Beyond Words: Comics in the Social Work Classroom

ABSTRACT

Equipping future social workers to interrogate social justice, human rights, and cultural issues requires a revision of social work education. Culturally relevant teaching is increasingly important in today’s globalized world. In this article, we explore the role of comics as a form of social work pedagogy to tackle complex social issues. The article argues that comics offer specific benefits to educators seeking to develop critical thinking and self-reflexivity in their students. We present findings from focus group discussions with social work students to examine the relevance of comics in social work education. Ultimately, the use of comics as a teaching tool contributes to the effective preparation of future social workers through the mutual transformation it engenders in students and educators.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Bree Akesson

Bree Akesson is an Assistant Professor at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Lyle S. Hallman Faculty of Social Work in Ontario, Canada.

Olufunke Oba

Olufunke Oba is a faculty member with the University of Regina’s Faculty of Social Work in Saskatchewan, Canada.