A Poetics of Social Work : Personal Agency and Social Transformation in Canada, 1920-1939

Moffatt, Ken (author., Author, Author).

Summary: In A Poetics of Social Work, Ken Moffatt considers the epistemological influences in the field of Canadian social work and social welfare from 1920 to 1939. Here, modernist constructs of knowledge are explored through the analysis of the thought of leading social welfare practitioners, namely Dorothy Livesay, Carl Dawson, Charlotte Whitton, and E.J. Urwick. These four figures represent a wide cross-section of Anglo-Canadian social thought at two of Canada's most influential universities (McGill and Toronto), and Moffatt's study of their thinking reveals the presence of a diversity of approaches to social work and social change during this period.By challenging the notion that human values and humanitarian concerns were abandoned in favour of science, empirical findings, and technical interpretation of authoritative knowledge, the author attempts to expand the concept of the social work knowledge base and explores how social work emerged as a profession in Canada. Moffatt's study presents a broad context for analysis, and provides fascinating reading and source material for those interested in history, philosophy, literature, and biography, as well as social work and the social sciences.

Record details

ISBN: 9781442670402
Physical Description: 1 online resource (156 p.)
remote
Computer data.
Publisher: Toronto : University of Toronto Press, [2016]
Copyright: ©2001

Content descriptions

General Note:	CatMonthString:january.23 Multi-User.
Formatted Contents Note:	Frontmatter -- Contents -- ACKNOWLEDGMENTS -- Introduction -- 1. The Contested Concepts of Social Service and Social Change -- 2. Social Work Practice Informed by Philosophy: The Social Thought of Edward Johns Urwick -- 3. Dorothy Livesay's Politics of Engagement -- 4. Social Science in a Secular Society: The Thought of Carl Addington Dawson -- 5. A Scientific and Philanthropic Christian Community: The Philosophy of Charlotte Whitton -- Conclusion -- NOTES -- BIBLIOGRAPHY -- INDEX
Restrictions on Access Note:	restricted access http://purl.org/coar/access_right/c_16ec online access with authorization
Type of Computer File or Data Note:	Text (HTML), electronic book.
Additional Physical Form available Note:	Issued also in print.
System Details Note:	Mode of access: Internet via World Wide Web. Mode of access: Internet.
Terms Governing Use and Reproduction Note:	Access requires VIU IP addresses and is restricted to VIU students, faculty and staff. Access restricted through purchase.
Language Note:	In English.
Issuing Body Note:	Made available online by publisher.
Source of Description Note:	Description based on online resource; title from PDF title page (publisher's Web site, viewed 30. Aug 2021)