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ABSTRACT
Knowledge of the history of the social work profession and of the historical forces that shape the development of social welfare is critical to developing competence in social work. Study of history helps students develop a critical perspective on current controversies within social welfare and the social work profession. The study of local history allows social work students to consider the economic, political, social, and cultural origins of the problems that have shaped and often constrained the lives of people they serve. Using examples from the history of Detroit, Michigan, this paper shows how local history can animate social welfare history, provide students with important context about the practice environment, including relationships between diverse populations, and give specific, meaningful examples of historical trends presented in social welfare history and policy textbooks.
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Joy Swanson Ernst
Joy Swanson Ernst is Associate Professor at the Wayne State University School of Social Work, where she served as Associate Dean for Academic Affairs from 2016 to 2019. Prior to joining the Wayne State faculty in 2016, she was Professor of Social Work and director of the social work program at Hood College in Frederick, Maryland. She received her PhD in 1999 from the University of Maryland School of Social Work. She has taught courses in social welfare policy and history, gerontological social work, diversity, and human rights and social justice, where she highlights the importance of a historical perspective.