Multicultural Education In A Pluralistic Society (Paperback)

by Donna M. Gollnick (Author), Philip C. Chinn (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
This well-respected book helps readers understand pluralism and the complexities of cultural backgrounds and how to use this knowledge successfully in the classroom. It appropriately describes seven critical microcultures to which students and teachers belong: class; ethnicity and race; gender; exceptionality; religion; language; and age. These microcultures form the foundation for understanding pluralism and multicultural education. A focus on current issues features sections on hate groups, school violence, social justice, culturally responsible teaching, and teaching for democracy. Video insights incorporated into each chapter promote stimulating social and cultural discussions around video segments from ABC News. For teachers striving to deliver an equitable education to all students. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From the Back Cover
This well-respected book helps readers understand pluralism and the complexities of cultural backgrounds and how to use this knowledge successfully in the classroom. It appropriately describes seven critical microcultures to which students and teachers belong: class; ethnicity and race; gender; exceptionality; religion; language; and age. These microcultures form the foundation for understanding pluralism and multicultural education. A focus on current issues features sections on hate groups, school violence, social justice, culturally responsible teaching, and teaching for democracy. Video insights incorporated into each chapter promote stimulating social and cultural discussions around video segments from ABC News. For teachers striving to deliver an equitable education to all students. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Paperback: 404 pages
• Publisher: Pearson Merrill Prentice Hall; 7th edition (June 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0131197193
• ISBN-13: 978-0131197190
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #352,284 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

40 of 44 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars cruel & unusual punishment, June 10, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society (Paperback)

Certainly, the assignment of this book in a graduate level course must be covered under the Geneva Convention. Not only is it poorly written, but it is intellectually shallow -- nothing but an assemblage of hackneyed cliches about how horrible the "dominant culture" in America is. I cannot believe that I have been assigned this trite tome as the sole text in a GRADUATE level course. What's even worse, it provides virtually no guidance for current or prospective educators about how to effectively teach a classroom full of students of disparate races, cultures, religions and socio-economic backgrounds. What a shame that is, since this is such a very real need in education today. Thank goodness this is only for a 4-week summer intersession. That this book is in its 5TH EDITION is simply beyond comprehension.

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of time, December 3, 2005

By	S. Paltrineri "annoyed in SF" (San Francisco) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Multicultural Education in a Pluralistic Society (6th Edition) (Paperback)

While I can't imagine anybody buying this book unless required to for a class, let me warn you away just in case. It's bad. I mean really bad. The writing is completely without any sort of character or flair. It's only point seems to be that white men are all super lucky and they suck. Personal agenda by the authors, perhaps? Anyway, if it is a required text for a class, complain to the instructor. I wish I had.

38 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A secular humanist apology for multiculturalism in education, September 18, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Multicultural Education In A Pluralistic Society (Paperback)

It is bad enough that this is a poor book with no balance, but to require it as a text in post-graduate studies in education almost brings on apoplexy. It is a secular humanist apoligia for multiculturalism in education. It is singular in point of view, never straying from the thesis that multiculturalism is good and schools must support it; hardly the sort of reference work for a university level discussion of the issues. The philosophy behind the book is that people are hardly more or less than those cultural elements which have been socialized into them with little responsibility for their beliefs or actions. The main text is that every culture is equally valuable in society, forgetting that "society" is essentially American culture with its own priorities. They go into great detail on the virtues of immigrant cultures and the vices of the American culture, hardly accepting that it has a right to exist as well. The most difficult aspect of this is the authors' almost laughable inability to get outside of their point of view and treat the issues with something approaching objectivity. The book is unbearable in its "holier than thou" attitude. I don't know if this is typical of the ilk but if so, it is hardly a wonder that the multicultural mavens have difficulty selling their point of view