Teaching College Students Communication Strategies for Effective Social Justice Advocacy

For faculty and higher education administrators, Nash (education and social services, U. of Vermont) et al. explain ways educators can teach college students communication strategies for effective social justice advocacy, and what the best ways are to advocate for a specific social justice view that might start and sustain an open dialogue rather than creating polarization or ending it. Drawing on their own experiences and including personal narratives, they present strategies for talking about social justice in formal educational settings based on their approach of advocacy dialogue, which is grounded in the principle of respect for the fundamental worth and dignity of every person. Each chapter has a case scenario, examples of dialogue that works and doesn't, and recommendations. They address what it means to be a social justice advocate and the pros and cons of five types of advocacy: radical advocacy; advocates who draw on indignation, anger, or sadness and empathy; those who focus on fad issues; and those who teach through invitation, generosity, and setting an example. The final chapter consists of essays by faculty, administrators, and student affairs professionals working as advocates in different settings. There is no index. Annotation Ac2012 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Robert J. Nash, Ed. D., is a professor in the College of Education and Social Services at the University of Vermont. He has thaught fourty-four years at the University of Vermont and is Director of the Masters Program in Interdisciplinary Studies. Dr. Nash is a Georgetown University Alumnus.
Richard Greggory Johnson III, Phi Beta Kappa, is an associate professor and director of the MPA and BPA programs at the University of San Francisco. Dr. Johnson has published five books, including A Twenty-First Century Approach to Teaching Social Justice: Educating for Both Advocacy and Action (Peter Lang, 2009). He has also published many peer-reviewed journal articles. Dr. Johnson is a Georgetown University Alumnus.
Michele C. Murray, PhD, serves Seattle University as Associate Vice President for Student Development. With Robert Nash, she has co-authored Helping College Students Find Purpose: The Campus Guide to Meaning Making, and she is the author/founder of Cotton Tree Herald (cottontreeherald.com), a blog about finding meaning in the everyday.