Juha Hamalainen Social Pedagogy
I
fl tl 93 fi Received: 15.03.2005.
PROFESSIONAL PAPER
il
UDK:376.5 fl rff
SOCIAL PEDAGOGY AS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE
IN THB FAMILY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES: THE FINNISH
SCENARIO
il
H
H
fl il ,l i Juha Hamalainen
University of Kuopio, Finland
ABSTRACT
The nature of social pedagogy as an academic discipline is discussed from the point of view of the experiences on the development of social pedagogy in Finland. Attention is paid especially to the position of social pedagogy in the body of social sciences and its relation to social work.
There are two universities in Finland, in which studies of social pedagogy are offered and social pedagogy is established as a discipline. In addition to this, study programmes based on the concept of social pedagogy are developed in several polytechnics. However, there is no academic tradition in Finland based on the concept of social pedagogy. Therefore, it makes sense to consider the rise of academic interest in the subject.
In the short history of academic social pedagogy in Finland, the most important themes of debate have been the content of the concept and the relation of social pedagogy to social work. Social pedagogy is defined in terms of theory and practice based on theoretical foundations of its own.
It has been seen a discipline useful not only for one certain profession but for several professional groups. Thus, it has been developed as a dynamic entirety being composed of research, academic education and practical activities without special professional interests.
This goes to show that social pedagogy is not identified with social work like in some countries.
A strong tradition of social work in Finland is connected with sociologically oriented social policy in theory as well as practice, and in a way with psychological theories as well. In relation to social work, social pedagogy is viewed rather as a new theoretical approach than a parallel corresponding subject.
In the family of social sciences, social
fl tl 93 fi Received: 15.03.2005.
PROFESSIONAL PAPER
il
UDK:376.5 fl rff
SOCIAL PEDAGOGY AS AN ACADEMIC DISCIPLINE
IN THB FAMILY OF SOCIAL SCIENCES: THE FINNISH
SCENARIO
il
H
H
fl il ,l i Juha Hamalainen
University of Kuopio, Finland
ABSTRACT
The nature of social pedagogy as an academic discipline is discussed from the point of view of the experiences on the development of social pedagogy in Finland. Attention is paid especially to the position of social pedagogy in the body of social sciences and its relation to social work.
There are two universities in Finland, in which studies of social pedagogy are offered and social pedagogy is established as a discipline. In addition to this, study programmes based on the concept of social pedagogy are developed in several polytechnics. However, there is no academic tradition in Finland based on the concept of social pedagogy. Therefore, it makes sense to consider the rise of academic interest in the subject.
In the short history of academic social pedagogy in Finland, the most important themes of debate have been the content of the concept and the relation of social pedagogy to social work. Social pedagogy is defined in terms of theory and practice based on theoretical foundations of its own.
It has been seen a discipline useful not only for one certain profession but for several professional groups. Thus, it has been developed as a dynamic entirety being composed of research, academic education and practical activities without special professional interests.
This goes to show that social pedagogy is not identified with social work like in some countries.
A strong tradition of social work in Finland is connected with sociologically oriented social policy in theory as well as practice, and in a way with psychological theories as well. In relation to social work, social pedagogy is viewed rather as a new theoretical approach than a parallel corresponding subject.
In the family of social sciences, social
References: (e.g. Hamalainen 1996; Kurki 2002). Also, basic research is necessarily needed for the development (eds.) (2003): Perspectives and Theory in Social Gustavsson, Hamalainen, J. (1989): Social Pedagogy as a MetaTheory of Social Work Education. International Social Work 32. Hamalainen, J. (1996): Sosiaalipedagogiikan oppihisto- riallinen kehitys Saksassa Hamalainen, J. (2003): Developing social pedagogy as Kurki, L. (2000): Sosiokulttuurinen innostaminen - muutoksen pedagogiikka. Tampere: Vastapaino. [SocioCultural Motivation - Pedagogy of Changes. Tampere: Vastapaino.l Kurki, L. (2002): Persoona ja yhteiso ' Personalistinen sosiaalipedagogiikka