Teaching Note—Handmaidens to Environmentalists? Claiming Social Work’s Expertise in Environmental Justice

ABSTRACT

Social work has clear expertise in efforts to secure economic and social justice. The addition of environmental justice is an opportunity to extend these same skills into a new justice realm. Social workers not only need to learn about environmental issues but also claim their niche in the environmental crisis and ensure that poor and marginalized people are not left out of solutions to environmental problems. In this teaching note, we discuss the potential for harnessing our niche in environmental justice education. We describe an interdisciplinary environmental justice social work course, curricular changes, and field opportunities that harness social work knowledge, values, and skills to be used in teaching, practicing, and creating environmental justice.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Nishesh Chalise

Nishesh Chalise is assistant professor of social work, and Christina Erickson is professor of social work and environmental studies at Augsburg University. Nkaujntsa Lee, MSW, is a graduate of Augsburg University.

Christina Erickson

Nishesh Chalise is assistant professor of social work, and Christina Erickson is professor of social work and environmental studies at Augsburg University. Nkaujntsa Lee, MSW, is a graduate of Augsburg University.

Nkaujntsa Lee

Nishesh Chalise is assistant professor of social work, and Christina Erickson is professor of social work and environmental studies at Augsburg University. Nkaujntsa Lee, MSW, is a graduate of Augsburg University.