Diversity Consciousness: Opening Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities (2nd Edition) [Paperback]

Richard D. Bucher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 20, 2003 | ISBN-10: 013049111X | ISBN-13: 978-0130491114 | Edition: 2

This empowering study on human diversity helps readers develop the ability to understand, respect, and value diversity—i.e., raise their “diversity consciousness” —and demonstrates how opening one's mind to the views of other peoples and cultures is central for a quality education and successful career. Personalizing the learning experience by weaving a wide variety of real-life student experiences and perspectives throughout the book, it discusses topics in a style that promotes self-reflection and dialogue, and uses an approach to diversity that is balanced, comprehensive, well-integrated, and relevant to achieving one¿s life goals. KEY TOPICS Complete with self-reflective journal questions and interactive exercises, it offers thorough and current discussions on diversity and workplace issues—what they are, their significance, and their relevance to the reader; discusses concepts such as teamwork, conflict management, leadership, racism, prejudice, and communication in a clear and concise fashion; and zeroes in on the relationship between an employee's success in the workplace and his/her ability to develop flexibility in their thinking so that he/she can positively and effectively deal with a variety of diversity issues. A useful guide to raising diversity consciousness.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Although well researched and emprically grounded, Diversity Consciousness is not targeted towards academicians; rather, it is student-oriented...Bucher's case studies, an addition from the first edition, are a pedagogical gold mine."--- Teaching Sociology, Matthew Oware, DePauw University

 

"A wealth of scenarios, exercises, and practical information in the book illustrates the importance of diversity in achieving equity, intercultural understanding and cooperative success." – Teaching Tolerance magazine

"Diversity Consciousness is clearly well researched. Rich Bucher has written it in a thoughtful manner so the reader can not only grasp the range and depth of a wide range of diversity concepts, but can also apply critical skills to address diversity issues we experience in everyday life." – Gary Izumo, educator and author

"College students must know and understand diversity in order to value it and to develop a diversity consciousness which allows them to negotiate their way through personal, college, and workplace communities. I believe students will respond well to this text book overall ...they will especially appreciate the students' voices represented in the text." – Kathleen C. York, Community College of Denver

"Richard Bucher's work makes a major contribution to a clearer understanding of how and why diversity is crucial to the basic prosperity and future survival of our country." – Franklin D. Raines, Chairman and CEO of Fannie Mae

From the Back Cover

This empowering study on human diversity helps readers develop the ability to understand, respect, and value diversity—i.e., raise their “diversity consciousness”—and demonstrates how opening one's mind to the views of other peoples and cultures is central for a quality education and successful career. Personalizing the learning experience by weaving a wide variety of real-life student experiences and perspectives throughout the book, it discusses topics in a style that promotes self-reflection and dialogue, and uses an approach to diversity that is balanced, comprehensive, well-integrated, and relevant to achieving one's life goals. Complete with self-reflective journal questions and interactive exercises, it offers thorough and current discussions on diversity and workplace issues—what they are, their significance, and their relevance to the reader; discusses concepts such as teamwork, conflict management, leadership, racism, prejudice, and communication in a clear and concise fashion; and zeroes in on the relationship between an employee's success in the workplace and his/her ability to develop flexibility in their thinking so that he/she can positively and effectively deal with a variety of diversity issues. A useful guide to raising diversity consciousness.

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 258 pages
• Publisher: Prentice Hall; 2 edition (April 20, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 013049111X
• ISBN-13: 978-0130491114
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,030,958 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Dr. Richard Bucher is a Professor of Sociology at Baltimore City Community College (BCCC). He teaches a variety of courses, including Introductory Sociology, Cultural Diversity in the Workplace, and Race and Ethnic Relations. Recently, the National Institute for Staff and Organization Development honored him for teaching excellence.

From 1991 to 1996, he served as the first Director of BCCC's Institute for InterCultural Understanding (IIU). Under his leadership, the IIU gained national recognition as an innovative diversity education program.

In 2000, he was honored as the Maryland Professor of the Year by the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching and the Council for the Advancement and Support of Education (CASE).

Rich's interest in diversity issues began as an undergraduate student more than thirty years ago. He received his B.A. from Colgate University, M.A. from New York University, and Ph.D. from Howard University. At Howard, his field of specialization was race and ethnic relations, with a minor in education.

As a professor, Dr. Bucher has created and taught courses dealing with diversity, worked on national grants to infuse diversity into the curriculum, published numerous professional articles, served as an editorial consultant on diversity, and presented at national and international conferences.

Rich has always been actively involved in the community. Each year, he talks to hundreds of youth and adults about diversity and the role it has played in his personal and professional life. Rich describes himself as a family man and fitness enthusiast. He and his wife, Pat, and their three children live in Mt. Airy, Maryland. His oldest son, Jimmy, has autism and lives in nearby Ellicott City. He works full-time at Walmart. Rich's older daughter, Katie is enjoying being a full-time mother, giving a few hours a week to fitness instruction and telecommuting as a financial analyst for Booz Allen Hamilton. Suzy, the youngest, works in the field of public relations and event planning for a chemical education foundation in the DC area.

Read Dr. Bucher's Blog at: http://diversityconsciousness.com/blog

Rich's email: [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 29 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A concise and challenging exploration of diversity, March 14, 2000

By 

Joel Frank (Milwaukee, WI USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diversity Consciousness: Opening Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities (Paperback)

For several years I have been looking for a simple text to use with students to examine issues of diversity. This is it! Bucher presents in 7 short chapters an overview that includes a broad range of issues, balanced theory with practical application, useful and challenging activities. I plan to use this not only with my sociology students but also with human resource personnel who are trying to be more effective managers of diversity. Good work!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Provides opportunities for introspection, January 5, 2008

By 

Jennifer Edwards (Rockville, MD United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diversity Consciousness: Opening Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

This book was mandatory reading for a diversity class that I just finished and I thoroughly enjoyed reading it! Especially helpful were the opportunities to personally reflect on the sidebar questions, which the reader can use to journal and explore their journey as they become more aware and accepting of diversity. Dr. Bucher (and his wife Pat) have written an thoughful book that provides readers with the tools they need to become more open-minded of differences, whether it be race, gender, religion, sexuality--the book touches a variety of aspects. I would recomment this book to anyone!

4 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars From a Sociology Instructor - excellent!, October 20, 2007

By 

M. L. WILLIAMS "Soc. prof" (Philadelphia) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Diversity Consciousness: Opening Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities (2nd Edition) (Paperback)

Richard Bucher has hit the proverbial nail on the head with this insightful, down-to-earth text. I am a humanities professor in a small junior college, where students have little chance to experience more than minimal diversity. This somewhat cloistered environment is a perfect spot for the wisdom and practicality of "Diversity Consciousness." The contents introduce, through case studies, team activities, and individual exercises, concepts of racism, discrimination, ethnocentrism, and other population characteristics capable of damaging personal as well as international relationships. Bucher's careful and logical exploration of the opportunities presented by a diverse culture are more than welcome in my classroom, any time!