Abstract
Art is a powerful mechanism of communication that can ignite discussion, reflection, critical thinking and creativity, as it can say things words simply can’t. In the higher education, students are exposed to many new abstract concepts that require them to think critically, reflect and analyze concepts within various systems. In social work education, and particularly in hybrid or online programs, the use of art to connect intangible concepts like social justice, ageism, transphobia oppression, and historical trauma can have a meaningful and powerful impact. More specifically, art can help humanize populations that are often dehumanized by society, like older adults, people of color; transgender people, unsheltered people, migrants/refugees, people suffering from addition and people with disabilities. Using art in the classroom (on ground and/or online) can increase empathy, and foster understanding, community and solidarity, which in turns helps humanize historically dehumanized populations. Using various mediums of art (i.e. print, photography, poetry, music, oral histories, etc.) in the classroom can help students connect a feeling to a concept, issue or population much more than simply reading about an issue or hearing a lecture. The use of varied social justice art in online undergraduate social work course to humanize marginalized populations is presented as an example.
Presenters
Satara CharlsonProfessor, Social Work, Arts & Sciences, University of Massachusetts Global, California, United States
Details
Presentation Type
Theme
The Arts in Social, Political, and Community Life
KEYWORDS
Higher Education; Marginalized Populations; Social Justice; Community
