Theories of Social Justice and Intervention

Recommended Prerequisites

Knowledge of the English language.

Teaching Methods

The teaching methodology seeks to reconcile an expository and an interactive dimension: resolution of issues/practical dilemmas, classroom discussion, analysis and discussion of selected texts and conferences. So it adds theoretical-practical classes with seminars (conferences, debates) with external guests (national and foreign) - social scientists, policy makers and practitioners -promoting more comprehensive discussions on social justice, social policy and current inequalities, as well as presenting results of research in these fields, completed or in progress.

Learning Outcomes

With the c.u. Theories of Social Justice and Intervention is intended that the Master's students, at the end of the c.u, be able to:

- critically discuss the forms of analysis and intervention concerning different problems and social needs in the light of different perspectives of Social Justice;

- understand the relationship between the assumptions of social policies and the achievement of greater or lesser justice and citizenship;

- explaining complex and often subtle processes of political and social naturalization of inequalities and social problems;

- understand and operationalize the contribution of social work to the achievement of social justice and the un-blinding of illegitimate inequalities.

Work Placement(s)

No

Syllabus

I.Understanding SJ Today:Implications for SW Intervention

The new sociopolitical data and the sense of SJ

A reinterp. of the s. risk assumptions and the dangers of contemp. naturalization of problems and inequalities

The new sociopol. rhetoric, the increasing conditionality of citizenship and the s. implications to the p., s. and prof. project of SW

II.Theories of SJ and relevance to the ethical-political construction of contemp.SW

Between universality and sing.: constitute paradoxes in the discussion on SJ

The reading of the inequalities in the light of various theories of SJ and the implications for processes, purposes of SW intervention

The importance of collective action, the role of SW in building global discourses and practices in favor of J. and rights, freedoms and guarantees

The challenges of inclusion, equity, partic., democracy, solidarity and freedom considering the actual precariousness and vulnerability, in parallel with restrictions of s. policies

Head Lecturer(s)

Joana Carla Marques Vale Mendes Guerra

Assessment Methods

Continuous Assessment
Resolution Problems: 20.0%
Synthesis work: 30.0%
Exam: 50.0%

Bibliography

Dickens, J. (2010). Social Work and Social Policy. Routledge

Ferguson, I et al. (2005). Globalization, global justice and social work. Routledge

Freire, A. et al (2005). Desigualdades Sociais e perceções de Justiça. Imprensa de Ciências Sociais

Lund, B. (2002). Understanding State Welfare. Social Justice or Social Exclusion? Sage Publ

Lundy, C. (2011). Social work, social justice & human rights. A structural approach to practice. Univ. of Toronto Press

Mayes, D.G. et al. (eds.) (2001). Social Exclusion and European Policy. Edward Elgar Publish. Ltd

Rawls, J. (1993). Uma Teoria da Justiça. Editorial Presença, 1ªed: 1971

Sanders, L.B. (2009). Social Justice. Capstone

Sen, A. (2012). A Ideia de Justiça. Coimbra: Almedina

Sowars, K.M. et al (2006). Social Work Practice and Social Justice : from local to global perspectives. Thomson Books/Cole

Turner, B. S. (ed.) (1993). Citizenship Social Theory. London: Sage

Vários (2012). Dicionário das Crises e Alternativas. Coimbra: Almedina.