{"title":"Conversations about Race and Racism: A Qualitative Study of the Classroom Experiences of Recently Graduated MSW Alumni","authors":"Bryan Warde, J. Kahn, J. Greenberg","doi":"10.1080/00377317.2022.2026854","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"ABSTRACT Discussing race and racism in classroom settings presents challenges for instructors and students alike. Although studies have shown that these conversations are difficult, the literature on higher education classrooms in general and social work education is sparse. This qualitative study used focus groups to explore the perceptions and experiences of 28 recent MSW graduates discussing race and racism in their MSW courses. Analysis of the data revealed four themes: the variability in experience of discussion, pedagogical techniques and the role of the instructor, participants’ emotional reactions, and advice for instructors. The findings imply that classroom discussions about race and racism must be intentional and comprehensive. Central to this are instructors who acknowledge their positionality and its impact on classroom dynamics.","PeriodicalId":45273,"journal":{"name":"SMITH COLLEGE STUDIES IN SOCIAL WORK","volume":"92 1","pages":"28 - 47"},"PeriodicalIF":1.4000,"publicationDate":"2022-01-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"2","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"SMITH COLLEGE STUDIES IN SOCIAL WORK","FirstCategoryId":"1085","ListUrlMain":"https://doi.org/10.1080/00377317.2022.2026854","RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":null,"ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q2","JCRName":"SOCIAL WORK","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 2
Abstract
ABSTRACT Discussing race and racism in classroom settings presents challenges for instructors and students alike. Although studies have shown that these conversations are difficult, the literature on higher education classrooms in general and social work education is sparse. This qualitative study used focus groups to explore the perceptions and experiences of 28 recent MSW graduates discussing race and racism in their MSW courses. Analysis of the data revealed four themes: the variability in experience of discussion, pedagogical techniques and the role of the instructor, participants’ emotional reactions, and advice for instructors. The findings imply that classroom discussions about race and racism must be intentional and comprehensive. Central to this are instructors who acknowledge their positionality and its impact on classroom dynamics.
期刊介绍:
Smith College Studies in Social Work focuses on the vital issues facing practitioners today, featuring only those articles that advance theoretical understanding of psychological and social functioning, present clinically relevant research findings, and promote excellence in clinical practice. This refereed journal addresses issues of mental health, therapeutic process, trauma and recovery, psychopathology, racial and cultural diversity, culturally responsive clinical practice, intersubjectivity, the influence of postmodern theory on clinical practice, community based practice, and clinical services for specific populations of psychologically and socially vulnerable clients.