Critical literacy finds a 'place': Writing and social action in a low-income Australian grad 2/3 classroom

In a study of socioeconomically disadvantaged children's acquisition of school literacies, a university research team investigated how a group of teachers negotiated critical literacies and explored notions of social power with elementary children in a suburban school located in an area of high poverty. Here we focus on a grade 2/3 classroom where the teacher and children became involved in a local urban renewal project and on how in the process the children wrote about place and power. Using the students' concerns about their neighborhood, the teacher engaged her class in a critical literacy project that not only involved a complex set of literate practices but also taught the children about power and the possibilities for local civic action. In particular, we discuss examples of children's drawing and writing about their neighborhoods and their lives. We explore how children's writing and drawing might be key elements in developing "critical literacies" in elementary school settings. We consider how such classroom writing can be a mediator of emotions, intellectual and academic learning, social practice, and political activism.

Testing the effectiveness of a Practice Development intervention on changing the culture of evidence based practice in an acute care environment

In this age of evidence-based practice, nurses are increasingly expected to use research evidence in a systematic and judicious way when making decisions about patient care practices. Clinicians recognise the role of research when it provides valid, realistic answers in practical situations. Nonetheless, research is still perceived by some nurses as external to practice and implementing research findings into practice is often difficult. Since its conceptual platform in the 1960s, the emergence and growth of Nursing Development Units, and later, Practice Development Units has been described in the literature as strategic, organisational vehicles for changing the way nurses think about nursing by promoting and supporting a culture of inquiry and research-based practice. Thus, some scholars argue that practice development is situated in the gap between research and practice. Since the 1990s, the discourse has shifted from the structure and outcomes of developing practice to the process of developing practice, using a Practice Development methodology; underpinned by critical social science theory, as a vehicle for changing the culture and context of care. The nursing and practice development literature is dominated by descriptive reports of local practice development activity, typically focusing on reflection on processes or outcomes of processes, and describing perceived benefits. However, despite the volume of published literature, there is little published empirical research in the Australian or international context on the effectiveness of Practice Development as a methodology for changing the culture and context of care - leaving a gap in the literature. The aim of this study was to develop, implement and evaluate the effectiveness of a Practice Development model for clinical practice review and change on changing the culture and context of care for nurses working in an acute care setting. A longitudinal, pre-test/post-test, non-equivalent control group design was used to answer the following research questions: 1. Is there a relationship between nurses' perceptions of the culture and context of care and nurses' perceptions of research and evidence-based practice? 2. Is there a relationship between engagement in a facilitated process of Practice Development and change in nurses' perceptions of the culture and context of care? 3. Is there a relationship between engagement in a facilitated process of Practice Development and change in nurses' perceptions of research and evidence-based practice? Through a critical analysis of the literature and synthesis of the findings of past evaluations of Nursing and Practice Development structures and processes, this research has identified key attributes consistent throughout the chronological and theoretical development of Nursing and Practice Development that exemplify a culture and context of care that is conducive to creating a culture of inquiry and evidence-based practice. The study findings were then used in the development, validation and testing of an instrument to measure change in the culture and context of care. Furthermore, this research has also provided empirical evidence of the relationship of the key attributes to each other and to barriers to research and evidence-based practice. The research also provides empirical evidence regarding the effectiveness of a Practice Development methodology in changing the culture and context of care. This research is noteworthy in its contribution to advancing the discipline of nursing by providing evidence of the degree to which attributes of the culture and context of care, namely autonomy and control, workplace empowerment and constructive team dynamics, can be connected to engagement with research and evidence-based practice.

Critical discourse analysis

This chapter outlines the reasons why discourse analysis is an important dimension of critical social work practice. It brings to the forefront the very significant new contributions that sociologists focusing on the politics of recognition and redistribution, such as Nancy Fraser and Axel Honneth, can make in casting a "new politics of critical social work". In making this case, it begins by discussing some key developments in discourse theory and analysis within the social sciences and how they relate to the normative concerns of social work, specifically social justice and its multiple interpretations. Developing an appropriate analytical framework for social work practice can be difficult because there are conflicting and overlapping definitions of discourse formulated from various theoretical and disciplinary standpoints (Fairclough, 1992; Macdonnell, 1991). There are many different accounts of discourse that have developed in the social sciences, which is partly a result of recent interest in discourse theory among a wide range of academic disciplines. Whether language has assumed more of a central focus as a result of increased academic interest, or whether there has been an increase in the social importance of language in the operations of power is open to question...

Serviço Social e sistema penitenciário: um estudo sobre a possibilidade de materialização das diretrizes do atual projeto ético-político do Serviço Social brasileiro.

O presente estudo abordou a possibilidade de materialização do atual Projeto Ético-Político do Serviço Social brasileiro na direção social impressa no trabalho dos assistentes sociais que atuam na Secretaria de Administração Penitenciária do Rio de Janeiro (SEAP), com vínculos trabalhistas precários. Selecionamos os profissionais com contratos temporários, ou seja, precários, por entendermos que a fragilidade do vínculo trabalhista pode ser um importante fator de acirramento e de agudização da tensão inerente ao trabalho profissional do assistente social nesse campo sócio-ocupacional, impactando prejudicialmente não só nas condições de trabalho dos profissionais, mas, de modo importante, na qualidade dos serviços prestados aos usuários e, por conseguinte, nas possibilidades e limites de materialização do atual Projeto Profissional crítico. Daí por que considerarmos necessários estudos que se voltem aos profissionais com vínculos trabalhistas precários, especialmente profissionais que atuam em locais complexos como a Secretaria de Administração Penitenciária. Destacamos a relevância de investigações que se atenham ao trabalho profissional, na medida em que se constitui locus privilegiado de contato entre o assistente social e aqueles que atende, tendo em vista o caráter interventivo da profissão. A pesquisa empírica foi realizada por meio de entrevistas com assistentes sociais que trabalham na SEAP, com o perfil selecionado, ou seja, vínculo trabalhista precário. Utilizamos, ainda, nossa experiência como assistente social, as observações no campo e as conversas informais com os entrevistados. Esta investigação foi orientada pela teoria social crítica, ou seja, o materialismo histórico e dialético.

Art, adolescence and Social Work: Anja, the invisible manager

This article has been written with the intention of being able to analyse the contributions of art —theatre, in this case— to the practice of social work. For this purpose, we have chosen to read the social reality in which we intervene through the lens of social constructionism. This helps us to rescue the social and subjective side of art, and, moreover, to recover the depathologization of the subject in professional intervention. Thus, using a practical case taken from work with adolescents in the German FSJ programme, hand-in-hand with a young girl called Anja we trace the developmental and sociological aspects of adolescence in order to later address certain common points of art and psychosocial work. Art will hence be redefined as a transitional object allowing questions to be addressed relating to (self-) perception, attachment, communication and changes in conduct as the ultimate goal of professional action. Lastly, we note the limitations and risks of art-based intervention, in order to conclude with a final synopsis.

Beyond homo economicus: Recognition, self-realization and social work

This paper builds on Ferguson's important contribution to the debate on personalization in social work that appeared in the British Journal of Social Work in 2007. Whereas Ferguson approached the topic through the lens of political philosophy, the account below draws on critical social theory to examine not only the nature of personalization, but also its supportive pillar of individualization. In particular, Axel Honneth's critique of individualization in modern society is presented before setting out his ideas on the need for self-realization through inter-subjective recognition. The implications of Honneth's position are then considered in terms of four interrelated dimensions of social work practice, namely: (i) social work as symbolic interaction; (ii) social work as care; (iii) social work as respect; and (iv) social work as validation. It is argued that this constellation of practices poses a direct and necessary challenge to a social work of personalization.

Personalising Crime and Crime-fighting in Factual Television:an Analysis of Social Actors and Transitivity in Language and Images

This article addresses the lack of work on media and crime in Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA), using an example of a factual television crime report. The existing research in media studies and criminology points to the way that the media misrepresents crime by distorting public understandings and backgrounding structural issues, such as poverty, which are related to crime thereby legitimising a criminal justice system that serves the interests of the powerful in society. Using social actor and transitivity analysis, this article shows how multimodal CDA can make an important contribution as it reveals the more subtle linguistic strategies and visual representations by which this process is accomplished, showing how each plays a part in the recontextualisation of social practice. This programme backgrounds which crimes are committed but foregrounds mental states and the neutrality of policing.

Discipline-specific writing for business students: Research, practice and pedagogy

In the past few years strong arguments have been made for locating academic writing in higher education within the students’ disciplinary contexts in the belief that a full understanding of the role and dynamic of writing can only be achieved if it is examined as a social practice in its context of production. This chapter reports on a study that examined the conceptualisations of writing for business by a group of undergraduate and postgraduate lecturers and students at the business school of a British university. Based on a critical analysis of the literature reviewed for the study, and the data collected, the chapter contributes to existing writing pedagogy with a number of research-informed transformative pedagogical applications for teaching discipline-specific writing for business. Such applications which combine context-oriented practices (e.g. raising awareness of the role of disciplinary values in shaping writing) and text-oriented activities (e.g. discipline-specific referencing) aim at influencing the pedagogic agenda for teaching writing in higher education. The chapter concludes with questions for reflection and discussion that provide an opportunity for readers to reflect upon their own teaching environment.

Formação e leitura : o professor, sua prática e a inclusão social

“Formação e Leitura: o Professor, sua Prática e a Inclusão Social” aborda a problemática do fazer pedagógico para formar leitores ‘competentes’ favorecendo a inclusão social e a formação de cidadãos críticos. Pesquisa de natureza qualitativa, mas que não descarta dados quantitativos adota como fundamento metodológico a abordagem qualitativa de pesquisa, num recorte para estudo de caso. Objetiva conhecer e traçar um perfil da formação dos professores atuantes no Ensino Fundamental I, da rede de ensino público municipal de Cotia – São Paulo, identificar as concepções do professor a respeito deste ensino e aprendizagem, compreender e apresentar a relação dos professores e alunos em torno desta prática e sua qualidade social. As considerações a respeito da importância da leitura, as práticas pedagógicas e atuação do professor como incentivador e disseminador do hábito de ler e a formação necessária para que sejam comprometidos com o desenvolvimento desta prática social, constituem os questionamentos que norteiam esta pesquisa. Dentre os resultados, constata que o universo de significações trazido pelos professores recaem sobre a prática docente; são os seus hábitos e crença na leitura, como fator de inclusão social sua e de seus alunos que determinam o seu fazer pedagógico. Essa pesquisa tem o potencial de contribuir para reflexões dos projetos pedagógicos e suas equipes escolares, visando elevar a qualidade social da educação de um modo geral.

Dinâmica de institucionalização de práticas sociais: estudo da responsabilidade social no campo das organizações bancárias

The scope of this theses is to understand the dynamics of the institutionalization of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) within the Field of Banking Organizations in Brazil. Using the social analysis model put forward by Boltanski and Chiapello (1999) and reverting to the conceptual basis of the institutional approach and using Bourdieu¿s notion of interest (1996), we arrive at an analytical model that enabled us to assess CSR as part of a movement of displacement of capitalism. The theory we propose here is that with the institutionalization of CSR, actions are justified in terms of the common good, being legitimized by structural confirmations and arrangements and, at the same time, heeding the inherent interests of the Field. The means used for comprehension of the dynamics of the institutionalization of CSR were: (1) the analysis of the construction of the phenomenon of CSR, which enabled us to identify critical factors and events, leaders in Brazil and associated ratification of the institutionalization of this social practice; (2) the description of the Field of Banking Organizations and the identification of the elements of its CSR in History, which are essential steps for understanding the justifications for insertion of the Field in the movement towards CSR; (3) the identification of key players in the institutionalization of the social practice within the Field, as well as the categorization of practical actions considered socially responsible to be found in the organizations researched, analyzing them in terms of justifications and interests; (4) the analysis of the dissemination and sedimentation of structural arrangements linked to CSR in the organizations of the Field, such as specific areas created to deal with CSR, social reports and organizational websites. The field research assessed some 30 organizations and included documentary analysis and interviews. We noted that, from being a marginal and isolated action, over the course of the past decade CSR has become a structured action in banking organizations, while at the same time becoming transformed into a social value, capable of contributing to the legitimacy of the Field. In this respect, research showed that retail banks are those that are inserted in the movement towards CSR, which ratifies the thesis of the phenomenon as displacement of capitalism.

Estratégias de marketing para a base da pirâmide: uma abordagem de prática social

Orientações estratégicas com uma perspectiva social são cada vez mais comuns em grandes corporações multinacionais, sobretudo em um contexto de exclusão e desigualdade social em uma era de globalização. As estratégias de base da pirâmide surgem nesse contexto, fundamentadas no argumento de que é possível erradicar a pobreza em escala global através das estratégias das grandes corporações junto às camadas sociais da base. Se por um lado este discurso é apoiado e repetido por empresas e agências de desenvolvimento internacional, há por outro lado, uma visão mais crítica que questiona os verdadeiros resultados e interesses existentes por trás destas estratégias. Apesar disso, falta diálogo entre os autores que defendem cada uma das vertentes. Esta dissertação origina-se a partir da necessidade de abordagens alternativas ao binômio crítica-mainstream, particularmente no âmbito da estratégia de marketing. Foi adotada então uma perspectiva de estratégia como prática social, a fim de se investigar os principais aspectos da formação destas orientações estratégicas em marketing e contribuir para a melhor compreensão do fenômeno. A fim de investigar estratégias de marketing internacional focadas na base da pirâmide no Brasil sob uma perspectiva de estratégia como prática social, foi realizado um estudo de caso em uma empresa multinacional norte-americana com ampla atuação no país, mais especificamente no setor de bebidas e alimentos. Os resultados da pesquisa destacam a relevância de desenvolvimentos acadêmicos e gerenciais focados em questões de política e de poder, especialmente para pesquisadores e praticantes sediados em países emergentes e vinculados tanto ao âmbito privado quanto ao âmbito público.

Uma proposta metodológica para a formação continuada de professores na perspectiva histórico-social

O texto apresenta uma proposta para a formação de professores, baseada na pedagogia histórico-crítica. São apresentados três eixos básicos para orientar esse trabalho: domínio dos conteúdos escolares e formas de ensinar; estudo da concepção dialética; formação de uma nova atitude ético-política. A metodologia sugerida é similar àquela que os professores poderão usar com seus alunos. Procura seguir os cinco passos propostos por Saviani: a prática social, a problematização, a instrumentalização, a catarse e a prática social.

A prática social na pedagogia histórico-crítica e as relações entre arte e vida em Lukács e Vigotski

Coordenação de Aperfeiçoamento de Pessoal de Nível Superior (CAPES)

The challenge of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the social determinants

The importance of professional disciplines working together to address the critical social and health issues facing society today cannot be overstated. Policy makers, service providers and researchers have long been calling for greater interdisciplinary collaboration. Despite this there has been little systemic analysis of the constraints involved in such collaboration. Far too often disciplines continue to work in silos. This paper aims to analyse the barriers to interdisciplinary collaboration through a case study of the relationship between social work and public health. These two disciplines have a lot more in common than might first appear. There is real potential for social work and public health to work together and enhance each other's efforts to address their common goal of greater social equality. However, this will require a genuine commitment from both disciplines to develop a shared political analysis, common language and a framework for action, which utilises their respective strengths.

Online social capital:understanding e-impulse buying in practice

Socially constructed marketing imageries (e.g. e-atmospherics) help consumers while making choices and decisions. Still, human and retailing technology interactions are rarely evaluated from a social practice perspective. This article explores the potential impact of socially constructed e-atmospherics on impulse buying. A framework with three interrelated factors, namely social acoustic, co-construction and mundane language enactment is analysed. The way these allow for e-social norms to organically emerge is elaborated through a set of propositions. Retailing implications are subsequently discussed.