Environmental Justice Is a Social Justice Issue: Incorporating Environmental Justice Into Social Work Practice Curricula. (1st October 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Beltrán, Ramona; Hacker, Alice; Begun, Stephanie
• Is Part Of: Journal of social work education. Volume 52:Number 4(2016)
• Page Start: 493
• Page End: 502
• Publication Date: 2016-10-01
• Subjects: Social work education -- Periodicals; Social work education -- United States -- Periodicals; 361.305
• DOI: 10.1080/10437797.2016.1215277
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-7797

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Social justice education for social work practice is concerned with addressing issues of power and oppression as they impact intersections of identity, experience, and the social environment. However, little focus is directed toward the physical and natural environment despite overwhelming evidence that traditionally marginalized groups bear the burden of environmental problems. In this article, we discuss environmental disaster impacts on marginalized communities, presence of environmental justice in social work literature, and opportunities for integrating environmental justice into social work's mandated disciplinary competencies. We conclude with an example of a module implemented in a foundation Social Justice for Social Work Practice course using place-based education principles as an illustration of concrete strategies for incorporating environmental justice into social justice curricula.