Publishing clearinghouse: New social work textbook; ‘Policy Sciences’ of Chicago School explored

NEW BOOKS

“Pragmatism and the Origins of the Policy Sciences: Rediscovering Lasswell and the Chicago School” (Cambridge University Press, March 2019) by William Dunn, professor of public policy, Graduate School of Public and International Affairs

The book examines the origins of the policy sciences in the School of Pragmatism at the University of Chicago in the period 1915-1938. Harold D. Lasswell, the principal creator of the policy sciences, based much of his work on the perspectives of public policy of John Dewey and other pragmatists at Chicago. The policy sciences, an academic as well as practical program that continues to thrive today, includes orientations that are normative, policy-relevant, contextual, and multi-disciplinary. These orientations originate in pragmatist principles of the unity of knowledge and action and functionalist explanations of action by reference to values. These principles are central to the future development of the policy sciences.

 

Textbook: “Skill Development for Generalist Practice: Exercises for Real-World Application” (Sage, 2020) by Christina Newhill (primary author), professor, School of Social Work, along with Elizabeth Mulvaney and Bobby Simmons, also of the School of Social Work

This textbook offers an array of competency-building exercises addressing foundational social work knowledge, skills and values across micro, mezzo and macro levels of practice. Designed to be actively used during class time, these exercises embrace the diverse range of clients encountered by social workers in various practice settings and reflect a commitment to serving those who are the most vulnerable, at risk, disadvantaged, and marginalized from society.

SEND US YOUR INFORMATION

The University Times welcomes information about new books, journals, plays and musical compositions written or edited by faculty and staff.

Newly published works can be submitted through this link. Please keep the book descriptions short and accessible to a general audience.

Journals should be peer-reviewed. Self-published works will not be accepted. The listings also are restricted to complete works, because individual chapters, articles, works of art and poems would be too numerous.

We’ll also be highlighting some books and book talks with connections to Pitt.

If you have any questions, please contact editor Susan Jones at suejones@pitt.edu or 412-648-4294.