II will build on the readings from Unit I to apply the concept of Human Values to presentations that explore the following concepts:
  1. The role of the Human Values to the idea of a sense of place, the notion of purpose, or sense of community. 
  2.  How Schwartz's values interact or come in conflict with each other
  3. How Schwartz's values and Smith's "Pillars of Meaning" can be applied to Grace A. Tanner Lectures, films, and documentaries  

Unit III  will focus on the exploring the theme of "Building Cultures of Meaning" through a Grace A. Tanner Lecture, a Ted Talk, and a final 5-7 page synthesis paper 






 

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


Student Responsibilities


Assignments are due by the deadlines.  I don't accept late work. If an extenuating circumstance arises that prevents you from turning in the work on time, please contact me and we will work on an extension. 


There is no Make up Work or Extra Credit. Turn in the assignments when they are due.


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)


Since demonstrating your abilities in critical thinking, writing, and analysis is a key part of the learning outcomes of this course, all writing assignments should be prepared by the student. Developing strong competencies in this area will prepare you for a competitive workplace. Therefore, AI-generated submissions are not permitted and will be treated as plagiarism.


Since at this point, I do not believe generative AI can be used ethically, I am not allowing its use. If you use it on an assignment, you will fail that assignment without the option of resubmitting.


 




Attendance Policy

Since this class modality is asynchronous remote, there is no attendance policy.  

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.