Thesis ID: CBB001561899

Theory Bridging between Sociology, Social Work and Ecology. Dynamic Interchanges and Cross-Fertilizations: The Intellectual Legacy of the Odum Family (2005)

unapi

Rotabi, Karen Smith (Author)


University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Weil, Marie O.


Publication Date: 2005
Edition Details: Advisor: Weil, Marie O.
Physical Details: 138 pp.
Language: English

The origin of holistic social work and ecological theory was investigated. Emphasis was placed on Howard W. Odum, founding dean of the University of North Carolina School of Public Welfare, and subsequent scholarship by his sons who collaborated on the first American ecology text. Both of Odum's sons, Eugene and Howard Thomas Odum, were internationally recognized ecological scholars recognized for their holistic contributions to science. Odum's eldest son, Eugene Odum, has been called the father of modern ecology. Throughout their numerous texts and manuscripts, both sons have identified holism as a universal concept originating in social sciences, crediting their father's earlier work, which then later bridged to ecosystems ecology. A review of the influential sociologists, social workers, and ecologists is presented to build the case for knowledge transfer across the three disciplines. Family interviews were conducted to investigate the family's holistic thinking, H. W. Odum's accomplishments as a theorist and social work administrator, how H. W. Odum's work has carried-on by his sons, controversy surrounding both generations work, in addition to today's most pressing social and ecological problems. Results indicated a pattern of holistic thinking within the family, a tolerance for criticism, an appreciation for their father's work as both a skillful administrator and a scholar, and concerns about fossil fuel and natural resource over-consumption. A final investigation was the current limitations of the ecological paradigm in social work and the narrow focus of human ecology rather than the whole system-both natural environments and human systems. Sustainable development is presented as an encompassing framework for social work education that integrates policy, planning, and practice to promote healthy families, communities, and environments. Content review of current environmental practice courses illustrates the present state of social work curriculum. Both international and domestic perspectives are presented, exploring examples of sustainable development practice and measurement. The discussion focuses on human, social, and economic development as it relates to the current environmental context. Conclusions include a call for social work education to address environmental problems, emphasizing a social planning, policy practice, and a social action approach.

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Description Cited in Diss. Abstr. Int. A 66/03 (2005): 1167. UMI pub. no. 3170538.


Citation URI
https://data.isiscb.org/isis/citation/CBB001561899/

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Authors & Contributors
Taylor, Peter J.
Christopher W. McCracken
Bernal-Marcos, Marcos José
Derek Van Ittersum
Waaldijk, Berteke
Stel, Jaap van der
Concepts
Sociology
Ecology
Interdisciplinary approach to knowledge
Social work
Science and society
Biology
Time Periods
20th century
19th century
20th century, late
Places
United States
Puerto Rico
Americas
Netherlands
Germany
France
Institutions
International Biological Program
Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore
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