DEMOKRACIA • Stav – Kontexty – Perspektívy

E-publication

Lucia Tóthová

The monograph offers a comprehensive perspective on the theoretical, methodological, and empirical dimensions of participatory visual research within the field of social work. It is grounded in the understanding that social work plays a crucial role in amplifying the voices of vulnerable groups and promoting social justice, with particular attention paid to persons with disabilities who frequently encounter limited opportunities for participation as well as persistent social, communicative, and environmental barriers. The author analyses the concept of participation in alignment with the principle of “Nothing about us without us” and presents the PhotoVoice method as an interdisciplinary tool that integrates participatory action research, critical pedagogy, feminist epistemologies, and documentary photography. The method is understood not only as a research technique but also as a form of visual advocacy, enabling participants to articulate their experiences, needs, and perspectives in ways accessible to both professional audiences and the wider public. The monograph reflects on the development of PhotoVoice in international scholarship and highlights its potential to transcend traditional academic boundaries toward participatory and transformative practice in social work. The empirical section comprises three projects conducted by the author in the Slovak context, focusing on diverse groups of persons with disabilities and their families, who face specific social needs and everyday barriers. The findings demonstrate the potential of PhotoVoice to strengthen participation through accessible and meaningful visual tools. The monograph also addresses methodological, ethical, and terminological considerations and adopts an inclusive understanding of disability consistent with contemporary approaches in social work.

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E-book

Zuzana Boberová

The aim of this university textbook is primarily to provide a comprehensive and systematic overview of the basic legislative documents related to pedagogical activities and the educational work of teachers in school practice. The textbook is primarily intended for students of academic teacher training programs, as well as recent graduates of teacher education who are beginning their teaching careers.

This publication is unique in that it does not focus on specific legislative documents and their descriptions, but rather presents the meaning and wording of various legislative documents in the context of key concepts of educational activities and typical school situations. The publication does not include the full text of cited paragraphs from laws, decrees, and ministerial guidelines, but only excerpts that are relevant to the focus and needs of the textbook.

In this way, we aim to help teacher training students and beginning teachers orient themselves regarding their rights and responsibilities as defined and delineated by school legislation, and especially to help them understand the basic legislative requirements placed on every teacher in school practice. This includes participation in the preparation of the school educational program, understanding the professional development of teachers, student assessment, approaches to students with special needs, as well as handling common school situations such as disciplinary measures, school accidents, ski training, or school events.

Given the scope of these areas, we have divided the topics into two publications according to their thematic focus.

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E-book

Katarína Šiňanská - Dušan Šlosár

The presented monograph deals with various views on of the community issue and community work, with which  area of social work or other helping professions is closely connected. It offers theoretical analysis as a basic theoretical framework of the issue, which is necessary to know in the study and in the performance of the practice in the helping profession. The authors consider community work to be one of the possibilities for fully involving the inhabitants in co-responsible decision-making on things that fundamentally affect their lives.

The monograph characterizes in  fifteen chapters the community and the processes that takes place in it, outlines a brief history and approaches in community work. It offers theoretical background, which is used in community work as a necessary prerequisite for a professional approach practice. The monograph also points to the important position of professional help in community.

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E-journal

Juraj Schenk et al.

The scientific journal Sociálne a politické analýzy (Social and Political Analyses) serves as an interactive electronic platform for communication and the presentation (publication) of experts and their work in the fields of basic and applied research and analyses within sociological, psychological, political, and methodological contexts. It is a medium focused on intensively supporting research activities and analyses within an interdisciplinary framework, facilitating the exchange of experiences, fostering collaboration, and revitalizing the production of scientific work in this area.

The publication section of the journal offers space for works such as:

- Original sociological, psychological, and political studies and analyses in any areas of social life

- Methodological studies

- Research reports

- Studies from qualification theses Research and analysis projects

- Reviews

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