Full Description
This book challenges sociologists and sociology students to think beyond the construction of social problems to tackle a central question: What do sociologists do with the analytic tools and academic skills afforded by their discipline to respond to social problems? Service Sociology posits that a central role of sociology is not simply to analyse and interpret social problems, but to act in the world in an informed manner to ameliorate suffering and address the structural causes of these problems. This volume provides a unique contribution to this approach to sociology, exploring the intersection between its role as an academic discipline and its practice in the service of communities and people. With both contemporary and historical analyses, the book traces the legacy, characteristics, contours, and goals of the sociology of service, shedding light on its roots in early American sociology and its deep connections to activism, before examining the social context that underlies the call for volunteerism, community involvement and non-profit organisations, as well as the strategies that have promise in remedying contemporary social problems. Presenting examples of concrete social problems from around the world, including issues of democratic participation, poverty and unemployment, student involvement in microlending, disaster miitigation, the organization and leadership of social movements, homelessness, activism around HIV/AIDS and service spring breaks, Service Sociology and Academic Engagement in Social Problems explores the utility of public teaching, participatory action research, and service learning in the classroom as a contribution to the community.
Contents
Introduction: What is Service Sociology?, A. JavierTreviño, Karen M.McCormack; Part I Contextualizing Service Sociology: History and Policy; Chapter 1 Debating Service Sociology: The Settlements, the Academy, and the Social Work Profession, 1890-1930, PatriciaLengermann, GillianNiebrugge; Chapter 2 Jane Addams on Creativity and Power in Social Service, ErikSchneiderhan; Chapter 3 Ideology, Policy, and Engagement: What Role Can Service Learning Play in a Changing Democracy?, DaveHarker; Part II Bridging Classroom and Community; Chapter 4 The Impact of Action and Engagement on Sociology In and Out of the Classroom, KathleenOdell Korgen; Chapter 5 The Power of Place: Community Partnerships and Student Experiences, Zoann K.Snyder, Jean C.Karlen; Chapter 6 Exploring the Impact of Service Learning in Students' Mastery of Sociology and Social Work Learning Outcomes, MarieOpatrny, AnneStatham; Chapter 7 A Bridge Is Not Just a Metaphor: Building Sustainable Community-University Partnerships through Service Learning Projects, CharlotteRyan; Part III Service Sociology in the Community; Chapter 8 Toward a Participatory Imagination: Lessons on Engagement from Popular Education and Participatory Action Research, Chris Baker, Donald Edward Davis, Corey Dolgon; Chapter 9 The Role of Community Building Practices in Rural Regions: A Study in Service Sociology, DebarashmiMitra; Chapter 10 Public Teaching as Service Sociology, Christopher J. Schneider, Ariane Hanemaayer, Kyle Nolan; Chapter 11 Developing Critical Consciousness through Community Action Research: Localizing the Structures of Homelessness, Christina D. Weber; Part IV Sociology for Whom?; Chapter 12 Why Sociology Textbooks Do a Disservice, Steven E. Barkan; Chapter 13 Tackling Social Problems: Sociology, Service, and Social Activism, Chris Dale; Chapter 14 Service Sociology: What's in a Name?, Shelley K. White;
