Assignment:
Book Review and Discussion Questions
Stevenson, B. (2015). Just Mercy: A story of justice and redemption. NY, NY: Spiegel and Grau Publishers.
(1) a 2 page review of the book; and (2) a minimum of two discussion questions that will be used during class
1. Review of the Book
Overall, you have some flexibility in the organization of the book review, but it should include:
- A very short (i.e., no more than 1 paragraph) overview of the content of the book.
- A brief critique of the author's approach to the topic. This section should include a discussion on the particular part(s) of the book you believe to be very strong and why, as well as the part(s) you found somewhat problematic and why. Be sure to incorporate social work-related issues we've discussed in class and/or have covered in the readings.
- A brief discussion of some of the implications related to mental health and social work practice that you see arising from the book. If the author raises his/her own recommendations, you can analyze those, but you should also bring something new to the discussion.
- A brief discussion of where you see (or do not see) interdisciplinary collaboration between systems or people (e.g., law enforcement intersecting with immigration or social service agencies).
- A brief discussion of how micro social work and macro social work intersect with each other.
- A brief reflection on one "aha" moment you have experienced while reading this book. Also, how do you see yourself integrating material from this book in the work you will do?
The book review should 2 pages and single-spaced, using 12 point Times New Roman font.
2. Discussion Questions
Two or more discussion questions that you will use during the in-class"book club" should be submitted. In particular, you are strongly encouraged to reflect on and develop questions related to core social work values, as well as micro and macro social work integration in the book you read.
Discussion questions can be included on the third page of your book review document. Similarly, they should be single- spaced with 12 point Times New Roman font.