Book Note #2
An occasional series on books I'm reading or have rea
The word compendium is not new to me, but I found myself looking it up this morning. I certainly understand it in context, but if you were to ask me what it meant, I would be stumped. In case you find yourself in that situation, here’s what Merriam-Webster Online has to say.
“1: a brief summary of a larger work or a field of knowledge: abstract
2: a: a list of a number of things
b: collection; compilation.”
I needed to be sure I understood this word before I told you about the subject of today’s Book Note, The Maplewood College Compendium: A Resource for Student Affairs Leaders by Laura A. De Veau, Ed.D. 1
Full disclosure notice: Laura is a colleague and a friend and I’m part of the group she asked to read and review her new book. I come to this with a bias toward liking it because of that, but I’m writing a book note about it because it is very good, amazingly well designed, and based in real life experience. I also bring my experience as a professor in Educational Administration who has taught an introduction to the field of Student Affairs course. I would have loved to have had this book to use as a teaching tool and resource.
Because there isn’t much out there, Laura began writing her own case studies and in doing so, she has imagined Maplewood College into existence. Maplewood is peopled with students, faculty, and administrators who are true to life. Her sixteen chapters are each a fully developed case study based in the context of this fictional educational institution. Many of the case studies made me smile in recognition. A few made my muscles clench in tension as I anticipated all of the issues that would be showing up as I continued to read. Each chapter starts with naming from among the various people who are part of Maplewood under the heading, “Personalities Central to the Case.” They conclude with questions for discussion or suggested next steps to consider. Both provide readers the opportunity to engage with critical aspects presented in the case study.
Just as impressive are the Appendices. Not only is there an organizational chart of the Division of Student Affairs, but there is an imagined manual of standard operating procedures that would be the envy of most campus administrative divisions. In other words, these case studies don’t just float out there as examples of stories that might happen on campus, they are firmly grounded within this realistically designed campus. Professors who wish to use this book in class have the opportunity to expect students to understand relevant policy and procedure in formulating their answers and in asking additional questions. No, students probably won’t have everything they need to reach decisions or “take action” but that’s a reality in our real lives as well. We rarely have all the information we would like in difficult times.
Dr. De Veau’s book is more than a list of possible scenarios. It functions in the first definition of compendium, it is also a summary of a field of knowledge. As such, it’s both an interesting read for someone who is interested in college and university life and has the potential to be an excellent teaching tool in any number of classes in the Educational Administration curriculum. I’m glad to be able to share it with you today.
Take care,
Gage
Today’s Book Note is more highly specialize than usual, but this fits under the rubric of a book I just read. I also think it’s a useful teaching design that might interest anyone who’s wishing for a book of case studies. I think it would be a good thing if it inspired someone to write something like it for their field of knowledge.
Thank you, Gage for this wonderful review of my book! I am so grateful to you and so pleased that you find it a worthwhile resource.