Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice [Hardcover]

Bruce S. Jansson (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0534527701 | ISBN-13: 978-0534527709 | Publication Date: 2003 | Edition: 4

Bruce Jansson's text takes the social welfare policy course beyond just presenting welfare policy descriptions by teaching students what to do with policy and by giving them a toolbox of strategies for conducting policy-practice. This hands-on policy-practice framework helps social work students to develop specific skills they can use to actually change policy--this groundbreaking text prepares students to become effective policy practitioners.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Each revision seems to become more animated. I’m excited to see the text gain strength in the use of Internet resources. I also look forward to reviewing the instructor’s manual when it is revised as the last edition was the best instructor’s manual I have ever used."

"This book is one of the most valuable resources that policy teachers have available. It goes beyond the competing texts. The intellectual development is really impressive. The students like it because they can actually see what policy practice (often a murky concept to them) means. There are substantial improvements in the new edition. The new policy-practice sub-methods (electoral and troubleshooting) are an improvement in the text and the intellectual underpinnings of the model. This is an elegant book..."

"Jansson’s Fourth Edition of BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE POLICY ADVOCATE is a significant step forward for an already excellent book. The field of social work and the lives of clients would be much improved if every social work student and social worker were required to learn and apply what is in this book."

About the Author

Bruce S. Jansson joined the University of Southern California faculty in 1973 after working in Michigan as a community organizer and planner for tenant rights. He also has served as the Moses Distinguished Research Professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center. His diverse scholarly interests include empirical research to examine the policy making and planning processes in social agencies; the procurement of resources for social service agencies; the monitoring function of public agencies; and the history and practice of social welfare policy. Dr. Jansson is the author of another Brooks/Cole text, BECOMING AN EFFECTIVE POLICY ADVOCATE: FROM POLICY PRACTICE TO SOCIAL JUSTICE.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 464 pages
• Publisher: Brooks/Cole/Thomson Learning; 4 edition (2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0534527701
• ISBN-13: 978-0534527709
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #84,897 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)
  • #87 in Books > Politics & Social Sciences > Government     > Social Policy

More About the Author

Bruce S. Jansson interests include empirical research examining the policy making and planning processes in social agencies; the procurement of resources for social service agencies; the monitoring function of public agencies; and the history and practice of social welfare policy. He joined the University of Southern California faculty in 1973 after working in Michigan as a community organizer and planner for tenant rights. He also has served as the Moses Distinguished Research Professor at the City University of New York Graduate Center.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

16 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The BEST policy text., January 5, 2002

By 

S. M Marson (Lumberton, NC) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice (Hardcover)

I have adopted this text for my social policy course since the first edition.

The hallmark to Jansson text is that he offers the best framework for generalist practice. Other policy textbooks perceive policy-making as an enterprise dominated by great persons who direct great ideas on a macro level. Policy, in this sense, is the development and maintenance of programs like Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security. Jansson makes it clear that policy encompasses all aspects of social work intervention. For example, Jansson offers students a framework to comprehend the lack of adequate parking spaces on campus and -- what to do about it. Thus, Jansson enables the student to understand that policies operate on the micro, mezzo and macro levels.

Jansson spends most of his energy on the application of micro policy issues. This is most appropriate for two reasons. First, I estimate that 90% of social work graduates who are required to read this text will face micro policy issues on a daily basis. Unless they reflect back on what they learn from Jansson, they won't realize it. Second, for those who actually obtain policy positions, it is unlikely that they will be involved in making grand decisions in the arena of what is thought to be classic policies (e.g. Social Security). They are most likely to be making policy decisions regarding the use of the copy machine, discharging staff, hiring (including issues like affirmation action for the agency staff) etc. No other text will assist the student in these areas as much as Jansson.

There is no doubt in my mind that Jansson offers the BEST text for a social policy course. However, he has one serious limitation. His writing is terrible. He can't seem to write in an economical manner. In a discussion in an open forum, I made this observation. Other professors thanked me. Everyone in the room knew it was true, but no one wanted to say it aloud - except perhaps me.

The bottom line is, Jansson offers the best text for a social policy course. However, his writing is overly sophisticated, students must be spoon-fed this framework. Once students comprehend his essential points, they have a clear understanding of policy development and maintenance. Some of them, because of Jansson, decide to pursue a career in policy rather than clinical social work.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Essential text on social policy and change, December 30, 2004

By 

Robin Orlowski "political activist" (United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice (Hardcover)

Although I am not a social worker, Jansson's text is proving very useful for finishing my legislative analysis paper--and completing field work. A hallmark of his writing is the desire to ensure the reader knows how close (and therefore permeable) government is to our daily lives.

Jansson's book is certainly well researched, but he does not use the long resource list as a justification for ailenating his readers (and potential colleagues). He specifically wants people to become and remain interested in this information. Throughout the book, the reader learns this information IS important and is completely different from academic filler and/or abstract theory which does not neccessarily work in their post-degree workplaces.

It is formally listed for social work, but this book would also be a great text for government/political science, public administration, and even some social science (women's studies, multicultural studies...etc) classes.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good product., March 30, 2011

By 

Blushed - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Becoming an Effective Policy Advocate: From Policy Practice to Social Justice (Hardcover)

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