CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO
College of Health and Human Services
Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies

Assignment 3: The Values Clarification Paper

Introduction:
Values guide us through our lives, and making careful, deliberate decisions about what our values are is extremely important when pursuing life goals.  The values we determine now may change as we grow older or make major life changes, such as going from being single to being partnered or becoming a parent. However, once we’ve learned how to determine values accurately, when these changes occur, we can re-assess our values, which will help us make proper goals and proper decisions no matter what state of our lives we are in.  More importantly, NOT knowing or understanding our values can lead to an unfulfilling existence prone to literally years of “wandering,” not ever being satisfied, since we don’t know what actually satisfies us.  Not being aware of when our values have changed, however, can be even more difficult—such as feeling like we are “fixed” in our job path with no flexibility for change and adventure in career and life choices.  Understanding and defining values, and applying these to life and leisure goals can helps us to stay focused and enjoy our accomplishments.  

Take Note:
•	Values are self-motivators (intrinsic) that indicate what is most important in your life.
•	Values are reflected in what you actually do with your time and life. 
•	Mature, independent and successful individuals act on their own values and not on the values of others.
•	Determining values fosters self-confidence and places YOU in control of your life.
•	Values Clarification is the process of deciding and clearly stating what you believe. 

What’s Due: 
You will be required to turn in 1,400 words for this assignment, split between two distinct sections. 

Section I: This is the definition portion of your paper. You will be required to turn in twenty (typed) definitions for your ranked values.  Complete the exercises on pages 269-272 in the course textbook (Olson, Perspectives on Leisure) which will explain how the values should be selected and ranked.  These twenty definitions cannot technically count towards the total of 1,400 words, but they make up part of the final grade for this assignment.  This list can simply be a number list of 1-20.  The definitions do not need to be done in paragraph form.

When choosing values, it may help to ask yourself some of the following questions.  Remember, answer these for YOURSELF, not how you think society or your friends or your parents or your 122 instructor would want you to answer these questions:

•	What am I committed to?
•	What would I be willing to die for?
•	What am I willing to live joyously and enthusiastically for?
•	What is freedom?
•	What is peace of mind?
•	What is security?
•	What comprises happiness?
•	What is love?
•	How would I like people to think of me?
•	What do I want to be my legacy?
•	Do I need ethical standards and integrity in my life?
•	What kinds of beauty do I need in my life?

Section II: A 1,400-word essay will accompany the definitions.  Without re-writing all of your definitions into a paper, you may simply focus on a few of your most important values.  By indicating these values in the introduction, you will have a solid basis for presenting a well-organized paper about your favorite subject: YOU!  Take this opportunity to look at how these values determine your actions and how you plan to go about living your life according to your values.  If you’ve had a major life experience that has altered or influenced these values, you may want to include this (assuming it isn’t so personal that someone else couldn’t read it).  Getting started on this paper is often tricky, and you may approach this paper by asking yourself “Who am I according to my values?” Your values will ultimately determine your actions, and therefore, by understanding those values, you gain a sense of the type of person you are.  For some of you, values may be things you aspire to, but don’t see yourself as having completely achieved.  This is common. It may help to ask yourself, “What kind of person do I hope to be?” or “What kind of person do I want other people to see when they look at me?” “Look,” of course, being used here not entirely in the physical appearance sense, but more in the slightly abstract sense of “looking at my actions.”

Terminal and Instrumental:
Often it is asked if it is necessary to separate the two types of values in the final paper.  For the definitions, it may be helpful, but in the final paper you are not required to draw a line between terminal and instrumental values unless it helps you organize the paper more efficiently.  Then, by all means, use this division.

Writing Style and Format Reminder: 
Remember to review “Dr. Rolloff’s Writing Handout” for style and format requirements.