Transforming Swedish Social Work with Engaged Anthropology

Abstract

Author reflects on anthropological tools and perspectives used during the past 6 years teaching in an intercultural and international social work program in Northern Sweden. An anthropological critique of power, informed by postcolonial and critical race perspectives, contributes to an engaged analysis of the policy applications of terms such as culture and multiculturalism. Author examines how broadened definitions of social work advance understanding of the history of social work in welfare societies such as Sweden and transform social work practice from normalizing instances to praxis with an eye on social change and justice in global perspective.