1 Northeastern Illinois University
Social Work Program
SWK 200: Introduction to Social Work
Critical Review of Social Work History
Background – Throughout this course you will be introduced to the exciting, challenging, and vital role that social work plays in our society. We want you to learn about its history, explore dimensions of the profession that are of interest to you, and learn about the real-life work and competencies of professional social workers. To that end, there are three major written assignments in this course: 1) a Critical Review of Social Work History, 2) an Annotated Bibliography & Social Issue Topic for the Investigation Report, and 3) the Investigation Report. Each assignment builds on the next to help you develop a well-rounded introduction to the history, roles, and expertise of the social work profession.
Purpose – The purpose of this assignment is to explore the history of social work in the United States and to critically examine how this history may shape your future experiences in the profession.
Overview – Chapter 1 of your textbook introduces you to the field of social work. Chapter 2 outlines the history of social work and social welfare and highlights its key leaders, historical movements, and professional evolution. In the article you read for week 3, “Social Work and Social Reform: An Arena of Struggle”, Abramovitz argues that social work’s prochange mandate has mostly forgotten its long history of activism during three key periods of American history: 1) the Progressive Era, 2) the post Great Depression 1930s, and 3) the 1960s. Thus, Abramowitz argues that social workers today continue to struggle to balance their focus equally on both individual and structural change. To access this article, go to the Week 3 DO folder on our course D2L site.
Instructions – For this assignment you are to write a brief summary and review of social work history in light of Abramovitz’s argument and your emerging understanding of the key concepts in the profession. You will also reflect on your own future in the field and how the history of struggle in social work might shape your career ahead. There are three sections required for this essay; each should be one double-spaced page in length . use the questions provided in each section to guide your thinking for this section. Note: You do NOT have to answer all these questions, they are simply a guide to get you thinking and writing. Please label each section with the appropriate sub-heading in bold below .
1) Article Summary (1 page) – Provide a brief overview of the Abramovitz’s key
argument. According to the author, what are the “mandates” of the social work profession that honor individual and community welfare? What was similar/different about the social work orientations of the Charity Organization Society (COS) versus the Settlement House Movement (SHM) during the Progressive Era? What were the fundamental tensions between social workers of different professional orientations following the Great 2 Depression? What was unique about social work and social reform that emerged in the 1960s and 1970s? How does Abramovitz argue why the social work profession is often accused as being a “handmaiden of the status quo”?
2) Critical Review – Take a stand on the argument made by Abramovitz. Do you agree or disagree with her? Does the history of social work suggest that we have forgotten our activist roots as a profession? Why or why not? Support your argument by choosing and defining two of the following terms from Chapter 1, and explain how these terms are reflected in the history of social work: a) empowerment, 2) social worker values and ethics, 3) strengths-based practice, 4) people first language 5) person-in environment 6), change agent, 6) general systems theory, 7) diversity perspective, 8) ecological systems framework. What historical moments best reflect the two terms you chose in supporting your argument?
3) My Future in Social Work – Lastly, you are in an exciting moment in life, thinking
about your possible major and future career. In light of your critical review, how does
this assignment help you think about your own future in the profession ? What kind of social work interests you? What issues would you like to see social work help change? Why are these issues important to you? How does knowing and critiquing this history shape your understanding of the strengths, challenges, and priorities of social work? What role will you play in the profession? How is this history relevant to your own goals and to the larger goals of social work today?
Additional Details: This assignment is worth 75 points. Please review the rubric on D2L before beginning this assignment. In total, this assignment should be 3 pages in length, typed, double- spaced, with 12 point, Times New Roman font, and 1-inch margins. Please note that you are expected to have a reference page and correctly use APA in-text citations for the two sources used in this assignment: 1) your textbook and 2) the Abramovitz article. You will be assessed on your accurate use of APA citation. consult the Publication Manual of the American
Psychological Association, for guidance. Note: you do NOT need an abstract for this
assignment.
