Understanding Human Differences: Multicultural Education for a Diverse America, MyLabSchool Edition

by Kent L. Koppelman, Lee Goodhart

The content of this text is grounded in interdisciplinary research from the behavioral and social sciences including education, psychology, sociology, biology, history, and anthropology. After a brief introduction, each chapter consists of leading questions and responses based on interdisciplinary research and author expertise. Through this inquiry format, the authors encourage students to discuss and debate topics, thereby promoting a deeper understanding of the issues addressed within each chapter. In the chapters examining issues stemming from race, gender, social class, sexual orientation and disability, stereotypes, myths and misconceptions are confronted. Students are challenged to reconsider their perceptions of individuals if their perceptions are based on such stereotypes and misconceptions.

Genres: Education, Textbooks, Reference

384 pages, Paperback

First published May 11, 2004

About the author

Kent L. Koppelman, Ph.D. Education 1979, La Crosse, Wisconsin.

A champion of diversity and the author of “Understanding Human Differences,” Kent Koppelman is known for writing a lasting textbook that is read by college students in multicultural education classes throughout the U.S. He also wrote “Values in the Key of Life: Making Harmony in the Human Community,” another human relations resource. He helped found a number of organizations, including the Wisconsin State Human Relations Association, that promote educational programs that help students recognize and value human diversity.

Koppelman has been recognized as a superb educator and a model mentor with awards like the Outstanding Educator of the Year from Phi Delta Kappa and Wisconsin Teacher Educator of the Year. He recently retired as a professor of education at the University of WisconsinLa Crosse, where he led the educational policy and practice department as chair from 1990 until 2000 and the education studies department from 2003 until 2006.

Readers also know him as the author of “The Fall of a Sparrow,” an eloquent story about the search for meaning, grieving, and healing that followed the death of his son, Jason, in a car accident.

Reviews

[Amber]

1 copy available

[Rhonda Koppelmann · Rating 2 out of 5]

Digs on conservatives, gives liberals a pass. Not objective. Like the historical society to explain ideas

[Irma Cantu · Rating 1 out of 5]

Never take a class that requires this book. Some of it is worth consideration, but most of it is complete and utter hypocritical bullshit.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly informative textbook on understanding human differences at the institutional, individual, and cultural level.

[James Sr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Eye opening!

This is one of the best books I have ever read. As an educator I have reflected on my own biases and made adjustments. All humans have similarities and differences. However, before one human attempt to understand another, I highly recommend reading this book as it is highly informative and and extremely enlightening.

[Karla Strand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Used this textbook with my Education in a Multicultural Context class. It provides a valuable background and context for fuller discussions of issues for futures teachers. Clear definitions, straightforward historical context, accessible. I supplemented with additional articles, activities, and films.

[Karla Strand · Rating 3 out of 5]

useful as a basic intro textbook to multicultural education.

[Annette · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great refresher course on cultural pluralism.

[Amber]

1 copy available

[Heather · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a course textbook and while dry in parts it was a decent read.

[Gwenhwyfar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very concise and informative!