Theory for Social Work Practice. Ruth Elizabeth Smalley. New York: Columbia University Press, 1967. 326 pp. $7.50 Hardbound

Study findings suggest that selective processes and graduate education combine to produce a professional social worker who has a favorable orientation toward public dependency. Previous studies which found no relation between graduate education and value change or which found a negative relation, may be explained on the basis that the values studied may not have found expression in the curriculum or were diluted in strength because they competed with other cherished values.     

Social Action and Social Work. Benjamin E. Youngdahl. New York: Association Press, 1966. 190 pp. $5.95 Hardbound

Social work field instructors are responsible for the gatekeeping function of evaluating student performance and determining practice readiness. Yet little empirical literature elucidates how field instructors of graduating BSW students judge competence, suitability, or readiness for practice. This qualitative study reports findings from 6 focus groups attended by 28 experienced BSW field instructors aimed at (a) exploring criteria used to judge student readiness for entry-level practice and (b) examining differences in expectations based on micro and macro placements. Two capacities emerged as being paramount in supporting the development of practice skills, personal attributes, and areas of practice in both micro and macro placements: conceptualization and self-reflection. Implications for evaluating student competence and supporting student learning in the field are discussed.     

Theory and Methods of Social Research. John Galtung. New York: Columbia University Press,November 1967. 534 pp. $10.00 Hardbound

Electronic media are expected to play an increasingly important role in professional education. Recent developments in videorecording technology have brought the ownership of small closed-circuit television systems well within the reach of most schools of social work, challenging them to develop ways to utilize this medium.

To promote the utilization of electronic media, two schools of social work cooperated in offering a joint seminar in videorecording. This led to the formulation of a strategy for media development that relies on student interest and effort to generate faculty and administrative acceptance and support for television in social work education.     

Social Welfare Institutions: A Sociological Reader. Edited by Mayer N. Zald. New York: John Wiley & Sons, 1965. 671 pp. $8.95 Hardbound

Interdisciplinary approaches to mental health training comprise one form of innovation occurring in educational programs involving social workers. This paper supports the continued development of this educational format for the mental health and allied professions and offers a provisional definition of interdisciplinary training in a community mental health context. A review of the current status of interdisciplinary training precedes some assertions about its presumed values, obstacles to its implementation, and potential curricular content.     

Social Environment and Behavior: A Text with Readings. Edited by Harold Greenberg,Cambridge, Schenkman, 1972. 646 Pages, $5.50 Paper, $11.25 Hardbound

This paper examines a random sample of undergraduate social work program catalogues and compares them with earlier surveys by Sherman Merle and Alfred Stamm to see what changes are taking place in the administrative and curricular relationship of social work to the social sciences. A tendency for programs to separate from social science departments, to increase social work requirements, and to teach more social science courses themselves was noted. Signs of lack of clear direction on the relationship of social work to the social sciences also were detected. The implication of these trends for the future of social work is discussed briefly.     

The Doctor and the Social Services. Huws Jones,University of London,the Athlone Press, 1971. 56 Pages. Hardbound

Values in social work are part of the instrumentality for service delivery and decision making.

As an outgrowth of modern science, a value conflict has emerged between humanitarianism (the rights and dignity of the individual) and individualism (the distortion of individual rights into an antisocial mode). Current interpretations of individualism challenge the social value of mutuality upon which the “social” in social work is based Values cannot be “proved” in a logical positivist model of truth.

One example of the inappropriate use of logical positivism can be seen in social science research. A recommitment to values in social work theory and practice is emphasized and alternative research styles, stressing values, are suggested.     

From Philanthropy to Social Welfare,Philip Klein. San Francisco,Jossey-Bass Inc., 1968. 307 Pages. $8.50 Hardbound

Interdisciplinary collaboration of health care professionals is necessary if quality health care is to be assured. Social work's concern for the social functioning of human beings should be reflected in its organization of health-care services. To achieve this end, social work education should be structured to prepare students for collaborative activities. This paper describes the process and difficulties of planned change undertaken at the Wayne State University School of Social Work with other health-related schools, in the conception, design, and implementation of an interdisciplinary course and practicum for graduate social work and nursing students.     

Social Work with Groups,Helen Northen. New York: Columbia University Press, 1969. 270 Pages. $7.50 Hardbound

In 1970 Gallaudet College initiated undergraduate social work education. The purpose was to increase professional opportunities for deaf students and to provide deaf people with the social services they do not ordinarily receive. The needs of both student and client groups are discussed, with emphasis on teaching techniques and skills required to serve the deaf population. Hearing students can acquire the necessary skills with provision made for adequate communication, and with the introduction of courses on deafness in social work programs.     

Behavioral Science for Social Workers. Edited by Edwin J. Thomas. New York: The Free Press, 1967. 492 pp. $7.95 Hardbound

Abstract

The paper reports the results of a national survey completed in 1986 which identified factors affecting recruitment and hiring decisions in graduate and undergraduate schools of social work. A total of 387 responses were received. Implications for job candidates and faculty are discussed.     

Social Welfare: Values,Means, Ends,Donald S. Howard. New York: Random House, 1969. 512 Pages. $8.50 Hardbound

Because of a general decline in applications to schools of social work in recent years, student recruitment has grown in importance. This article, based on questionnaires sent to schools and on the authors' experience, explores recruitment issues for both BSW and MSW programs and proposes a model recruitment effort.     

Economy,Society and Welfare: A Study in Social Economics. Joseph S. Berliner. New York,Praeger Publishers, 1972. 216 Pages, $13.50. Hardbound

This paper calls on schools of social work to provide more workers for practice in rural settings. It reviews the basic character of rural areas and the need for systematic intervention and program development to alter the disproportionate amount of social and economic problems existing there. The use of rural settings for student practice is reviewed, including concepts such as the community of communities, models for designing practice experiences, the role of the educator, and positive features and barriers found in providing social services.     

Principles and Practice of Urban Planning,Edited by William I. Goodman and Eric C. Freund. Washington,D. C.: International City Managers' Assoc., 1968. 621 pp. $12.50 Hardbound

This article identifies and discusses a series of interrelated pragmatic steps that can be employed by schools interested in improving their curricula by including relevant minority content. Identification of general principles, supporting rationales, and manipulable, extrinsic organizational rewards are presented as necessary building blocks for designing an Alternate Incentive Network. The function of the network is to encourage faculty involvement in developing and teaching minority content within the framework of existing or new courses.     

Social Work Administration: Principles and Practices,Harleigh B. Trecker. New York: Association Press, 1971. 287 Pages, $9.95 Hardbound

Abstract

This paper reviews graduate applications/admissions data for 1975–84, and shows that as applications have decreased, the acceptance rate has increased. Referring to the NASW Code of Ethics, the paper suggests this trend raises a number of ethical issues with which the field should be concerned. Traditional alternatives to liberalized admissions are also reviewed and their perceived efficacy is examined. It is suggested that hold-harmless strategies are insufficient to counteract the societal trends which adversely affect graduate social work education and, further, that the field must begin to proactively plan for fewer, or at least smaller, graduate programs.     

Human Sexuality and Social Work,Harvey L. Gochros,and LeRoy G. Schultz,Editors. New York: Association Press, 1972. 384 Pages, $9.95 Hardbound

Social work educators in the United States face the challenge of introducing curriculum changes that would provide future practitioners with the much-needed international-crosscultural perspective, in a world that is increasingly interdependent. The issues and opportunities concerning innovation and curriculum change in developing a graduate program with this dimension are examined critically, based on an experiment at the University of Hawaii School of Social Work. There is specific focus on the rationale for such a program, the role of faculty and students, innovations in class and field teaching, and likely future directions.     

The Neglected Aspect of Foreign Affairs,by Charles Frankel. Washington,D.C.: The Brookings Institution, 1966. 148 pp. $5.00 Hardbound

This article presents one portion of the findings from a research study of the relationship between a student's prior experience and his performance in solving social work problems commonly found in a first-year MSW program. It reports a beginning effort to find variables that appear to differentiate high-scoring students on the principal research instrument with previous work experience in social work, from low-scoring students. The findings should be of particular interest to members of admissions committees and to faculty involved in curriculum planning for advanced entering students to the master's program in social work.     

Problems and Issues in Social Casework,by Scott Briar and Henry Miller. New York,Columbia University Press, 1971. 274 Pages, $9.00. Hardbound

Abstract

The rapid growth and increasing visibility of ethnic and racial groups has vigorously challenged social work to educate students for ethnic-competent practice in cross-cultural settings. This article examines an approach to teaching effective intervention involving ethnic and racial groups and helping students integrate cultural factors and society's concerns into clinical practice. Pedagogical issues and classroom processes of teaching culturally sensitive and competent interpersonal practice are discussed. Implications are drawn for culturally sensitive education and issues are raised for critical examination.     

Behavioral Intervention of Human Problems,Henry C. Rickard,Editor. Elmsford,New York: Pergamon Press, 1971. 422 Pages, $19.50 Hardbound

Defining “political salience” as the “timeliness, frequency, and public prominence of a response to apolitical event,” the author found in a literature review of social work education and practice, 1968–1972, a predominance of social policy and program development content, usually conceptual or analytic in approach. Discussion of practice roles, values, and skills appropriate to the new political realities of thai period were minimal. Part of the reporting gap was caused by publication policy and technology. A more rapid level of information transfer is suggested to assure course and practice material that would be useful in political and organizational terms.