Teaching Social Welfare History and Social Welfare Policy From a Conflict Perspective
- 29 April 2011
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Taylor & Francis Ltd in Journal of Teaching in Social Work
- Vol. 31 (2), 131-144
- https://doi.org/10.1080/08841233.2011.562134
Abstract
In schools of social work, policy courses are frequently taught assuming debates occur along a liberal–conservative ideological continuum in which liberals favor equitable distribution of societal benefits and burdens, whereas conservatives emphasize individual political and property rights and personal responsibility. This dichotomous approach often results in conflict being situated primarily outside the classroom and profession while ignoring contentious debates that have occurred within social work. The authors argue for reconceptualizing policy courses to provide an historical conflict-based approach and include specific suggestions for course design. This approach will better train students with critical skills and prepare them for future practice.Keywords
This publication has 3 references indexed in Scilit:
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- "Uphill All the Way": Reflections on the Course and Study of Welfare History: The Social Service Review LectureSocial Service Review, 1992
- The Uses of History in Teaching Social WorkJournal of Teaching in Social Work, 1988