Virtues and Character in Social Work Practice
Social work practitioners are social change agents that spend much of their time examining social structures and advocating for policies and programs that advance justice and increase opportunity. Social justice is central to the mission, professional development, and ethical decision making process in social work practice. However, the development of character traits and virtues within Christian social workers is equally important in furthering social justice and working with diverse populations.
This training brings to light questions about professional identity, relationships, and the ability to thrive and sustain social change through the understanding and development of a virtue framework. This framework combines philosophy, theology, and pedagogical practices to offer a holistic approach to professional development and explores the traits of charity, faith, generosity, gratefulness, and justice in social work practice.
As a result of this training, participants will be able to:
1. Outline the historical and theoretical concepts of a virtue perspective and how they apply to helping and social work practice.
2. Articulate character traits and virtues Christian educators and trainers focus on to prepare students and practitioners for effective social work practice.
3. Identify resources, best practices, teaching pedagogy, and professional development activities that best nurture and foster the development of essential character traits and virtues among students and practitioners in social work.
Terry A. Wolfer, Ph.D., is Professor of Social Work, College of Social Work, University of South Carolina, Columbia, SC 29208.
Cheryl Brandsen, Ph.D., MSW, Provost, Calvin College, Sociology and Social Work Department, 383B Spoelhof Center, 3201 Burton SE Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Jill C. Schreiber, MSW, Ph.D., Southern Illinois University at Edwardsville, Box 1450, Department of Social Work, SIUE, Edwardsville, IL 62026.
Ruth E. Groenhout, Ph.D., Calvin College, Philosophy Department, 352 Hiemenga Hall, 3201 Burton SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546.
Paul Adams, DSW, is professor emeritus of social work at the University of Hawaii. Myron B. Thompson School of Social Work, 1800 East-West Rd, Honolulu, HI 96822.
Joseph Kuilema, BSW, MSW, Instructor, Calvin College, Department of Sociology and Social Work, 3201 Burton SE, Grand Rapids, MI, 49546.
Charity Samantha Vo, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Baylor University, One Bear Place #97320, Waco, TX 76798-7320.
Rebecca Burwell, Ph.D. is Faculty & Practicum Group Coordinator at Chicago Semester, Chicago, IL. Phone: (312) 922-3243.
Mackenzi Huyser, Ph.D., MSW, is Professor of Social Work and Dean for Faculty Development & Academic Programs at Trinity Christian College, Palos Heights, IL.
Linda Plitt Donaldson, MSW, Ph.D., Associate Professor, National Catholic School of Social Service, Catholic University of America.
Lynn Milgram Mayer, MSW, Ph.D., Associate Professor, National Catholic School of Social Service, Catholic University of America.
Marleen Milner, Ph.D., MSSW, is Director of the Social Work Program, Southeastern University, 1000 Longfellow Blvd., Lakeland, FL 33801.