Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice: Putting Theory into Action

Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice: Putting Theory into Action applies anti-oppressive theories and concepts to a generalist social work practice model to provide students with tools to develop a critically evaluative and self-reflective social work practice. The text combines social welfare history, theory, skills and concrete examples of anti-oppressive practice in real-world settings to help students develop a personal practice that is grounded in an understanding of social justice and the need for social workers to interrogate their work and the institutions that they find themselves working in.

Opening chapters address social justice, values and ethics, and theory, and challenge students to critically examine their own social positions, identities, and values. Later chapters present fields of social work and social justice practice, from micro through macro, historical and ideological contexts, and a variety of skills and forms of practice. Within each chapter, Stories from the Field provide students with reflections from practitioners and participants on anti-oppressive practice and social justice work, highlighting personal successes and challenges.

The second edition includes new material on environmental and ecological justice, the ethics of care, feminist theoretical approaches, the non-profit industrial complex and other contemporary topics. This edition also incorporates additional Stories from the Field, an expanded section on tools and approaches to family work, as well as additional supplemental films, readings, and organizational resources.

Anti-Oppressive Social Work Practice is an ideal text for foundational courses in social work that approach multi-level practice from a decolonizing perspective.

Karen Morgaine is a professor and department chair in the Sociology Department at California State University, Northridge, where she teaches courses in community organizing, social movements, the sociology of LGBT communities, qualitative research methods, social welfare policy, and more. Her research centers on social movements, sexualities, and artivism.

Moshoula Capous-Desyllas is a professor in the Sociology Department at California State University, Northridge. She is an arts-based researcher committed to participating in anti-oppressive and decolonizing research practices, as well as engaging in social justice issues through art. Moshoula has facilitated numerous community-based, photovoice research projects within various communities and collectives.