Reminiscences of Harriett M. Bartlett: Oral History, 1979: Backgrounds on Bartlett’s Work, The Common Base of Social Work Practice

Abstract

This paper presents the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) oral history interview with Bartlett as commentary and materials. The purpose of this study is to examine the background and theory behind her 1970 book, The Common Base of Social Work Practice, from this interview. The study’s findings are noted as follows. First, Her book was influenced by Bill Gordon. Second, her 1961 book, Analyzing Social Work Practice by Fields was directly relevant. Third, we learned her intentions regarding the terminology of “Assessment”. From these, by her own explanation, the background of her 1970 book became clear. Fothermore, this interview allowed us to reconsider the unitary progress of social work in the early stages.