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August 2019 Educator | Resource of the Month
The Center for Diversity and Social & Economic Justice Educator|Resource is a monthly feature that highlights curricular resources and social work educators who address diversity and justice.
Making Space for Free-Choice Reading Alongside Textbooks in Social Work Generalist Courses
Mixing free-choice books (e.g., memoirs, ethnographic works, and other nonfiction) with core textbooks encourages students in social welfare classes to evaluate the impact of policies on the lives of people and communities. This Educator|Resource describes course methods and activities that help students forge connections between experiences chronicled in books they choose, assigned readings, and practice. Free-choice book reading gives students more autonomy and control over their learning while also encouraging them to grapple with structural factors that shape social welfare systems. For related resources, see the November 2018 Educator|Resource, Social Justice 101: Teaching Empathy and Critical Thinking Using Books With Powerful Messages on Social Justice. It describes teaching strategies in diversity and justice in an interdisciplinary course.
Visit the Center Library for an expanded book list and the Center Library Launch Educator|Resource for a comprehensive set of curricular materials.
Teaching Resources
| Policy Course Syllabus | Assignments |
| Book List and Descriptions (PPT) | Class Activities and Exercises |
About the Educator
John Sullivan, MSW, is a PhD candidate at the University of Texas at Austin. His research focuses on advancing health equity for marginalized populations with chronic medical conditions, including improving mental health and other services for people with chronic kidney disease. Sullivan’s research has been funded by the Fulbright Program and the U.S. Social Security Administration. His teaching experience includes courses in social welfare, programs, policies, and issues.
Educator Q&A
What’s the value of this resource in a nutshell?
Mixing free-choice books—memoirs, ethnographic works, and other nonfiction, in this case—with a core policy textbook (and activities like frequent reflective writing and a book review intended for policy professionals) gives social work students more autonomy and space for deeper learning; students extend and apply concepts, skills, and experiences from one context to another, and in ways meaningful to their individual learning and practice. Read the full Q&A.
The views expressed in the Educator|Resource are those of the educator(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Council on Social Work Education.
Interested in contributing to the Educator | Resource of the Month? Please contact Dr. Yolanda Padilla, CSWE Diversity Center Director, at [email protected].