Research Committee on
Clinical Sociology, RC46
Program Coordinator
- Tina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Assistant Program Coordinator
- Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
On-line abstracts submission
June 3, 2013 - September 30, 2013 24:00 GMT.A direct submission link will be provided in due course.
If you have questions about any specific session, please feel free to contact the Session Organizer for more information.
Proposed sessions
in alphabetical order:
Addressing Inequality before, during and after Difficult Times: Research, Intervention and Effective Outcomes
Integrative Session: RC46 Clinical Sociology, South African Sociological Association, Philippine Sociological Society and TG03 Human Rights and Global JusticeNot open for submission of abstracts.
Clinical and Critical Analysis of New Public Management
Analyse critique et clinique de la Nouvelle Gestion Publique
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English/French
The New Public Management had become a reference model in public institutions and the states. Are the basic paradigms of this management conception (utilitarianism, positivism, functionalism, objectivism) compatible whit the ones in clinical sociology? Managerial “reforms” planned or imposed in business firms, public services or institutions produce an increase of a deep workers’ ill being (psychosocial risks for health), expressed through stress, burn out, professional exhaustion, depression, moral harassment, suicide. What are the answers, theoretical or practical, that can be given, in clinical sociology, to address this social phenomenon?
Le New management public s’est imposé comme référence et comme modèle dans la gestion publique des institutions et des États. Les paradigmes qui fondent cette conception de la gestion (utilitarisme, positivisme, fonctionnalisme, objectivistes) sont-ils compatibles avec les paradigmes de la sociologie clinique ? Les « réformes » managériales voulues ou imposées des entreprises, des services publics et des institutions engendre une montée d’un mal être profond des travailleurs (risques psychosociaux) qui se traduit par des symptômes comme le stress, le burn out, l’épuisement professionnel, la dépression, le harcèlement, le suicide. Quelles réponses, théoriques, méthodologiques et pratiques, la sociologie clinique peut-elle apporter face à ce phénomène social global ?
Clinical Sociology Analysis and/or Intervention in Work or Educational Settings
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
Presentations are invited that deal with work and/or educational settings. Social scientists currently interested in the specialized area of work/labour in different capacities are encouraged to participate. Work takes on many forms in varied locations. The work context could be, for instance, an office building, a foreign country, a sidewalk or a ship at sea. Work intersects at multiple levels in diverse societies; these intersections include but are not limited to gender, race, class, ethnicity and nationality.
Both clinical sociology and education seek to improve the quality of life for all learners - both abled and differently abled learners. Presentations are encouraged from those working in the field of education.
Clinical Sociology and Community Intervention
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
This session focuses on the analysis and interventions that clinical sociologists engage in to improve the quality of life in communities, whether communities are defined as geographic areas or places; relationships; or as an expression of collective political power.
Presentations are welcome which discuss the ways in which individuals, community organisations and institutions help to address community issues, such as through improved service delivery; increased home ownership; increasing neighbourhood spirit; transportation initiatives, promotion of health and wellness; prevention of crime and improved climate.
We also are interested in presentations that analyse the causes of disadvantage (e.g., economic, education, political, racial, ethnic and/or gender causes) in communities and the need (as well as how) to mobilize people, power and other resources to effect social change and development in such communities.
Clinical Sociology and Inclusiveness
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
One of the basic values of clinical sociology is inclusivity. This session invites presentations focusing on gender; race; ethnicity; physical and mental challenges; sexuality; class; age; religion and/or other considerations that must be taken into account when putting inclusive initiatives in place. The papers may focus on the barriers or the ways in which barriers have been, are being or could be overcome.
Clinical Sociology and Social Change
Sociologie clinique et changement social
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English/French
The Social change perspective is a traditional basic issue in Clinical Sociology, anchored from the beginning on a dialectical relationship between theory and practice. Through different research and practice experiences, we are to examine how and to what extent social change is produced. Different models and strategies are first to be distinguished, for example the planning of change, based on problem solving and pragmatic principles or more interpretive and symbolic interaction models, or more radical change models. We also will evaluate what is changed: people (attitudes, political consciousness, ways of thinking), collectives and power relationships (in organizations and institutions), and/or structural dimensions (rules, governance models, policies). What do we change, actually?
Le changement social est une dimension traditionnelle de base en sociologie clinique, ancrée depuis le début sur une perspective des rapports dialectiques entre théorie et pratique. A partir de différentes expériences de recherche et d’intervention, il convient d’étudier comment et jusqu’à quel point un changement social se produit. Nous devons d’abord distinguer différents modèles de changement, comme celui du Changement planifié, fondé sur les principes du Pragmatisme et sur le modèle de résolution de problème, ou ceux fondés sur des modèles Interprétatifs ou d’interactionnisme symbolique, ou d’autre plus radicaux. Il faut ensuite d’apprécier ce qui et changé : les personnes (attitudes, conscience politique, façons de penser), les collectifs et les relations de pouvoir (dans les organisations et les institutions), des dimensions structurelles (règles, modèles de gouvernance, politiques). Que changeons-nous, finalement?
Clinical Sociology, Cultural Diversity and Immigration
Sociologie clinique, diversité culturelle et immigration
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English/French
Migrations, in all countries, international immigration or internal migrations inside a country constitute a major social phenomenon. In the cities, at school, in the workplace, in health services, in the political public sphere, diversity is the word. How can we build a society based on an inclusive social democracy, a true citizenship that addresses the dialectical tension between universal rights and duties and “otherness”, the basic differences expressed through languages, values, beliefs, life habits, gender relationships? Presentations are welcome on all kinds of cultural diversity and immigration/migration issues.
Les migrations dans tous les pays, que ce soient l’immigration internationale ou les migrations internes dans un pays constituent un phénomène social majeur. Dans les villes, à l’école, dans les milieux de travail, dans la sphère publique, la diversité est la règle. Comment construire une société fondée sur une démocratie sociale, une citoyenneté qui se définit dans une tension dialectique entre des droits et devoirs universels et « l’altérité », sur des différences fondamentales de langues, de valeurs, de croyances, d’habitudes de vie, de relations de genre ? Les présentations sont les bienvenus sur tous les types de diversité culturelle et les questions d`immigration/migration.
Clinical Sociology, Health and Social Policy
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
Presentations are invited that deal with important human needs and desires such as food; shelter; a sustainable and safe environment; the promotion of health; the treatment of illness; inclusion; education; training; labour; adoption; abortion; and social security.
Abstracts are welcome about clinical sociological analysis and/or intervention in the health care sector in areas including health care delivery, health planning, health education, health care organizations and professions, and health policy.
We particularly are interested in the analysis of social policies (e.g., guidelines, principles, legislation, mandates, and treaties) that have been put in place to meet human needs and learning about actual practices and change initiatives in relation to social policies.
Courses, Programmes, Certification and Accreditation in Clinical Sociology
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
Presentations for this session could examine the development of selected courses in clinical sociology and/or the certification/licensure possibilities for clinical sociologists in selected countries. In addition, selected programmes in clinical sociology could be analysed (for instance, in terms of their development, coverage, desirability and effectiveness). There also could be analyses of certification or program accreditation efforts.
Destructive Social Experiences and/or Dependencies
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
This session looks at extremely difficult social experiences such as bullying; war; mafia and gang control; and harmful cultural practices. It also covers emotional and behavioural dependencies such as addiction to drugs, alcohol, work, food, sex or gambling. The session also can discuss co-dependency (people may form or maintain relationships that are one-sided, emotionally destructive and/or physically abusive). Papers are invited that analyse one or more phenomena in a single locality or make comparisons of various kinds (e.g., by geographic setting, different kinds of experiences) and/or discuss attempts to intervene.
Epistemology, Theories, Research Methods and/or Research Ethics in Clinical Sociology
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
Although much sociological research and intervention is about program or policy development, clinical sociologists also have epistemological, theoretical, methodological and ethical considerations in designing and gaining approval for their work.
Abstracts are welcome about any of these issues. The presentations might be about, for instance the different experiences in clinical sociology research and intervention in different countries; the basic criteria for a typical or ideal clinical sociology practice; or the way ethical dilemmas have been or could be addressed. Among epistemological issues, presentations may connect contemplative knowledge and practices with our discipline at theoretical, empirical and professional levels.
Contemplative practices come mainly from religious and spiritual backgrounds (contemplative knowledge). Contemplative knowledge challenges disciplines about what should be considered as the self and experience, recognizing the body and sensations as part of knowledge construction.
History of Clinical Sociology in Countries and Regions: Descriptions and/or Comparisons
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
This session will examine the history of clinical sociology in selected countries and regions. Various topics may be covered including the following: case studies of countries or regions; histories of clinical sociology organizations; biographies of individual clinical sociologists; histories of subfields in clinical sociology (e.g., health, community development); and comparisons of developments in clinical sociology in selected countries and regions.
RC46 Business Meeting
Session OrganizersTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Sociology and Social Work: Past, Present and Future
Session OrganizerTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English
This session will look at the history, development and concerns of the two fields in selected countries. Papers are invited about a range of topics including the similarities and differences in the two fields in terms of theories, research methods and/or practices; emergent trends; teaching and/or internship issues; occupational hazards and challenges facing practitioners; the influence of the two fields on social policy; professionalization efforts; opportunities and collaborations. Also of particular interest is the relationship between the two fields over time.
Violence and Suffering in the Workplace
Violence et souffrance dans les milieux de travail
Session OrganizerTina UYS, University of Johannesburg, South Africa, tuys@uj.ac.za
Jan Marie FRITZ, University of Cincinnati, USA, jan.fritz@uc.edu
Session in English/French
In a context of globalization, increasing complexity and constant reorganizations, the relationship to work has become uncertain and chaotic. The transition from industrial capitalism to financial capitalism was accompanied by a transformation of modes of corporate governance. The need to improve productivity to satisfy the rate of return required by "financial markets" has put businesses in a headlong rush. The reorganization has become the norm. Inside the enterprise, the way of functioning is based on the search for immediate efficacy, in a temporal context dominated by immediacy and continual acceleration. With the triumph of managerial ideology, the quest for a meaningful work and the recognition of the person’s contribution in management are strikingly absent.
These are the consequences in terms of individual and collective suffering that will be discussed during this session. Attempts to cope with this ‘economic violence’ will also be studied.
Joint Sessions
Click on the session title to read its description.Human Rights and Clinical Sociology
Joint session of RC46 Clinical Sociology and TG03 Human Rights and Global Justice [host committee]
