| The field of social work experienced profound discursive shifts during the twentieth century. This study utilizes Michel Foucault's theorization of power/knowledge to asses struggles within these shifts. The data provided suggests a historical trend toward individuation on an epistemological level and distancing from systemic analysis. However, moments of economic and social crisis coincide with reversals of this trend. Two major themes are found in "disciplining social work." The first, professionalization, has been defined by debates over what constitutes "true" science. In this case, existing modalities of professionalization and philanthropic largess came to bear upon debates between the Settlement movement and charity organizations. The second theme, bureaucratic entrenchment, is an account of subjectivities and experiences finding resonance within the context of a technocratic welfare state. |
