Publisher's Synopsis
This book develops a critical analysis of social work education. More specifically, the analysis focuses on a particular element of the discourse of social work education û 'talk' of ôtensions and dichotomies between theory and practice, university and agencyö, especially as these are said to be experienced by new graduates. Two processes are used to develop this analysis û a critical review of literature-based formulations of the experiences of new graduates and an empirical study of new graduatesÆ own accounts of their experiences and pre occupations. It is concluded that new graduates are preoccupied with the extent to which they experience opposition to their enactment of the construct of social work as developed on the course. The concepts of 'oppositional practice experiences' and 'social work oppositions' is developed to explain these experiences. Five positions or ways of conceptualizing and responding to oppositions are identified, and specific actions taken by graduates. Three alternative formulations used to explain 'tensions and dichotomies' are clarified: technical rationality, practical reflectivity and implications of the adoptions of each formulation in professional education are explored.
