Editor's Introduction: Ethics in Sociological Practice

Sociological Practice -     

Editor's Introduction: Contemporary Theory and Sociological Practice

Sociological Practice -     

Teaching Sociological Practice: Starting with Something Special

A scholar-practitioner might want to decide what concept, value, or framework in sociological practice is particularly important for students to know at the very beginning of a course. This special emphasis approach is detailed using four examples: cultural competence in a course on mediation skills; humanism in courses or presentations on social theory, ethics, social planning, or intervention; participatory action research in a social science research course; and empowerment in intervention, community, social planning, or social policy courses. Clinical and applied sociologists are invited to consider an up front and personal approach in at least some of their courses and to choose and explicitly emphasize, in their own special way, an important value, concept, or perspective at the beginning of a course.     

Sociological Practice Association (SPA), 1978–2000

Sociological Practice -     

Life History and the Critique of American Sociological Practice

This paper is a contribution to the uses of life histories and the dialogue regarding the "standards" for their use. Through a meta-analysis of life histories in the United States since the publication of the Polish Peasant , we develop a typology to critically evaluate their methodological/theoretical practices in sociology. We find a broad range of uses of life histories in the areas of substantive focus, analysis, relationship of oral history and the subject, relationship of oral/life history to other materials, purpose of the research, and relationship of oral/life history to other phenomena. We conclude that life history methods have not had the transformative effect on sociology that they have had in other disciplines. By and large, the actual production of life histories continues to be a historical, to be characterized by abstract empiricism, to extinguish subjects, and to ignore the link between biography and history.     

Contributions off Sociological and Psychological Theory to Casework Practice

There has been considerable disagreement over what is considered to be optimal educational preparation for social work administrators. This paper presents the findings from a survey of 285 practicing social work administrators in regard to their valuation of MSW and post-MSW education and training, significant gaps in their educational preparation, and the relevance of their educational preparation for administrative functioning. Issues and implications for social work education and administrative practice are discussed.     

Positivism in Sociological Practice: 1967–1990*

Le positivisme n'est jamais à l'abri de la controverse, surtout en sociologie, où sa viabilité a fait l'objet de longs débate parmi les théoriciens de divers acabits. Mais il reste à savoir jusquà quel point les pratidens de la sociologie considèrent encore le positivisme comme une théorie satisfaisante. Les auteurs examinent cette question par une analyse de contenu de 176 articles choisis au hasard dans les revues des associations de sociologie américaines, canadiennes, scandinaves et britanniques datant de la fin des années 1960 et la fin des années 1980. L'utilisation d'une grille d'analyse construite à partir de sept éléments du positivisme caractéristiques du mouvement de la theory construction révèle des éléments de persistance aussi bien que de changement. Les résultats amènent les auteurs à questionner la relation qui existe entre la théorie et la pratique en sociologie et à se demander si l'épistémologie de la sociologie reflète la réalité de sa pratique. En conclusion, Ton suggère quelques pistes de recherche ultérieure sur le sujet. Positivism is no stranger to controversy, least of all in sociology, where its viability has been the subject of a long-running debate among theorists of different stripes. Yet the question remains to what degree sociological practitioners continue to find positivism to be persuasive. This question is approached through a content analysis of 176 randomly selected articles published in the late 1960s and the late 1980s in the official journals of the American, Canadian, Scandinavian and British sociological associations. Using an index based on seven elements of positivism that were characteristic of the “theory construction” movement of the late 1960s, the authors found both persistence and change. The results raise questions about the relationship between the realms of theory and practice in sociology and whether sociologists' philosophies of science reflect what practitioners actually do in their sociological work. The authors conclude with suggestions for further research on this topic.     

Toward an Autonomous Sociological Practice Occupation: Friendly Amendments to Turner's Social Engineering Manifesto

While endorsing Turner's view that the various wings of sociology (theorist, methodologist, researcher, and practitioner) need to be better integrated, major revisions to Turner's social engineering manifesto are suggested, including (1) dropping his negative caricatures of the various wings of sociology, (2) giving greater recognition to the uses already made of sociology, (3) moving away from the traditional positivistic models of science and practice, toward a more open, eclectic one that views theory and practice as independent activities that are both enriched through strong interaction, (4) considering the need for an autonomous sociological practice occupation, (5) inventing or selecting an alternative expression for social engineering because of the heavy, negative baggage it carries.     

Review Essay: Sociological Uses of a Sociological Memoir

Qualitative Sociology -     

The Animal Rights Movement in Theory and Practice: A Review of the Sociological Literature

Traditionally, philosophers have had most to say about the ethics of our treatment of non‐human animals (hereafter animals); it is only in recent years that social scientists have engaged with issues concerning humans and other animals. However, in the sociological literature and more generally in the emerging field of Human–Animal Studies (HAS), evidence of interest in the animal protection movement is slight. This review of Eliasian theory, Marxist realism, feminism, ecofeminism, and social constructionist theory – along with key activist approaches to animal activism and advocacy – indicates the theoretical richness of the topic that is nonetheless empirically poor. The animal protection movement is referred to here simply as the animal movement or where appropriate, as one of its three strands – animal welfare, animal liberation and animal rights. The article concludes with a discussion of how social movement theory (the ‘why’) and practice (the ‘how’) might be enhanced by social movement scholars working in collaboration with animal activists.     

Developing a Program in Sociological Practice: Program Structure,Curriculum Design,and Professional Culture

A sociological practice program has much to offer an undergraduate sociology department that wishes to make itself more relevant to its students, university, and larger community. Reasons are explored for why a department might choose to transform its program from a more traditional liberals arts focus to that of sociological practice. A discussion of the programmatic content of a practice program, including structure, curriculum design, and professional culture, is detailed. The experience of Our Lady of the Lake University in developing its accredited undergraduate sociological practice program is offered as an example of program development.     

Forthcoming in Sociological Forum

Forthcoming in Sociological Forum     

Forthcoming in Sociological Forum

Sociological Forum -