Social Work for Sociologists : Theory and Practice

Social Work for Sociologists introduces important frameworks, concepts, models, and skills from social work that will help sociologists as they plan their human service careers and will prepare them to tackle social problems with practical solutions. In Social Work for Sociologists, a team of international authors with backgrounds in social work and sociology explain and illustrate how "the social work imagination" links theory and practice to interventions and outcomes. Van Heugten, Gibbs, and contributors address lingering disciplinary divisions and controversies about the appropriateness of engaging with public issues and social justice concerns, and introduce key values, ethics, and practice frameworks. Finally, they illustrate the utility of social work practice frameworks in fields including child welfare, group work, bicultural and multicultural practice, community work, workplace mobbing, and research Cover 1 Title 4 Copyright 5 Contents 8 List of Figures 10 Acknowledgments 12 Introduction 14 Local and Global Contexts 15 Structure of the Book 16 Part I: Key Frameworks, Ethics, and Values 20 1. Overview of the Historical and Contextual Development of Sociology and Social Work 22 Introduction 22 Historical Connections and Disconnections 24 New Voices 29 Social Work and Sociology Today 33 Conclusion 35 Reflective Questions 35 References 36 2. Key Social Work Frameworks for Sociologists 40 Introduction 40 Frameworks and Theories 41 Case Study: Aleena and Family 41 A Framework for Critical Reflection 42 Narrative, Strengths, and Solution-Focused Frameworks 44 Ecosystems Frameworks 45 Anti-oppressive and Empowerment Frameworks 47 Rights-Based Frameworks 49 Indigenous Frameworks 51 Task-Centered Framework 54 Conclusion 56 Reflective Questions 56 References 57 3. Key Values, Ethics, and Skills for Working with People 60 Introduction 60 The Place of Values in Practice 61 Definitions of Values and Ethics 62 Historical Shifts in Thinking about Values and Ethics 65 Ethical Theories Underpinning Ethical Decision Making 67 Social Work Values 68 Social Work Skills 69 Resolving Ethical Dilemmas 71 Conclusion 75 Reflective Questions 75 References 75 Part II: Application of Social Work Frameworks to Practice with Families, Organizations, and Communities 78 4. Moving from Risk to Safety: Work with Children and Families in Child Welfare Contexts 80 Introduction 80 A Sociology of Risk 81 Social Work Theories: Strengths and Safety Perspectives 86 Case Study: Working toward a Child and Family Balance 90 Pulling the Threads Together 92 Conclusion 93 Reflective Questions 94 References 94 5. Working with Groups: Group Work with Young Pacific Islands People 98 Introduction 98 From University to Work: An Illustrative Experience 100 Supporting the Case for Applied Sociology 101 Group Work 103 Group Work with Pacific Young People 108 Conclusion 112 Reflective Questions 113 References 113 6. Bicultural Practice: Beyond Mere Tokenism 116 Introduction 116 Definitions and Origins of Biculturalism 116 Social Work and Biculturalism 119 Multiculturalism, Biculturalism, and Monoculturalism 120 Working Biculturally 122 Bicultural Positions and Bicultural Practices 126 Conclusion 129 Reflective Questions 130 References 130 7. Analyzing and Solving Social Problems 134 Introduction 134 Social Problems 135 A Social Problem: Family Poverty in New Zealand 136 Explanatory and Interventive Theory for Social Problem Analysis 137 Explanatory Theories and Social Problems 140 Interventive Theories and Strategies 144 Applying the Theoretical Framework to Family Poverty 147 Conclusion 149 Reflective Questions 150 References 150 8. Stress and Violence in the Workplace: Theory and Practice 154 Introduction 154 Workplace Stress 155 Stressful Situations in the Workplace 158 Conclusion 165 Reflective Questions 166 References 166 9. Facilitating Research Mindedness in a Sociology Research Internship Course 170 Introduction 170 Course Motivation and Design 172 Initial Course Design: Painting by Numbers 174 Dismantling the Scaffolding 175 Experiential Learning: The Fear Factor 177 Abstract Learning versus the Real World 179 Conclusion 181 Reflective Questions 182 References 182 Conclusion 184 References 187 Notes on Contributors 190 Index 194 In Social Work for Sociologists, a team of international authors with backgrounds in social work and sociology explain and illustrate how "the social work imagination" links theory and practice to interventions and outcomes. Van Heugten, Gibbs, and contributors address lingering disciplinary divisions and controversies about the appropriateness of engaging with public issues and social justice concerns, and introduce key values, ethics, and practices frameworks. Finally, they illustrate the utility of social work practice frameworks in fields including child welfare, group work, bicultural and multicultural practice, community work, workplace mobbing, and research. -- from back cover