Premium
Bridging the gap between theory and practice in graduate training
Author(s) -
Innes Robert B.
Publication year - 1981
Publication title -
journal of community psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.585
H-Index - 86
eISSN - 1520-6629
pISSN - 0090-4392
DOI - 10.1002/1520-6629(198107)9:3<270::aid-jcop2290090312>3.0.co;2-d
Subject(s) - praxis , dialectic , reciprocal , bridging (networking) , interdependence , social work , curriculum , agency (philosophy) , professional development , sociology , pedagogy , engineering ethics , psychology , medical education , political science , engineering , computer science , medicine , epistemology , computer network , social science , philosophy , linguistics , law
The article focuses on specific elements of a master's level program which represent practical applications of open‐humanistic and dialectic theory to professional training. Emphasis is placed on innovations which demonstrate how the concept of praxis can be applied to education. Specific innovations discussed include: (a) The traditional core curriculum, oriented toward an academic discipline, was replaced by a focus on a specific social problem (development of young children); (b) The program operates as a community service agency linking the campus to the service‐delivery system. This change fosters an interdependent relationship with community agencies which allows trainees to become involved in genuine professional activity; and (c) The program has moved away from a hierarchical student/teacher relationship to a reciprocal model.