Social Justice and the Capabilities Approach: Seeking a Global Blueprint for the EPAS

ABSTRACT

The concept of social justice shapes several of the competencies and practice behaviors of the Council of Social Work Education’s Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards (EPAS). Furthermore, a global perspective guides the social work profession and influences its educational programs. A number of social work scholars have adopted the capabilities approach, as defined by economist Amartya Sen and political scientist Martha Nussbaum, as a globally relevant social justice framework. This article builds on this scholarship, suggesting that the capabilities approach provides a blueprint to rethink and conceptualize the EPAS social justice pedagogy in the global context. Teaching illustrations integrating the capabilities approach in an EPAS curriculum are offered.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Juliana Carlson

Juliana Carlson is assistant professor at University of Kansas. Hoa Nguyen is a lecturer at the Unitec Institute of Technology in New Zealand. James Reinardy is associate professor at University of Minnesota.

Hoa Nguyen

Juliana Carlson is assistant professor at University of Kansas. Hoa Nguyen is a lecturer at the Unitec Institute of Technology in New Zealand. James Reinardy is associate professor at University of Minnesota.

James Reinardy

Juliana Carlson is assistant professor at University of Kansas. Hoa Nguyen is a lecturer at the Unitec Institute of Technology in New Zealand. James Reinardy is associate professor at University of Minnesota.