Book Review: Peacebuilding in Community Colleges: A Teaching Resource,by D. J. Smith (Ed.)

Evaluation of the Book

Around the world change is occurring at remarkable speeds, and educators must face the growing challenge of meeting the emerging educational needs of their students. Globalization and interconnectedness have not only brought new ideas and opportunities but also brought forth increased global tensions and conflicts as people struggle to understand and adapt to a new, more globally connected environment. Accordingly, this book offers educators new and innovative ways of raising student awareness regarding global issues and conflicts that encourages them to reimagine and create new and more effective approaches that promote peaceful ways of interacting with other people. Within the book it is explained that “the pursuit of peace is a collective responsibility” and that “the process that leads one to be a seeker of peace comes from becoming a globally aware citizen” (p. 29). The contributors of this book offer a practice-based approach and discussion on the ways in which peace education might be implemented in adult education to meet that challenge. They offer well-written examples of lesson plans, teaching methods, and syllabi that outline ways to teach the very timely and important curriculum of peace and global education. As educators they encourage students from myriad backgrounds to explore multiple ways of understanding and learning, and ask the students to critically question how and where meaning is constructed. These approaches encourage critical reflection of assumptions, beliefs, and values. Students from diverse backgrounds are engaged in the process of examining the current social constructions that have shaped our modern reality of conflict and are invited to explore, dialogue, and imagine alternative, constructive approaches to address conflict wherever it may arise.

The authors included within their curriculum various materials and texts that might be used to introduce and inform students about other people and cultures. They also included interesting student assignments such as requiring students to serve their community in some way, teleconferencing with other students from various nations, and participating in a mock United Nation’s assembly to resolve a complex social issue. Through peace education and global studies it is hoped that students will be motivated to consider paths toward conflict resolution, possibilities for nonviolent alternatives, and recognition of the importance of human rights in the continual pursuit for social justice.

Recommendation

The ideas and methods contained within this book are applicable and valuable for all levels of higher education. As we prepare for an increasingly complex social environment that brings with it ever-growing social tensions, emphasizing global awareness, conflict resolution skills, and improved dialogue and cooperation promotes greater appreciation for one another and increases the potential for human beings to solve problems. This book’s attempt to emphasize and promote peace studies in education certainly offers a new, and often ignored, approach in encouraging adults to become better equipped both intellectually and emotionally to interact with others and apply creative solutions to new and emerging issues. Peace education offers an opportunity to incorporate more holistic methods of learning that can foster improved personal awareness as well as greater openness to other perspectives and human understanding. It is a curriculum that offers greater understanding and appreciation of the need for dialogue and respect for others within our globally connected environment. “The better we know each other as citizens of differing cultures, the more inclined we become to seek conflict solutions that satisfy all involved” (p. 32).