Just Practice: A Social Justice Approach to Social Work

by Janet L. Finn

Just Practice provides a foundation for critical and creative social work that focuses on the profession's historical commitment to social justice. The book integrates theory, skills, ethics, and rights and responds to the complex terrain of 21st century social work. Just Practice moves beyond
the traditional foundations curriculum, however, to engage in an exploration of the complexities and the potential of social work. It is in part a reclamation project, recovering the histories, stories, and sense of urgency and possibility that has sparked the imagination and fueled the commitment
of those engaged in social justice-oriented work through the decades.

The book facilitates participatory learning in the classroom by engaging students in question posing, self-reflection, and critical inquiry into the history, knowledge, values and skills of social work. Finn challenges students to recognize and address forms and mechanisms of oppression and
privilege that shape both their work and the world around them. Each chapter includes learning activities, reflection moments, practice examples, and the stories and voices of practitioners and service users to engage students as critical thinkers and practitioners. The author encourages teachers
and students alike to take risks, move from safe, familiar pedagogical spaces and practices, challenge assumptions, and embrace uncertainty.

Genres: Social Work, Academic, Nonfiction

480 pages, Paperback

First published October 30, 2003

Reviews

[Jinglei Mao · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book mentions concepts like social justice, human rights, anti-oppressive, empowerment, which to me feel very similar and rather abstract. On the one hand, yes, they are correct and just, and the book covers everything thoroughly—but if social workers were really expected to achieve every one of these ideals, they would have to be superhuman, almost saint-like. At the end, it even claims that love is the foundation of justice work—hey… it’s not about love. I don’t even need to love someone to believe they have the right to live with dignity. I forced myself to read through it, but there are just too many terms, many overlapping in meaning, so why do we need so many polished phrases? Take “empowerment,” for example: it calls for granting power—but what kind of power? Why is it lost? How is it taken away? By whom? Honestly, I doubt whether social work as a profession can ever truly be just.

[Glenna McCarthy · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this book is a great example of what needs to be addressed by society

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Much better-than-average textbook utilizing critical theory analysis. Five stars if some of the diagrams made more sense to me.

[Linda Johnson · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best textbooks I've ever read. Truly thought provoking. Very thankful for the history lessons included in it as well.

[Deepti · Rating 4 out of 5]

Counting my textbook bc I read the whole thing and it’s not looking like I’ll hit 30 books read by the end of the month…….

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent textbook

[Miranda · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was assigned this book as part of my Master of Social Work coursework ("Promoting Social Justice with Diverse Populations"). I feel like this book could have been 1/4 of the size and consisted entirely of bullet points. Very boring read. Even though this book/edition was published in 2020, it already lacked relevancy by 2024.