Foundations of Social Policy: Social Justice in Human Perspective (with InfoTrac)
Books / Hardcover
Books › Social Science › Social Work
ISBN: 0534567207 / Publisher: Brooks Cole, July 2005
Writing for students of social work, Barusch (U. of Utah) presents a textbook that emphasizes the importance of social justice in its exploration of social policy. After briefly considering the theoretical and philosophical perspectives on social justice, she presents chapters that explore the ways that collective action has approached social security, poverty, physical illness, mental illness, and disability in the United States. She then turns to the concepts of discrimination and oppression, offering separate chapters on people of color; gay, lesbian, and transgendered individuals; children; and the elderly in the United States. Finally, she presents a discussion of the future of social work in an international context. Annotation ©2005 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)
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Reflecting an emerging consensus that social justice is a primary mission of the social work profession, this social policy text explicitly addresses the broad issues and human dilemmas inherent in the pursuit of social justice. Organized in four parts, the book introduces several philosophical perspectives on what constitutes social justice, and identifies the values and assumptions reflected in contemporary policy debates. Part I provides a framework for policy analysis and policy practice, as well as foundation content related to the structure and role of government in the United States. The second part offers a theoretical framework for determining when a personal disadvantage is considered a social problem. It then focuses on social problems that constitute widely shared risks, including poverty, physical illness, mental illness and disability. Part III introduces theories of oppression and explores the challenges faced by populations that have faced discrimination and oppression, including people of color, gays and lesbians, children, women, and the elderly. The final part offers a "Glance to The Future," examining emerging policy issues such as U.S. labor policy and inequality, incarceration as a means of social control, globalization, and international governance.
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