Call for Papers: Social Work & Christianity

Topic: Social Work and Catholic Social Teaching

Deadlines for Submission for Proposals:

Early submission/Abstracts of Intent – early June 2011

Paper submission deadline – August 21, 2011

Guest Editors:

Linda Plitt Donaldson (Catholic University of America) – donaldson@cua.edu; 202-319-5478

Kathleen Belanger (Stephen F. Austin State University) – kbelanger@sfasu.edu; 936-468- 1807

An upcoming special issue of Social Work and Christianity (SWC) will explore the contribution that Catholic Social Teaching can make to social work practice, research, and education as we face increasingly complex social, economic, and global environments.

Catholic Social Teaching (CST) is an essential part of the Catholic faith. It is rooted in the Hebrew prophets’ call to “do justice, love goodness, and walk humbly with your God” (Micah 6:8), and is based on the life, words, and Person of Jesus who identified with the poor and marginalized, lived a life of service and justice, and taught us to love our neighbor as we love ourselves. Building on Catholicism’s long and rich history, modern CST spans more than a century, and draws from numerous papal encyclicals and other Church documents to address the challenges of poverty, human rights, wealth disparities, and other injustices experienced across the world.

The principles of Catholic Social Teaching are congruent with social work values. Both share a core commitment to service and meeting the needs of vulnerable people. Both share the view that the inherent dignity and worth of the human person and the importance of human relationships serve as the guiding values in the pursuit of social and economic justice. Both traditions have strong roots in social reform, and have produced volumes of written materials calling on social workers or people of good will to work for structural change.

Submissions in the following areas are particularly requested:

I. Conceptual offerings providing definitional clarity and theoretical frameworks supporting the integration of key principles of Catholic Social Teaching and social work. Core principles of CST include: dignity and worth of the person; the common good; subsidiary; solidarity; and the preferential option for the poor. Manuscripts related to other CST principles such as stewardship of creation; dignity of work and rights of workers; promotion of peace are also welcome.

II. Articles that apply Catholic Social Teaching to social work practice

III. Articles focused on research or research methods informed by or grounded in Catholic Social Teaching

IV. Articles focused on the integration of Catholic Social Teaching in social work education.

V. Articles focusing on the history of the Catholic perspective in social work education and practice.

Guidelines for submitting manuscripts:

All authors are strongly encouraged to contact one of the special edition editors (Linda Plitt Donaldson; donaldson@cua.edu; 202-319-5478 or Kathleen Belanger; kbelanger@sfasu.edu; 936-468- 1807) by early June 2011 to discuss ideas for paper submissions. The deadline for all paper submissions is August 21, 2011. Completed manuscripts must be sent by August 21, 2011 to Linda Plitt Donaldson, special edition co-editor.