Southern Utah University

Course Syllabus

Southern Utah University
Southern Utah University
Spring Semester 2026

Human Values Capstone (Online)

HU 3190-30I

Course: HU 3190-30I
Credits: 3
Term: Spring Semester 2026
Department: INDS
CRN: 12282

Course Description

This interdisciplinary course synthesizes ideas which best exemplify the human condition and the values which help to define it. Topics will vary based on annual theme. The class will culminate in a final project and participation in the Tanner Center’s Student Story Project. Required to complete the Certificate of Human Values. (Spring) [Graded (Standard Letter)] Prerequisite(s): HU 3100 - Prerequisite Min. Grade: C Registration Restriction(s): None

Required Texts

TEXT and Film:

1. Best American Essays 2023

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Mariner Books
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 17, 2023
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 0063288842


2. A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
Film available through Amazon Prime, $2.99

3. Selected Readings from Terrain.org https://www.terrain.org/

4. Readings from The Student Story Project Via the SUU Tanner Center website

5. Grace A. Tanner Lectures available via Canvas




 


Learning Outcomes

Written Communication
Students will be able to reflect on concepts of human values in literary, historical, or philosophical contexts and relate them to their own experience through the Student Story Project. 

Critical Thinking
Students will be able to apply critical thinking skills to analyze aspects of human values in specific literary texts.

Civic Knowledge and Engagement
Students will be able to discuss contemporary issues regarding human values based on recorded guest lectures and apply their knowledge through a Response Paper
 
Integrative Learning
Students will be able to synthesize key concepts with their own experiences into a final project.

Course Requirements

- Response Papers to readings from Terrain.org and Best American Nonfiction 2023 with a focus on how the writers tell the stories of their personal experiences          through the writing techniques of description, tone, setting, and structure
- Reflection Papers to Grace A. Tanner lectures with a focus on the implied human value you see in their narrative and/or how do you respond to their narrative?
- Reflection Paper to assigned film A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood
- Short Writing Assignment to pieces from the Student Story Project discussing implied value and writing technique
- Drafts and final version of your own student story using the writing techniques you have learned
- Peer Workshop on your student story
- Presentation of your student story at the Festival of Excellence
- Final submission of your multi-media story to the Student Story Project
- Conferences with the professor

Course Outline

Unit I:  Human Values and Storytelling

In this unit you will read personal narratives by professional writers to discuss and explore the following aspects:

  • What is the main idea they are are trying to convey? 
  • What implied human value do you see in their narrative and/or how do you respond to their narrative?
  • How do they tell the stories of their personal experiences through the writing techniques of description, tone, setting, and structure?

    You will also watch previously recorded Grace A. Tanner Lecturers tell their stories and write reflection papers based on the first two questions listed above. 
    (January 7-February 11)


Unit II: Human Values and Your Own Story

In this unit you will draft and complete your own narrative in preparation for the Festival of Excellence. You will draft your story based on writing prompts, exchange the drafts with classmates for an online workshop, revise the draft, and submit a final version that you will present at the Festival of Excellence at the end of March.
(Feb. 18-March 31)


Unit III: Capstone Project
Create a Capstone Project that coordinates different aspects of storytelling. There will be three different pieces to to this project:

 1. Discuss how a few key writing techniques can create a better story in telling one own's story from your reading of the Terrain.org essays and Best American Essays 2023

2. Discuss the process you experienced in writing your own story and how through that process, you came to understand which values from Schwartz's Theory of Basic Values are most important to you. 

3. Submit the final version of your multi-media Student Story to be published through the Student Story Project
(April 1-April 23)



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

I have given weekly deadlines for and assignments and have designed the course so that each assignment builds on the next one. I will not penalize late work that is turned in the same week as its due date. However, if an assignment is turned in late beyond that "grace period,"  I will give it only half credit. I will not accept late assignments turned in after we have completed that Unit. 

Make Up Work/Extra Credit: I don't assign make up work or extra credit. Instead, focus on completing the assignments as they are due

Attendance Policy

Your attendance is measured by your participation and completion of course activities.

Course Fees

https://www.suu.edu/registrar/course-fees.html

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.