Product Description

The Fifth Edition of this innovative text continues to emphasize a generalist, empowerment-oriented approach, along with practice strategies and techniques for working toward individual client and social change. The Fifth Edition updates the contemporary themes of social work practice into an integrated practice process. New resources extend the research base, add breadth and depth, and position this book as a defining work for articulating an empowerment-based method of social work practice.

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Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #536574 in Books
• Published on: 2006-07-02
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 560 pages

From the Back Cover

Overview:

The fifth edition of this innovative text continues to emphasize a generalist, empowerment-oriented approach, along with practice strategies and techniques for working toward individual client and social change.

 

Highlights of the Fifth Edition:

·        The integration of material on practice, human behavior, policy, and research makes this text a unifying piece of any social work curriculum and a good fit for the new CSWE Educational Policy and Accreditation Standards

·        New boxes in each chapter highlight the connection between practice, policy, and research.

·        Sensitizes students to human diversity and ways to increase cultural competence in practice.

·        The comprehensive instructor's manual and test bank, written by the authors, completely outlines the book and offers activities, exercises, and handouts for each chapter.

 

 

What Reviewers Are Saying:

“The major strengths of this text include the following: (1) a generalist framework that reflects the multi-faceted nature of contemporary social work practice; (2) an empowerment-oriented approach that views clients as partners in the helping process; (3) a readable style that is accessible to a broad audience; (4) fundamental concepts that are applicable to a wide range of social work practice environments.”

 

--Andrew Scharlach, University of California–Berkeley

 

 

“Overall, I consider this to be an excellent text. The best one I have yet found for use in teaching generalist practice concepts, process, and methods….”

 

--Cynthia Bishop, Meredith College

 

 

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About the Author

 

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Customer Reviews

Excellent Basic Text
I must admit that I have a bias in the other direction. I not only used the textbook in a couple of courses some of those classes were taught by Michael O'Melia or Brenda DuBois. Their explanations of text material went well beyond the "basic" or "generalist". I would suggest that the knowledge of the professor using the text can make a tremendous difference in how the material is presented. "Strengths" and "Empowerment" have become buzz words within the profession. Many are not familiar enough with the academic foundations and philosophy of this approach to do it justice or credit. Having been taught by professors well versed in the approach helped me see/learn the difference between these words being "catch phrases" and the grounded, encompassing method of practice that flows from them.

I would recommend this text for any BSW or MSW program. I have even used portions of the text for other 300 and 400 level social sciences courses I teach outside social work profession.

Average at Best
I suppose I have an inbred bias toward this book because I didn't care for the corresponding class for which it was originally purchased. In any case, I have always had a problem with books that only stress the empowerment approach and the strengths perspective as the only form of treatment. I didn't like this text because I don't feel focusing on one technique qualifies as a "generalist approach," regardless of how well you can simultaneously juggle micro and macro level issues.
In addition, the book reads like a primer. It is relentlessly generalist in its explanation of things. Some complex issues are only given a brief paragraph-long description. I think it is a good book for someone who has absolutely no idea what social workers do. Those who are looking to mature their skills should skip this book and opt for something more in depth.

Would have been great if it came with code for online services
Very informative, but would have been great to have a code for the online services.