From the Front Lines : Student Cases in Social Work Ethics

Using the revised NASW Code of Ethics as a framework, From the Front Lines: Student Cases in Social Work Ethics outlines the elements of ethical decision-making to provide social work and human professionals in all settings with a clear guide to ethical problem recognition, definition, and solution. Integrated and contextualized cases throughout the book encourage develop an awareness of the impact of ethical issues at all levels of social work practice.

Examples drawn from child welfare, work with families, medical social work, social justice, and others, promote thoughtful evaluation and decision-making. Rothman stresses the importance of gathering necessary information and presents three alternative, frequently-used systems of theories and principles (Gewirth's Ethical Principles Hierarchy, Loewenberg and Dolgoff's Ethical Principles Screen, and Beauchamp and Childress' Bioethics Model).

HIGHLIGHTS

• Uses the NASW Code of Ethics as a framework for each case.
• Develops a simple, easy to use process for making ethical decisions.
• Helps students develop confidence in their ability to make ethical decisions within the context of practice.
• Discusses ethical issues at all levels of practice, from individual to communities.

“The idea of illustrating the Code of Ethics with the cases and analysis of how a decision is reached is excellent. The content is very interesting and will be helpful to students.”
Professor Jean Granger, California State University, Long Beach

“I think this is an excellent text. Students often begin my class believing they understand what an ethical dilemma is when in fact they have just been exposed to the code of ethics. This book helps them analyze ethical dilemmas and think through ways to resolve them.”
Valerie Chang, Indiana University

Meet the Author

Juliet C. Rothman holds a doctorate in philosophy, specializing in professional ethics, and has practiced as a professional social worker for 25 years. She currently teaches in the School of Social Welfare at UC Berkeley in the fields of social work practice, diversity, aging, disability and ethics. She is also the author of The Self-Awareness Workbook for Social Workers, Stepping Out into the Field: A Field Work Manual for Social Work Students, and Social Work Practice Across Disability, all published by Allyn & Bacon.