Social Work in
Theory and Practice
The Book Series is linked to the Social Work@IUC.Dubrovnik courses. The Social Work@IUC.Dubrovnik courses are a level set of social work courses for social work professors, students, practitioners, and service-users.
Book Series Social Work in Theory and Practice
Social Work is Practice – the knowledge of doing, improving human and social life. But this praxis needs an appropriate theoretical foundation. Such a theoretical foundation is of crucial relevance: Theory is the lens through which the requirements of the social practice can be analyzed. Social Sciences and here mostly Sociology can be considered as the leading science of Social Work. Basically Sociology can be defined as the study of human social relationships and institutions. With this research horizon, sociology provides systemic, orientative and transformational knowledge for the challenges of the praxis with which Social Work is confronted.
Thematically, the book series concentrates on the process of coming to terms with socio-economic and socio-cultural shifts arising from social transformations. Taking its cue from latest research results of the field of social sciences and here mostly from sociology, the volumes provide research results for the discussion about the requirements with which Social Work is confronted within a permanent changing environment. Although the research results are discussed with reference to the requirements of Social Work, and its practice, the main focus of the book series lies in its goal of providing a forum where different theoretical approaches can be brought together in an integrative environment.
The book provides an interdisciplinary and international reconceptualization of the concept of the social. In social work, the concept of the ‘Social’ is of central relevance. In times of social transformation, social work is of increased significance. It is because of this relevance that a paradigmatic version of the social appears to be a challenge, which this volume presents from an interdisciplinary and international perspective. Conceptual contributions, as well as best practice examples, enable a theory-practice transfer.
Social transformation processes changing lives and societal practices on a micro-, meso- and macro-level. These changes also present challenges for the theory and practice of social work. The social transformation processes raise questions that affect both the theory and practice of social work. Social work is more than just a field of social education. As a form of ethical practice, social work has the opportunity to test alternative forms of societal practice. One task for social works is to address societal change and to explore political, organizational and ethical issues through the lens of emancipation and social transformation. Social work needs to establish strong alternatives that are extremely important in times of rising nationalisms, abrogation of human rights and decaying solidarity. These alternatives should use the tools and stories of social work in order to encourage and enable people to believe that another world is possible and work towards building it together. One has to address new ways of formulating and implementing social policy; examine key challenges in working with children and families; explore new approaches to children in conflict with the law, present possibilities for community work and community action; confront issues of old age, and investigate the possibilities for and obstacles to deinstitutionalization.