A New Course Model for Content on Women's Issues in Social Work Education

This paper describes both the process of developing a new course on women and the content of such a course. Four issues that arose in introducing the course are critically examined: separation versus integration of course content; sexism versus racism; intellectual versus experiential learning; and women only versus coeducational enrollment. Throughout the paper, comparisons are made between basic tenets of social work practice and the women's movement. The paper concludes by speculating on the relationship between social work education and social movements in general.     

The Implementation of Mental Health Evidence Based Practices from the Educator,Clinician and Researcher Perspective

Within the different arenas of social work practice, community based mental health is among the most advanced in terms of defining a set of evidence based practices (EBPs). Social workers play a major role in the delivery of community based mental health and are at the forefront of efforts to implement these practices through state and federal initiatives. One such initiative is The New York Office of Mental Health Evidence Based Project, which is designed to increase the knowledge and skills related to evidence-based practice among New York’s mental health human services workforce. The project had a social work component, which trained students in implementing EBP’s through specially designed curricula and field placements. The students participating in the project encountered numerous challenges in the field including lack of agency “buy-in” and infrastructure support; inadequate training and resources; poor supervision; and provider resistance. From the multilevel perspectives of educator, clinician and researcher, this paper addresses these challenges and makes recommendations to facilitate the implementation of EBPs.     

Work-Life Balance: A Case of Technical Disempowerment?

Work–life balance (WLB) is an emblematic strategy to achievewell-being for Third Way governments around the world and anexercise in nurturing self-actualizing and entrepreneurial citizens.By reading a case study of New Zealand's Labour WLB projectthrough a poststructuralist perspective, I demonstrate thatThird Way WLB policy projects are technical exercises in ethicalization.These practices serve to de-contextualize and de-politicizethe terrain of well-being. This analysis highlights a contradictionin Third Way agendas to address the well-being of the needybecause they disempower those they seek to empower.     

Housing strategies in an uncertain market

The slump in house prices in the early 1990s created a degree of uncertainty in the housing market which contrasts markedly with the optimism of the 1980s. In particular, the market downturn made it sharply apparent that there could be losers as well as winners in the unstable housing market. This study looks at a sample of owner occupiers drawn from Glasgow and Bristol in 1995. While still endorsing home ownership as the major housing option and as potentially enabling in housing and neighbourhood terms, a note of caution is recognisable. Aspirations to climb the housing ‘ladder’ are tempered by fear of overextending financially and by the broader uncertainties that people perceive to be endemic in the labour market and the housing market. Strategies reflect both diverse personal histories and the adoption of defensive or risk reduction options. For many respondents maintaining current housing standards is more important than market advancement.     

Pricing of Digital Resources

Abstract

In this interview, Simon Tanner, senior consultant with Higher Education Digitization Services at the University of Hertfordshire in the United Kingdom, discusses the economics and market issues related to pricing of digital resources. Serials Review 2003; 29:121–126.     

Second‐Generation Poverty Reduction Strategies: New Opportunities and Emerging Issues

The poverty reduction strategy paper (PRSP) approach has taken centre stage in development asssistance over the past five years. International endorsement of the approach has led to important gains in government focus on poverty reduction, civil society participation and donor behaviour. Yet PRSPs also potentially offer a much greater contribution to aid effectiveness, good governance and poverty reduction in developing countries. With a second generation of PRSPs now set to appear, this article examines the technical and political challenges that need addressing to realise their potential over time. Emerging issues include how to respond to political transitions, alternative design approaches, how to assess financing needs, and ways of enhancing the predictability of aid.