Carel Bailey Germain Papers, 1922-1998
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Sophia Smith Collection Smith CollegeNorthampton, MA
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collection
Carel B. Germain Papers
Creation of Carel B. Germain Papers
Time of Creation of Carel B. Germain Papers
Germain, Carel B.
Biographical History for: Carel B. Germain Papers
Biographical Note Carel and Bill Germain "in the kitchen-- where else?...our home on Beacon St., Boston," 1969 Carel Bailey was born in San Francisco on 23 October 1916 to Thomas J. and Lera Bailey. She graduated from the University of California, Berkeley in 1937 with a degree in economics, and lived and worked in the Bay Area until moving east in 1958. She married William Germain in 1941, and after raising twin daughters earned her MSW (1961) and DSW (1971) at the Columbia University School of Social Work. Upon completion of her MSW degree, Germain embarked on a distinguished career as a professor and prolific author in the field of social work. She taught at the University of Maryland for several years and, after finishing her doctorate, was appointed with tenure, first to Columbia University and then to the University of Connecticut, where she taught until her retirement in 1987. Germain offered graduate level courses that focused on the ecological approach to social work theory and practice. Although she was also versed in the history of social work, she only once offered a course on the subject (in the Spring 1973 semester at Columbia). Germain wrote seven books, the most important of which were The Life Model of Social Work Practice, 1980 (co-authored with Alex Gitterman) and Human Behavior in the Social Environment: An Ecological View, 1991. She also published widely in professional journals and was in great demand as a speaker, guest lecturer, reviewer and author of chapters and introductions for social work anthologies and for books by colleagues. She died in Avon, Connecticut on 3 August 1995. Germain is perhaps best known for her pioneering work in the "ecological" or "life model" approach to social work practice. She first developed the concept of an "ecological perspective" while teaching at Columbia in the mid-seventies, and later elaborated upon it in collaboration with a colleague, Alex Gitterman. Social work theory and practice had traditionally been based on a Freudian psychotherapeutic model in which diagnosis and treatment focused primarily on the psychology of the individual client and the dynamics of the immediate family. Although clinical social workers had long been aware that people exist in a more extensive social and psychological matrix, the profession lacked a conceptual framework that linked broader environmental and cultural influences to difficulties faced by individual clients. Using metaphors borrowed from the biological definition of ecology ("the relation between living organisms and their environment"), Germain laid the foundation for the needed structure. As she and Gitterman wrote in the 19th Encyclopedia of Social Work, "The ecological perspective makes clear the need to view people and environments as a unitary system within a particular cultural and historical context. Both person and environment can be fully understood only in terms of their relationship, in which each continually influences the other within a particular context. Hence, all concepts derived from the ecological metaphor refer not to environment alone or person alone; rather, each concept expresses a particular person: environment relationship, whether it is positive, negative or neutral." (Germain and Gitterman, 1995) Over time, Germain and Gitterman found that, in addition to its applicability to work with individuals and families, the ecological perspective was also relevant to larger groups, organizations, communities, and to political advocacy in general. They elaborated on this expanded concept in The Life Model of Social Work Practice: Advances in Theory and Practice, 1996.
Scope and Contents of the Collection The Carel Bailey Germain Papers include biographical information; personal and professional correspondence; materials pertaining to Germain's graduate education and her subsequent professional work; research files for specific course offerings and writings; and typed manuscripts of some of her writings. Note: Some research and subject materials that were originally filed in a single folder were divided into two or more folders for preservation purposes and for ease of handling. In addition, since Germain used teaching materials, research materials and general subject files for books and journal articles coterminously, there is some overlap in the contents of these files; therefore, the purposes of some researchers may require consulting Series III, V, and VI.
Developmental psychology--Research--Sources
lcsh
Environmental psychology--Research--Sources
Family social work--United States--History--Sources
Human ecology--Research--Sources
Social work education--United States--History--Sources
Social workers--United States--History--Sources
World War, 1939-1945--Personal narratives, American
lcnaf
Dubos, Rene J., (Rene Jules), 1901-
Gitterman, Alex, 1938- --Correspondence
Hartman, Ann--Correspondence
Reynolds, Bertha Capen, 1885-
series
SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL (1922-95)
This series includes biographical information, obituaries and tributes, memorabilia, memoirs, and photographs. In part, this series documents Germain's girlhood involvement with the Camp Fire Girls in California, a formative experience that instilled a deep love of the natural world and, according to Germain, later contributed to the development of her ecological model of social work theory.
SERIES II. EDUCATION (1932-94)
This series is arranged chronologically. Although there are some items that relate to Germain's early education or that were incidental to her educational status later in life, the bulk of the series is comprised of notes and other materials generated by doctoral level courses at the Columbia University School of Social Work. Germain cited Lucille Austin, Bernard Barber and Irving Miller as having profoundly influenced her thinking, which might explain why she chose to save materials from their courses.
SERIES III. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES (1964-95)
This series is arranged by type of activity. It includes papers relating to such activities as committee and board work, thesis and dissertation advising, participation in conferences and seminars, and membership in professional associations. The series also includes some teaching materials.
SERIES IV. CORRESPONDENCE (1943-95)
Professional correspondence spans Germain's entire career and illustrates both the breadth of her professional interests and the level of respect she earned in the field of social work; it is approximately half incoming and half outgoing. Most of the personal correspondence dates from the mid-1980s, with the exception of a set of letters from William Germain to Carel, written during his tour of duty in World War II. The personal correspondence consists mostly of incoming letters, but some do include Germain's replies.
SERIES V. WRITINGS (1979-96)
This series consists of correspondence, research materials, notes relating to specific writings, and drafts of some writings. It also includes Germain's commentaries on and reviews of writings by peers, articles she wrote for social work publications, as well as forewords, introductions and chapters for books by colleagues. "Research materials--unidentified" (located in Boxes 13 and 14) is a sub-series of "Published works" and pertains to both The Life Model of Social Work Practice: Advances in Theory and Practice, 1996 and to a revised edition of Human Behavior in the Social Environment: An Ecological Approach 1991; the files indicate an overlap, and Germain apparently used them to work on both books simultaneously. Research materials relating to the writing of Germain's books are of interest in that they reveal the steps involved in producing a manuscript and seeing it through to publication. Similarly, extensive correspondence with co-author Alex Gitterman (filed in this series under The Life Model of Social Work Practice, 1980 and The Life Model of Social Work Practice: Advances in Theory and Practice, 1996) offers insight into the collaborative writing process. Series V also contains 1.4 linear feet of data relating to unpublished works, including Germain's dissertation, "Casework and Science: A Study in the Sociology of Knowledge".
SERIES VI. SUBJECTS
This series contains subject files and is arranged alphabetically. It includes almost half the collection and is comprised of extensive files on a wide range of topics relevant to the teaching and practice of social work, including a substantial section on the history of the profession. There is also .5 linear foot of segments of published proceedings of The National Conference of Social Work and the National Conference on Social Welfare (apparently synonymous), which span but do not include all the years 1926-61. Files in this series are mostly undated, but it seems that Germain collected the material throughout her career. Although Germain read the New York Times and regularly clipped articles that related to her work, space limitations and the ready availability of this source dictated that most of the newsclippings in the subject files could not be retained. (Exceptions include New York Times Magazine articles, subject files comprised primarily of newsclippings, and clippings specifically about social work theory and practice.)
SERIES I. BIOGRAPHICAL
Biographical articles, 1971-93, n.d.
Curricula vitae, 1988-95, n.d.
Condolences, obituaries, gifts in memoriam, 1995
Donation of papers to Sophia Smith Collection, 1984-95, n.d.
Campfire Girls, Camp Deep Woods, 1922-60, n.d.
Memoirs, 1991-92, n.d.
Travel diary, Ireland, n.d.
Honors, awards, retirement, 1969-95, n.d.
Humorous, anecdotal material, n.d.
General family, 1969, 1977, n.d.
Photographs, 1930-94, n.d.
Scrapbook, n.d.
Photo album, Camp Wasibo, 1928-44, n.d.
SERIES II. EDUCATION
[See also Series V. "Writings--Unpublished works" for material relating to Germain's dissertation.]
Miscellaneous
High school graduation, 1932
Transcripts, 1961, 1967, 1971
Correspondence, 1994
Doctoral courses
[See also Series V, Writings--Unpublished works]
Course notes, "Social Casework" with Lucille Austin, 1966
Course notes, "History and Philosophy of Social Welfare" with Irving Miller, 1966
Course notes, "Sociology of Knowledge" with Bernard Barber, 1967
Course notes, unidentified
Academic degrees
Certificates
[See also Oversize Materials]
SERIES III. PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
Conferences and seminars, 1964-85
Committee and board work 1984-86
Dissertation and thesis advising, 1975, 1981, 1989, 1992, 1995, n.d.
Teaching materials
Syllabi, bibliographies, references, 1972, 1982, n.d.
Lecture notes, 1973, 1975, 1977, n.d.
Notes, 1972-73, 1987, n.d.
Examples, 1973-90, n.d.
"History of Social Work"
Writings by peers, 1972, 1987, n.d.
Writings by students, 1969, 1973, 1977, 1984, n.d.
Professional associations
Council on Social Work Education, 1979-86
National Association of Social Workers, 1979-87
SERIES IV. CORRESPONDENCE
Personal
Family
General, 1982-93
William Germain, World War II letters (copies, excerpted and typed by Carel Germain), 1943-45
Friends
General, A-Z, 1984-95
Bloom, Martin and Lynn, 1989-95
Hartman, Ann, 1993-95
Laird, Joan, 1988-95, n.d.
Lee, Judith, 1980-1995, n.d.
Middleman, Ruth, 1993-95
Ng, Agnes, 1990-94
Patterson, Shirley, 1985-95, n.d.
Zschocke, Thomas, 1993, 1994, n.d.
Unidentified, 1944, 1985, 1993, n.d.
Professional
Employment, 1969-86, n.d.
Canadian, 1981-90, n.d.
Invitations to participate, A-P, 1973-88
Invitations to participate, R-W, 1973-88
General, A-W, 1961, 1973-94
Letters of reference, A-B, 1982-92
Letters of reference, H-W, 1982-92
Students, 1973, 1977, 1992
SERIES V. WRITINGS
Published works
Books
Social Work Practice: People and Environments, 1979
Correspondence and pre-publication reviews, 1975-80, n.d.
Reviews
The Life Model of Social Work Practice, 1980 (co-authored with Alex Gitterman)
Correspondence, 1975-87
Pre-publication reviews, n.d.
Incomplete manuscript and contract for German edition, 1981
Social Work Practice in Health Care, 1984
Correspondence, 1983-84
Advances in Clinical Social Work Practice, 1985
Human Behavior in the Social Environment: An Ecological View, 1991
Correspondence, 1981-95
Permissions, 1988-89
Outline, pre-publication reviews, promotional brochure, n.d.
Research materials, Chapter 1, n.d.
Research materials, Chapters 2 and 3, n.d.
Research materials, Chapters 4 and 5, n.d.
Research materials, family chapters, general, n.d.
Research materials, Instructor's Guide, n.d.
Computer disks and related correspondence, 1995
Anthology of Ecological Social Work, 1992
Contract, 31 Aug 1991
Correspondence with Alex Gitterman Dec 1987-Nov 1992
Correspondence with Alex Gitterman Jan-Dec, 1993
Correspondence with Alex Gitterman Jan-Dec 1994
Correspondence with Alex Gitterman Jan-Jun, 1995, n.d.
Correspondence with publisher 1984-95
Prospectus, n.d.
Research materials, n.d.
Typed manuscript, 1995
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Instructor's Manual, Version 1
Instructor's Manual, Version 2
5.25" computer disks, 1994, n.d.
Research materials--unidentified
Probably for either Human Behavior in the Social Environment: An Ecological View, 1991 or The Life Model of Social Work Practice: Advances in Theory and Practice,1996
Articles
"Social Study, Past and Future", 1968
"An Ecological Perspective in Casework Practice", 1973
"A Theoretical View of the Life Model: Eco-Systems Perspective", 1975
"Social Work Practice: A Life Model", 1976
"Time: An Ecological Variable in Social Work Practice", 1976
"General Systems Theory and Ego Psychology: An Ecological Perspective",1978
"Space: An Ecological Variable in Social Work Practice", 1978
"People and Ideas in the History of Social Work Practice" (co-authored with Ann Hartman), 1980
"Social Work Identity, Competence, and Autonomy: The Ecological Perspective", 1980
"The Ecological Approach to People--Environment Transactions", 1981
"Teaching Primary Prevention in Social Work: An Ecological Perspective", 1982
Untitled: debate in Practice Digest, 1982
"Time, Change, and Social Work",1983
"Human Development in Contemporary Environments", 1987
"Effectiveness of Natural Rural Helpers", 1988
"Emerging Conceptions of Family Development Over the Life Course", 1990
"An Instructor's Story About Students' Life Stories", 1991
"Patterns of Natural Helping in Rural Areas: Implications for Social Work Research" (co- authored with S. Patterson, J. Memmott and E. Brennan), 1992
"Emerging Conceptions of Family Development Over the Life Course", 1994
Untitled: invited article in Issues in Social Work Education, n.d.
Research materials for "People and Ideas in the History of Social Work Practice" (co-authored with Ann Hartman), Social Casework 61 (6): 323-331, 1980
Commentaries and reviews
Forewords, introductions and chapters
Subject entries in Encyclopedia of Social Work, 1981, 1985, 1993, 1995
Written debate in Controversial Issues in Human Behavior, Martin Bloom, ed., 1995
Speeches
Conferences and symposia
Commencement, convocation and miscellaneous addresses, 1971-87
Unpublished works
Dissertation: "Casework and Science: A Study in the Sociology of Knowledge"
[See also Series II. Education]
Correspondence, institutional, 1968-68
Correspondence, advisory, 1967-71
Correspondence, publication, general, 1971-74
Correspondence, publication, University of Chicago Press, 1971-72
Typed manuscript, 1971
Chapters 1-4
Chapters 5-6
Chapter 7-epilogue
"Science and Humanism in Social Casework: The History and Sociology of an Idea System"
Typed manuscript, n.d.
Chapters 1-3
Chapters 4-5
Chapter 6-epilogue
"A History of Practice Theory in Social Work" (with Ann Hartman)
Typed manuscript (incomplete), bibliographies and references, n.d.
Correspondence, 1975-76, n.d.
Unidentified writings, 1995, n.d.
Typed essays, probably unpublished, 1983, 1985, n.d.
Addiction
Adolescence
Adulthood
AIDS
Census data
Children
Community
Death and dying
Divorce
Dubos, Rene
Elders and aging
Empathy, friendship, non-traditional relationships
Empowerment
Environment, natural world
Ethics in social work
Family violence
Feminism, general
Feminism
"The 'Risk' of Essence"
"Feminism and Methodology"
Genetics
Health, healthcare
History and philosophy of science
History of social work
"One Hundred Years of Social Work in Kansas: Beginning Before 1866 and Ending After 1966," by Esther E. Twente
Homelessness
Homosexuality
Immigrants, minorities, refugees
Language
Legal
Life course theory
Marriage and couplehood
Mental illness
National Conference of Social Work: proceedings (incomplete), 1926-27, 1932, 1936-37, 1939, 1940-41
National Conference of Social Work: proceedings (incomplete), 1942, 1948, 1954-56
National Conference on Social Welfare (incomplete), 1957-58,1960-61
Physical disability and chronic illness
Physical and emotional environment
Physical illness
Physiology: the brain
Physiology: pregnancy
Politics
Poverty
Reynolds, Bertha Capen
School age child
School years
Schools
Simulations
Social work theory
Stress
Summer camp
Work, workplace
Miscellaneous, unidentified
OVERSIZE MATERIAL
Artwork for Human Behavior in the Social Environment: An Ecological View, 1991
Diagram from subject file "Simulations"
Pamphlet, "Vital Signs of a Healthy Nation", National Association of Social Workers, n.d.