Just Practice
A Social Justice Approach to Social Work
Fourth Edition
Janet L. Finn
Reviews and Awards
"I have taught introductory courses on social work practice for 30 years and continue to think of Just Practice as the finest text I have ever used. It is full, deep, and rich. The author introduces an integrative framework that joins conceptions of social justice and the core activities of everyday practice, challenging instructors and students to negotiate the irreducible ambiguities and complexities of help and care. I so appreciate the clarity of mind, the moral energy, and the pragmatic sensibility that shapes her accounts of the history of the profession and the range of concerns we have come to encompass in the field." -- William Borden, University of Chicago
"The emphasis on the Just Practice concepts provides exceptional opportunities for students to reflect on their life experiences and often find 'possibility' when it seems improbable." -- Paula M. Sheridan, Whittier College
"Just Practice pushes beyond the mainstream (white) conceptualization of social work in the US and abroad and works to expand practicing definitions of social justice into new frameworks and models that disavow the medical model and patronizing practices. It doesn't just present content and knowledge but encourages the reader to critically think about the implications for their own personal and professional development by using a series of reflections, activities and the posing of excellent questions. I can honestly say for the first time in years I am actually excited about a textbook not just because it speaks to me and us about the way we define social justice work but also because I learned more than a few things in reading this that has already strengthened my perspective." -- Donna McIntosh, Sienna College
"Finn's text is an exceptional choice for advanced BSW and foundation MSW students. The book's format grounds the student in the meaning of social work history and its social justice mission. Throughout the text, Finn invites readers to engage in a process of personal and professional exploration that potentially fuels the students' desire to return to the roots of social work to inform their practice. Students won't just read this textbook — they will experience it." -- Ann Trettin, University of Chicago