Public Discourse

Identify the main points of each reading using ten bulletin points for each article b) assumptions the author/s make in addressing the topic; c) evidence the author/s use to support their conclusions; d) why the content is significant for social policy and social work; e) thoughts you have about the topic or the author/s approach to it.Explain the role language & values play in influencing perceptions of social issues;

• Distinguish whether viewpoints locate the cause of problems in individuals or in the environment;
• Critically assess why and how urbanization, industrialization and immigration contributed to the development of social welfare policy;
• Evaluate whether and how Flexner’s statement on social work & the two crises in social work described by Ehrenreich helped shape the current profession;
• Compare and contrast the approaches of the Charity Organization Societies with that of Settlement Houses;
• Be able to explain and evaluate the concept of American Exceptionalism and its influence on social policy

Listed are the articles that need to be used for this assigment:

Flexner, A. (1915). Is social work a profession? 

• Ehrenreich, J. (1985). The Crisis in Social Work, 1929-1945. Chapter 4 in The Altruistic Imagination: A History of Social Work and Social Policy in the United States.
• Ehrenreich, J. (1985). A House Divided: The Second Crisis in Social Work, 1960-1980. Chapter 7 in The Altruistic Imagination: A History of Social Work and Social Policy in the United States.
• Ryan, W. (1976). The Art of Savage Discovery: How to Blame the Victim. Blaming the victim. Pantheon Books, 3-29.
• Lakoff, G. (2014). Framing 101: how to take back public discourse. In G. Lakoff, Don’t think of an elephant: know your values and frame the debate, (p. 3-34). White River Jct., VT: Chelsea Green.