Workshop Abstracts
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Workshop Session Descriptions NACSW Convention 2015 Grand Rapids, Michigan November 12th – November 15th, 2015 Convention 2015 Workshop Information The following presents a listing of workshop presentations that will be included in NACSW’s Convention 2015 with abstracts and presenters’ bios. The workshop sessions are sorted alphabetically by presenters’ last names. Workshop Title: Pursuing Shalom in Face of a Rising Tide of Anti-Semitism Workshop Presenters: Paul Adams, DSW, MSW Workshop Abstract: This workshop defines anti-Semitism and considers differences and similarities with other, less neglected forms of oppression. Examining the relation of anti-Semitism to anti-Americanism and anti-capitalism, its growth on campuses, in social work, and mainstream politics is discussed. We will assess the impact of these ideologies on efforts to eliminate poverty. Workshop Number: 20120664 - Learning Objectives: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: Define anti-Semitism as a form of oppression with similarities to and differences from other forms Assess several explanations for the rising tide of anti-Semitism in the European and North American mainstream and different responses to it Analyze the use of false moral equivalences, double standards, and other rhetorical devices to dehumanize Jews and delegitimize Israel Level of Presentation: Basic, Intermediate, Advanced Target Audience: Social Workers, Educators, Students Workshop Description and References: Anti-Semitism has been largely ignored in social work (Gold, 1996). If addressed, it is as discrimination against the vulnerable. Brennan (1995) discusses the rhetoric of anti-Semitism in the context of similar "word games" that dehumanize vulnerable groups like Blacks, women, and the unborn. Gold (1996; 2012) shows how Jews in North America suffer similar, but less visible discrimination. She proposes "Putting anti-Semitism on the anti-racism agenda in North American schools of social work" (JSWE, 32(1), 77-89). Noting these similarities, the workshop suggests that the rising tide of anti-Semitism needs to be approached differently if many social workers are even to see it as a problem. Roma (gypsy) people also are stereotyped and suffer discrimination in Europe, where they faced a similar fate under the Nazis. But no one accuses them of conspiring to take over the world, of controlling the media, finance, or entertainment. Sympathy for those who are poor, defenseless, and uneducated does not extend to the Jews, who are relatively well educated and successful. Social work's and Christians' obligation to confront the evil of anti-Semitism cannot escape the question of how prejudice against the Jews relates to hostility to the Jewish state. The rhetoric of anti-Semitism draws heavily on false moral equivalences common to leftist rhetoric but not used against other oppressed groups (the comparison of the Jewish state to Nazi genocide or South African apartheid, for example). We explore this fact as well as the double standards deployed against Israel in matters of human rights and war crime, state legitimacy and legality. We discuss the relation in recent movements of anti-Semitism to anti-Zionism, e.g., in the BDS movement on college campuses. In order to understand the distinct features of anti- Semitism, on campuses and the Left, where it has gone from radical fringe to political mainstream, we need to examine another kind of prejudice, shared among Europeans and some elites in North America: anti-Americanism. Less ancient and violent than anti- Semitism, it has since its earliest manifestations been associated empirically with prejudice against Jews and assumed many of the same features. These include stereotypes of Jews and Americans as crude, materialistic, decadent, individualistic, rootless, and rich (Markovitz, 2004). (The anti-capitalist Occupy Wall Street, for example, was also anti- Semitic, Rubin, 2011.) Anti-modern tendencies, including hostility to markets and globalization, is a common feature of anti-Semitism and anti-Americanism in all its manifestations. These ideologies often express envy and resentment for the economically successful and sympathy for the poor and oppressed in a zero-sum game where the gains of one result from the losses of others. Such views underlie many of the counterproductive approaches to eliminating poverty and blind many Christians and social workers to what in practice helps the poor. Presenter Bio (s): Paul Adams is Professor Emeritus of social work at the University of Hawaii. He writes on social welfare policy and professional and virtue ethics. His interests include the relation of family and informal helping to modern state systems of justice, care and control. His MSW is from the University of Sussex, UK and his doctorate from the University of California, Berkeley. His latest book, co-authored with Michael Novak, is Social Justice. Workshop Title: Mentor and Protégé: Evaluating the NACSW Faculty-Student Mentoring Program Workshop Presenters: Christson Adedoyin, MSW, PhD Michael Sherr PhD, LCSW Workshop Abstract: Moses handed the baton of leadership to Joshua. Elisha was blessed by his mentor, Elijah, with a double-portion of his anointing, and accomplishments. One unique membership benefit students derive from the NACSW is the assignment of senior faculty as their mentor. This presentation is an experiential discussion of a decade-long NACSW-initiated mentoring relationship between a mentor, and his protégé. Workshop Number: 20120666 - Learning Objectives: As a result of this workshop, participants will be able to: Understand the importance, process and outcomes of faculty mentoring to social work students who are members of the NACSW. Identify mentoring strategies that mentors utilize, and how these strategies enhance the spiritual, academic, and professional development of protégé. Evaluate the use of information technology and the concept of e- mentoring in the NACSW faculty-student mentoring program Level of Presentation: Advanced Target Audience: Social Workers, Educators, Students Workshop Description and References: Mentoring has been described by many scholars as the process by which senior colleagues intentionally commit to guiding students, or new professionals to learn the best practices of a profession. Mentoring can also be described as the supervised transition of moving from being a rookie to being an expert. It is unanimously accepted that the quality and competences of future faculty, or professionals is predicated on the willingness of senior colleagues to identify potentials in their students, and commit to being professional role models. Studies are replete in extant literature about secular academic mentoring (Boyle & Boice, 1998; Sands, Parsons, & Duane, 1991; Kasprisin, Single, Single, & Muller, 2003). However an observable gap, and opportunity for scholarship still exist on the mentoring relationship among faculty and protégés in faith-based academic and professional institutions (Cook, 2012; Cunningham, 1999; Lund, 2007). Consequently, the purpose of this presentation is to contribute to the emerging scholarship of mentoring among faculty and protégés in a faith-based professional organization like the NACSW. To this end, this presentation provides a platform to discuss the lived experiences of a faculty, and a protégé in the NACSW faculty-student mentoring program. The importance of this evaluation at a time like this cannot be overemphasized. This is more important in an era where the experiences of faith-driven professionals in social work have received mixed reactions in literature. As more students are "called" to the social work profession based on their faith, this presentation will attempt to provide answers to the following reflective questions: What are the intentional mentoring opportunities, strategies, and media that senior Christian social workers provide for this new generation of faith-driven social workers? What resources are available within the NACSW to mentor the future "Joshuas", "Elishas" and the "Timothys"? Who are the "Moses" “Elijahs” and "Pauls" in the NACSW, and how committed and intentional are they in passing-on the baton of scholarship, and practice wisdom to the next generation? What evidence-based support system exists to address the academic and professional challenges that the new generation of faith-driven social workers continually face? What works in the NACSW faculty- student mentoring program, and what part of the program needs improvement? The presenters draw from their over 10 years of combined experiences in the NACSW faculty-student mentoring program. Implications for professional and academic best- practices among faith-driven faculty-students' mentoring will be discussed. Furthermore, implications for the faith and spiritual growth or experiences of the faculty and the students in the mentoring relationship will be highlighted. Presenter Bio (s): Christson Adedoyin, MSW, PhD., is currently an Associate Professor in the Department of Social Work, School of Public Health at Samford University, Birmingham, Alabama. His research focus revolves around roles of congregations and religious institutions in addressing socio-economic and health disparities, African immigrants in Diaspora, and international social work. Michael E. Sherr PhD, LCSW is the Social Work Department Head at the University of Tennessee Chattanooga. He recently served on the Board of Directors for NACSW and is currently serving on the Commission for Education Policy