Perspectives on Human Differences: Selected Readings on Diversity in America

by Kent L. Koppelman

This engaging anthology of essays and short stories explores important–and sometimes provocative–issues of human diversity from multiple perspectives. Perspectives on Selected Readings offers accessible readings from unique personal voices, many of which relate specifically to the concerns of teachers. With its varied contributors – including teachers, scientists, fiction writers, feminists, journalists, historians, sociologists, teacher educators, psychologists, linguists, and community organizers (including one who was elected President of the United States) – this book emphasizes hopeful and practical strategies for addressing challenging issues. It will give readers an opportunity to explore truths about the diverse human experience, from both the past and present, for a brighter future.

384 pages, Paperback

First published March 4, 2010

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

[Mandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

I gave it a middle of the road rating because there are various articles and some were fabulous and really made me think and others I could not believe these people thought this way and wanted bang my head against the wall. I read it for a class.