Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice: A Sourcebook

by Maurianne Adams (Editor), Lee Anne Bell (Editor), Pat Griffin (Editor)

For nearly a decade, Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice has been the definitive sourcebook of theoretical foundations and curricular frameworks for social justice teaching practice. This thoroughly revised second edition continues to provide teachers and facilitators with an accessible pedagogical approach to issues of oppression in classrooms. Building on the groundswell of interest in social justice education, the second edition offers coverage of current issues and controversies while preserving the hands-on format and inclusive content of the original. Teaching for Diversity and Social Justice presents a well-constructed foundation for engaging the complex and often daunting problems of discrimination and inequality in American society. Special Features of the Second

Genres: Education, Social Justice, Nonfiction, Teaching, Sociology, Anti Racist, LGBT

392 pages, Paperback

First published March 25, 1997

About the author

Professor Emerita at UMass Amherst, Maurianne Adams (Ph.D.) is co-editor/chapter author of Teaching for diversity and social justice (2nd edition, 2007) and the companion volume of readings Readings for diversity and social justice (3rd edition, 2013). She co-edited Strangers and neighbors: Relations between Blacks and Jews in the United States (1999) and edited Promoting Diversity in the College Classroom (1992). She has authored encyclopedia and handbook segments on social justice and social justice education, and book chapters and articles on social justice pedagogy, inclusive teaching, religious oppression, antisemitism, and classism. She regularly presents on topics related to social justice and diversity faculty leadership and student development, and consults on social justice programming. Her current research focuses on social justice instructional outcomes, and on the histories of religious oppressions. Adams is editor for the education journal Equity & Excellence in Education.

Reviews

[Jules · Rating 4 out of 5]

I used the opening chapters of this book with a faculty reading group focused on teaching social justice. They were beautifully written introductions to both the theories that undergird social justice teaching as well as the pedagogies -- and the histories of both. I'd highly recommend these opening chapters, if nothing else, as useful resources for faculty wanting to better understand how to work towards these goals.

[sonny singh suchdev · Rating 4 out of 5]

great tool for social justice educators. curriculum, theory, practical tips, etc...

[Erin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really wonderful activities; framing of conversations is fantastic.

[Julie White · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent primer.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really liked this. It had clear explainers for different SJ theories and lots of ideas for how to incorporate SJ into practice.

Some of the terminology is already a little outdated (I'm reading the 2016 edition in 2020) -- folks generally don't include the * after trans anymore and actually a lot of disabled people prefer identity first language to person first language (not everyone but enough that I wouldn't make any universal proclamations about which to use). But if you're not part of those communities and make sure to check in on terminology before using it, the rest of the discussions included here are helpful.

I have no idea how to access the online teaching resources though. Every time I've tried to find them on the Routledge website I find myself going in an endless circle.

[Andrew Benesh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This guide is incredibly helpful for instructors of courses in diversity and social justice. It provides solid guidance on how to introduce and navigate challenging topics, create an inclusive classroom, and is good at prompting instructor self-reflection. I was glad to have it while teaching the companion text - which to me is significant, because most instructor guides are not helpful! I would even consider having advanced students read this as a follow up to the companion text.

[Kari · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book has great research and definitions but is directed at profs or trainers who teaching full courses on social justice. It’s not about weaving social justice into the high school classroom. It also references activities that are supposedly explained on a companion website that my book group could not find.

[Emma · Rating 5 out of 5]

This textbook changed my life! Fantastically laid out, organized well, approachable and has many resources you won't find in another place.

[Caylie Ratzlaff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for the SJE curriculum at Kansas State University. Highly recommend for those needing experience with SJE.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

An incredibly useful resource for anyone teaching courses or workshops on social justice or on a specific area of oppression (e.g., racism, classism, ableism). I used parts of this book last year to prepare to teach social justice to first-year college students and will undoubtedly be drawing on it again as a resource for a revamped version of the class this year.

The book provides excellent overviews of relevant theories and histories, examples of learning activities, reflections designed to move students from thinking about personal experiences to institutional and cultural systems of oppression, and clear ways to construct action plans based on any individual learner's current interests, knowledge, and level of comfort. It also offers thoughtful insights into the challenges and benefits of social justice education for both facilitators and learners.

The only drawback of this book is one that's common to many resources of this kind: the most recent edition was published in 2007, so some of its information is limited or outdated. I hope to see an updated third edition in the next few years!

[Selmoore Codfish · Rating 4 out of 5]

The book give explicit examples on how to teach 1 or 3 credit courses related to several social justice topics such as racism and sexism. The book is most relevant to college teachers, but should be interesting to anyone wanting to read discussion of several social justice topics.
Each chapter is written by a different author. This is a disadvantage to most books since each author has a unique voice and the flow of the book is disrupted between chapters. However, it is not as bad in this book because each author followed the same rigid format as the others in laying out social justice curriculum.
The authors' opinions on social justice were fairly well balanced. Some interesting quotes will show you their emphasis:
In chapter 10 on disability (p. 202): "Without positive messages about who they are, persons with disabilities are vulernable to internalizing society's negative messages about disability."
In chapter 11 on economic class segregation (p. 232): "..discussions involving issues of class and money are often more taboo than discussing sexuality."

[Lynn Sereda · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are planning on putting together workshops or becoming an educator, this is a must have. All the "isms" are included, as well as interactive exercises which you can use with groups including younger people as well as seasoned community organizers.

[Hugh · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is a must-have for everyone who is or is becoming an educator. I find myself returning to this text with regularity to think about ways to approach teaching the interconnectedness of all isms and issues of diversity.

[Rebecca]

Looking for more updated reading than the rehashed tidbits I got from my recent class.

[Dayspring · Rating 5 out of 5]

A must-have resource for social justice educators or anyone wishing to further their own understanding of how to facilitate meaningful conversations about diversity and social justice.

[Awtar · Rating 5 out of 5]

Comprehensive resource for very important work. It is giving me a new life mission.

[Jen Steffens · Rating 4 out of 5]

Had this book for a college class. Didn't really read it. :)

[Arleny Alvarez-Peña · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very helpful book for anyone interested in diversity work. Should be on every educators book shelf!

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok it's like a 3.5

[Ori Tsameret]

abolish the woke textbook industrial complex

[Laurel Perez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic text for educators, it attempts to define and address diversity and what it means to allow it to flourish, as well as bring it into our classrooms. It includes strategies, as well as ways of questioning what we bring into our classrooms and why, as well as the same for our students.