From Awareness to Action: Social Work for Social Change

I am interested in participating in the development of a course on social action because advocacy, social justice, and meaningful community engagement are central to the social work profession. A course focused on social action would provide students with opportunities to move beyond understanding social problems to developing the knowledge and skills needed to address systemic inequities and advocate for change. This directly aligns with social work ethical principles, particularly social justice, service, the dignity and worth of the person, the importance of human relationships, integrity, and competence. I am especially interested in helping students understand how ethical social work practice requires practitioners to recognize structural barriers, amplify the voices of affected communities, and engage in responsible advocacy at the individual, community, organizational, and policy levels. Developing this course would help prepare students to view social action not as separate from social work practice, but as an essential component of ethical and professionally responsible practice.

From Awareness to Action: Social Work for Social Change introduces BSW students to the role of social workers as advocates and agents of social change. Grounded in social work values and ethical principles, the course examines how social, economic, and structural conditions contribute to inequity and affect individuals, families, groups, and communities. Students will explore strategies for advocacy, community engagement, coalition building, policy change, and collective action while considering the importance of cultural humility and centering the voices of affected communities. Through applied activities and a social action project, students will move from identifying a social issue to developing and implementing strategies designed to promote meaningful and sustainable change.

Shari Richardson

Assistant Professor

Social Work

Medgar Evers College