Understanding the complexity of social issues through process drama

Middle level teacher Joanne O’Mara uses process drama as a means for her students to explore multiple perspectives. In the teaching vignette she shares here, her class challenges their understanding of deforestation through dramatizing Judith Nichol’s A Poem for the Rainforest.

Personality : social issues and personal growth

In this chapter, we will look at the application of personality to social problems and personal growth.  we have chosen two examples of social problems, anger (and aggression) and crime, to illustrate areas where personality has had an impact.

The role of social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the sports industry

This introduction to the special issue of the Journal of Management & Organization on social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in the sport industry frames the key issues sport businesses, corporate partners, and related nonprofi t organizations grapple with to ensure that both the organizations and the social causes which are being addressed benefi t in some way. The importance of social responsibility is fi rst examined in the context of corporations and sports. The increasing importance of social issues to sport-related industries and the role of strategic philanthropy is discussed. Next, the connection between social responsibility and philanthropic endeavors is addressed in terms of social entrepreneurship. Finally, the article concludes by highlighting the increased signifi cance of sport in society and how the articles in this special issue contribute to a better understanding of the role of social responsibility, philanthropy and entrepreneurship in sport.

Evaluating social marketing’s upstream metaphor: does it capture the flows of behavioural influence between ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ actors?

Metaphors are powerful forms of communication that can both facilitate and constrain disciplinary discourse, so the choice of metaphor used to explain concepts of disciplinary importance should not be undertaken lightly. A single case study methodology involving an ‘upstream’ firm considering whether to manufacture products with environmental attributes was consequently used to test three previously unexamined assumptions associated with the upstream/downstream metaphor, a metaphorical distinction that continues to have sway within the social marketing discipline. Contrary to these assumptions, the flows of behavioural influence between ‘upstream’ and ‘downstream’ actors were found to be bidirectional (rather than unidirectional), interactive (rather than independent), and distinctive (rather than non-distinctive). These findings suggest the need for alternative models that can better reflect the complex, multidirectional relationships responsible for the emergence of many social issues.

How to live : being happy and dealing with moral dilemmas

"This work provides clear answers to difficult moral and social issues that we face in our personal lives - that governments need to address when balancing the interests of the community. By demystifying moral discourse, How to Live provides a clear moral pathway for students of philosophy, medicine, and law, as well as the general reader. The moral framework of How to Live is developed from an interdisciplinary perspective. The culmination presents a forward-thinking theory that will maximize the success and happiness of the individual and the community within a society."--BOOK JACKET