Applying Complexity and Emergence in Social Work Education

Author: Wolf-Branigin, Michael

Source: Social Work Education, Volume 28, Number 2, March 2009 , pp. 115-127(13)

Publisher: Routledge, part of the Taylor & Francis Group

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Abstract:

Complexity theory provides social work educators, researchers, and evaluators with a promising approach for examining the concepts of interconnectedness, non-linearity and emergence. This paper introduces complexity theory, provides an example in which a large international non-governmental organization developed the capacity to address the issue of human trafficking, and discusses implications for applying this approach to social work education coursework. Social work applications of complexity range from understanding emerging social movements, to encouraging human rights and resiliency in target populations, to understanding the interdependencies of communities.

Keywords: Social Work Education; Complexity Theory; Emergence; Self-organization; Social Innovation

Document Type: Research article

DOI: 10.1080/02615470802028090