Description
Book SynopsisAn expert introduction to the foundations of the social work professionfrom its historical roots to its evolution in an era of evidence-based practice
The Profession of Social Work provides a broad overview of the history, scope, values, ethics, and organizational framework of the social work profession. Exploring professional ethics and human rights, evidence-based practice and practice-guided research, as well as emerging trends and issues, this important book presents topics of critical importance to anyone considering a career in social work.
Each chapter in the text offers an array of pedagogical features, including Key Terms, Review Questions for Critical Thinking, and Online Resources.
Ideal for introductory courses for both undergraduate and graduate students, The Profession of Social Work features coverage closely aligned with social work accreditation standards (EPAS) and includes chapters authored by established scholars on topics incl
Trade Review
"Students, social work educators, and social work practitioners who want to understand the social work profession of today contextualized in our rich history can stop looking .... I am happy to endorse this book for any introductory course on social work. Undergraduates through doctoral students will find this textbook uniquely informative." (The New Social Worker, 2013)
Table of Contents
Preface viii
About the Editors x
Contributors xi
Chapter 1 The History of Social Work and Social Welfare 1
Leslie Leighninger
Religious Origins of Social Work 1
Government Enters the Picture 4
The Rise of the Market 8
Jane Addams and the Settlement House 13
The Progressive Era 18
Professionalization Begins 20
The Great Depression 23
The Postwar Period and Further Organization 26
The Age of Reagan 28
The Age of Impasse 31
Key Terms 32
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 32
Online Resources 32
References 33
Chapter 2 Educating for Social Work 35
Julia M. Watkins and Jessica Holmes
Need for Trained Social Workers 36
Accreditation 37
Purpose of Social Work Education 39
Education for Practice 44
Opportunities and Challenges 45
Curriculum for the 21st Century 47
Key Terms 48
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 48
Online Resources 48
References 49
Chapter 3 Social Work Practice in the New Millennium 51
June G. Hopps and Tony B. Lowe
Summary of the Profession’s Evolution 52
Purpose of Social Work Practice 53
Social Work’s Relation to Biological and Social Sciences 56
Conceptual Framework of Practice 57
Primacy of the Methods Triad 60
Treatment and the Joining of Casework and Group Work 68
Fields of Practice 77
The Future 79
Key Terms 80
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 80
Online Resources 80
References 81
Chapter 4 Professional Credentials and Professional Regulations: Social Work Professional Development 91
Donna DeAngelis and Mary Jo Monahan
Development of Social Work as a Profession 91
Professional Credentials 92
Key Terms 102
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 102
Online Resources 102
References 103
Chapter 5 Social Work Organizations 105
Gary R. Lowe and Terry L. Singer
The Beginning: 1600 to 1900 106
The Educational and Organizational Foundations for Social Work 111
Education 119
The 1950s 122
Fragmentation Versus Unity: A Reflection on a Theme Between Practice and Education 129
Conclusion 134
Key Terms 134
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 135
Online Resources 135
References 136
Chapter 6 Values and Ethics for Professional Social Work Practice 137
Kimberly Strom-Gottfried
Understanding Values 137
Opportunities for Conflict 139
Ethics 140
Core Areas in Social Work Ethics 143
Conclusion 158
Key Terms 158
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 158
Online Resources 159
References 159
Chapter 7 The Strengths Perspective: Putting Possibility and Hope to Work in Our Practice 163
Dennis Saleebey
Origins and Background of Strengths-Based Knowing and Doing 165
Reaction Against the Medical/Deficit Model 168
Core Conditions of Change and Positive Development 172
Principles of the Strengths Perspective 176
What Are Strengths and How Do You Discover Them? 180
Conclusion 185
Key Terms 186
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 186
Online Resources 187
References 187
Chapter 8 Putting Evidence-Based Practice Into Practice 191
James G. Barber
Common Myths About Evidence-Based Practice 192
What Evidence-Based Practice Is 195
Obstacles to Implementation 199
Conclusion 200
Key Terms 201
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 201
Online Resources 201
References 202
Chapter 9 Improving the Scientific Base of Social Work Practice 203
Allen Rubin and Danielle E. Parrish
The Research-Practice Chasm 203
Evidence-Based Practice Movement 209
Implications for Making Social Work Practice More Scientific 214
Conclusion 218
Key Terms 219
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 220
Online Resources 220
References 220
Chapter 10 Contemporary Issues in Social Work 225
Stanley L. Witkin and Roberta Rehner Iversen
What Do We Mean by ‘‘Issues’’? 225
From the Modern to the Postmodern: Social Construction and Social Work 228
Globalization and Global Social Work 233
Evidence-Based Practice 239
Ethics 245
The Profession, Professionals, and Personalization 250
Key Terms 255
Review Questions for Critical Thinking 256
Online Resources 256
References 256
Author Index 263
Subject Index 267
