Diversity Consciousness: Opening Our Minds to People, Cultures, and Opportunities
“Diversity Consciousness is user friendly, that is, the students find it easy to read and yet it does not achieve this by “dumbing down” the content. Also, the organization of the book seems to help the student move through what can be a very difficult and troubling subject.”\ --John Rushing, Barry University\ "Diversity Consciousness can provide an inclusive roadmap for understanding and dialoguing about differences. I wish that this book had been available to me as an undergraduate. What I...
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This empowering study on human diversity helps readers develop the ability to understand, respect, and value diversity–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 integrating a variety of real-life student experiences and perspectives, it discusses topics in a style that promotes self-reflection and dialogue that is inclusive and not condescending. Complete with self-reflective journal questions, case studies, and interactive exercises, it discusses diversity and workplace issues–such as teamwork, conflict management, leadership, racism, prejudice, and communication; and zeroes in on the relationship between an employee's success and his/her ability to develop flexible thinking to positively and effectively deal with a variety of diversity issues.
Chapter 1Diversity: An Overview 1Learning Objectives 1Our Changing Cultural Landscape 2Demographic Changes in the United States 3Technological and Social Changes 10A Range of Reactions 16Cultural Cruise Control 17Beginning Adjustments 18Fine Tuning 20Views of Diversity: Assimilation and Pluralism 21Dimensions of Diversity 25Diversity Between and Within Groups 29Diversity Myths 30What Is Diversity Consciousness? 32Diversity Education 33Case Studies 35Exercises 38Internet Assignment 39Notes 39Chapter 2Diversity Consciousness and Success 42Learning Objective 42Definitions of Success 43Sociocultural Theory and Success 45Why Diversity Skills Are Important 46Success at School 47Success at Work 54Individual/Organizational Benefits 59The Individual 59The Organization 61Diversity Training in the Workplace 63The Costs of Inadequate Diversity Consciousness 68Case Studies 71Exercises 73Internet Assignment 74Notes 75Chapter 3Personal and Social Barriers to Success 77Learning Objectives 77Six Barriers to Success 79Barrier 1 Limited Perceptions 79Barrier 2 Ethnocentrism 82Barrier 3 Stereotypes 86Barrier 4 Prejudice 91Barrier 5 Prejudice Plus Power 96Barrier 6 Discrimination 100Overcoming Diversity Barriers 105Case Studies 112Exercises 114Internet Assignment 116Notes 116Chapter 4Developing Diversity Consciousness 119Learning Objectives 119The Importance of Diversity Consciousness 119Cultural Encapsulation 121Six Areas of Development 124Examining Ourselves and Our Worlds 124Expanding Our Knowledge of Others and Their Worlds128Stepping Outside of Ourselves 132Gauging the Level of the Playing Field 134Checking Up on Ourselves 140Following Through 141Strategies for Developing Diversity Consciousness 142Diversity Education-A Range of Opportunities 144A Lifelong, Continuing Process 147Case Studies 148Exercises 149Internet Assignment 151Notes 151Chapter 5Communicating in a Diverse World 153Learning Objectives 153Communication and Culture 154Electronic Communication 158Diversity Consciousness and Communication 161Areas of Development: Diversity Consciousness and Communication 162Communication Matters 170Barriers to Effective Communication 172Hot Buttons 174Difficult Dialogues 177Communicating Inclusively 179Case Studies 182Exercises 184Internet Assignment 186Notes 186Chapter 6Teamwork 188Learning Objectives 188Teams Today 188Teamwork at School 190Teamwork in the Workplace 192Virtual Teaming 194Developing Teamwork Skills 195Diversity Consciousness and Teaming 197High-Performance Teams 200Ten Proven Strategies for Building High-Performance Teams 201Obstacles to Teamwork 203Conflict 205Conflict Management 206Case Studies 213Exercises 215internet Assignment 217Notes 217Chapter 7Leadership 219Learning Objectives 219What is Leadership? 220Diversity-Conscious Leadership 223Who Can Be a Diversity-Conscious Leader? 224Key Skills of a Diversity-Conscious Leader 225Adapting 225Thinking and Communicating Inclusively 227Assessing and Monitoring 227Four Building Blocks of Diversity-Conscious Leadership: An Assessment 228Leadership Theories 231Leadership in a Cultural Context 232Individualism Versus Collectivism 233Large or Small Power Distance 233Strong or Weak Uncertainty Avoidance 235Masculinity Versus Femininity 235The Diversity-Conscious Leader of the Future 238Leadership Development 239Future Challenges 240Case Studies 241Exercises 243Internet Assignment 244Notes 244Chapter 8Conclusion 245Learning Objectives 245Opening Our Minds to Opportunities 246Future Challenges 250Technological Change and Globalization 251Changing Demographics in the United States 254Continuing Potential for Divisiveness and Hope 256Case Studies 258Exercises 260Internet Assignment 261Notes 261Bibliography 263Index 273
\ From the Publisher"Diversity Consciousness is impressive because it is not a mere diatribe on the need for diversity. Bucher extensively incorporates and cites classic and empirical research, plus works by well known writers, to better help the reader understand what he means by diversity and its growth locally and globally."\ --Matthew Oware, DePauw University (from Teaching Sociology)\ “Diversity Consciousness is user friendly, that is, the students find it easy to read and yet it does not achieve this by “dumbing down” the content. Also, the organization of the book seems to help the student move through what can be a very difficult and troubling subject.”\ --John Rushing, Barry University\ " Diversity Consciousness can provide an inclusive roadmap for understanding and dialoguing about differences. I wish that this book had been available to me as an undergraduate. What I value in this book are the stories, the exercises and opportunities to listen through others about their experiences on various topics. The tools in this book and the dialogue are essential to having an understanding of how to navigate through our diverse society." --Brenda Thompson, Principal Consultant for Diversity, MGM Mirage\ \ \
