Social Work

Cynthia Bisman is professor emeritus of social work at Bryn Mawr College and the author of Integrating Research Into Practice: A Model for Effective Social Work and Social Work Practice: Cases and Principles, and coeditor of the forthcoming book Gender Justice and Development: Local and Global. She has been codirector for the Bryn Mawr College Center on International Studies and associate editor (North America) for the journal Ethics and Social Welfare, and she provides a range of editorial functions for journals in the United States and the United Kingdom. Bisman draws from her extensive practice background in the development of case material for teaching and learning and presents and publishes widely.

This book provides a fresh approach to understanding social work as a value-guided profession in today's globalized world. The book contains numerous case studies of real-life examples that help readers better understand ethical practice with individuals in a globally interconnected society. I highly recommend this book not only for social work students but also for all academics and practitioners across the world who consider that 'global consciousness,' as suggested by the author, is a key concept to practicing ethical social work in the twenty-first century -- Elena Papouli, Technological Educational Institute of Athens Bisman provides a truly twenty-first-century approach to social work practice by integrating ethical reasoning and the concept of global consciousness in the discussion of assessment, relationship, communication, and intervention. Students at all levels will appreciate her blending of theory and ethical principles with reflections and insights from practitioners. -- Lynne M. Healy, University of Connecticut School of Social Work This book moves the field forward, and it was written by someone who combines intellectual acuity with personal empathy. The concept of 'global consciousness' is new, and once you hear it, you will never think of the 'conscious use of self' in the same way again. -- Kathleen J. Pottick, Rutgers University School of Social Work Unique in its breadth and depth, this book advocates a global perspective on social work, skilfully illustrated and developed through real-life accounts of complex and challenging practice. The book will be an invaluable resource for social work students, faculty, and practitioners interested in ethical practice in a rapidly changing world. -- Sarah Banks, Durham University

• Acknowledgments 1. Value-Guided Practice in a Global Society: An Introduction 2. Organizing the Ideas of Social Work 3. Ethical Practice Toward Social Justice and Human Well-Being: Local and Global 4. Evidence for Knowledge-Guided Assessments 5. Respect and Dignity in Relationships 6. Interaction and Meaning in Communication 7. Critical Consciousness for Differential Use of Self 8. Evidence and Best Practices for Strategic Interventions References Index