The Social Work of Museums

by Silverman; Lois H.

• ISBN13: 9780415775212
• ISBN10: 0415775213
• Edition: 1st
• Format: Nonspecific Binding
• Copyright: 2010-01-21
• Publisher: Routledge

Summary

Museums may not seem at first glance to be engaged in social work. Here, however, Lois H. Silverman brings together relevant visitor studies, trends in international practice, and compelling examples that demonstrate how museums everywhere are using their unique resources to benefit human relationships.

Author Biography

Lois H. Silverman is a scholar, project innovator, frequent speaker, and consultant to social agencies and to museums around the world. She holds a PhD from the Annenberg School for Communication, University of Pennsylvania, and an MSW from Indiana University School of Social Work. A three-time recipient of Indiana University's Teaching Excellence Award, her publications include The Therapeutic Potential of Museums (1998) and Transforming Practice (2000).

Table of Contents

List of illustrations	p. ix
Preface	p. xi
In the service of society	p. 1
Scenes of change	p. 2
Only yesterday? A brief history of museums as social service	p. 5
Explaining tomorrow: theories about museums, visitors, and society	p. 14
Social work perspectives	p. 23
Relationships of change	p. 23
Social work begins: development of the relationship profession	p. 27
Social work views: insight for museums	p. 30
Taking stock: toward an integrative survey	p. 39
From body to soul	p. 41
Understanding the self	p. 41
Health	p. 43
Competence	p. 48
Identity	p. 54
Transcendence	p. 60
Solve et coagula	p. 67
Understanding the close pair	p. 67
Companionship	p. 69
Intimacy	p. 73
Interdependence	p. 78
Separation	p. 84
Treasures of home	p. 89
Understanding the family	p. 89
Home	p. 91
Cohesion	p. 96
Continuity	p. 101
Flexibility	p. 107
Birds in Eight	p. 113
Understanding the group	p. 114
Purpose	p. 115
Cohesiveness	p. 120
Empowerment	p. 124
Linkage	p. 132
Toward the next age	p. 139
Elements of change	p. 140
Care for the future	p. 147
Visions of change	p. 154
Bibliography	p. 156
Index	p. 180
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