Colleges & Universities

Values Courses, Character Education & Community Service in Higher Education Programs

When the Maryland Center for Character Education was established, it had as one of its goals the creation of character education courses in teacher preparation programs and in higher level course work. Colleges and universities in Maryland are now beginning to institute courses in character education for Masters Degree Programs in Education. In addition, many colleges place emphasis on community service programs which are strong components in fostering character. Here are some colleges which are currently offering these types of courses & programs:

Goucher College

The Character Education course at Goucher College, called "Values," is a required 1.5 credit course for the M. Ed. Program and an elective for M.A.T. students. It is designed to provide an overview of values/character education as it relates to changes in today's society. The course explores the role of the school, the curriculum, the teacher, and the family as moral influences. Students develop instructional strategies which can be applied within the classroom and beyond.

 

College of Notre Dame of MD

The course at Notre Dame is entitled "Contemporary Educational Issues: Values in Education" and is a three credit elective in the M. Ed. Program. The course examines the forces that influence the values in society and considers ways of reaffirming and assuring a humane, just, and caring environment for succeeding generations. The contributions of philosophers and of developmental psychologists are analyzed, and their theories are tested in educational settings. Students develop practical plans for implementing values education in schools and communities.

The importance of preparing teachers to implement character education in the classroom is critical, and Goucher and Notre Dame are to be commended for their leadership.

 

Naval Academy

At the Naval Academy there are two programs that apply to CHARACTER EDUCATION:

The Naval Academy teaches a core course in Ethics and Moral Reasoning to all Sophomores. In this course, the classic moral theories of Relativism, Utilitarianism, Kantian Duty Ethics, Natural Law Theory, and Divine Command are taught. In addition, Character based concepts such as Aristotelian Virtue Ethics and Stoicism are taught. These theories are then applied to cases of personal moral reasoning as well as military ethics situations. The students are taught in a Socratic method in which they are not only asked what option they would choose in the case, but more importantly, why? It is only through deeper and deeper questions of why can the student understand their own moral reasoning and get to the "moral point." The Academy also teaches Constitutional ethics which ensures that these future Naval and Marine Corps Officers understand the terms of their commitment and Oath of Office.

 

Character development is taught at the Naval Academy through a series of seminars in which the midshipmen have to face difficult situations and explain their actions. It becomes clear quickly that doing the right thing is often harder. To know "the right thing" may come from understanding of your moral values. But to do the right thing will come from Character. So at the Naval Academy they want them to practice doing the right thing many times until it becomes habit (Aristotle). The culmination of this Character development is a "Capstone" seminar during their senior year, in which they spend a whole day dealing with "Issues of Officership". Specifically they deal with the competing priorities of: Truth and Loyalty - The Impact on Decision Making, Competing Demands: Military Career and Family, Responsibility and Accountability, and Justice and Mercy As a Military Leader.

Contact: Capt Rick Rubel
Distinguished Military Professor of Ethics
U.S. Naval Academy
Annapolis MD
Phone: 410-293-6014

 

Hood College

 

At Hood College there are two educational programs that include Character Education in the curriculum:

 

The Elementary Social Studies Curriculum focuses on the multidisciplinary approach to social studies in the elementary school program. Emphasis is on the integration of language arts and social studies. Incorporating a broad range of materials and methods, students will learn subject integration and how to promote thinking skills. The Early Childhood Social Studies Curriculum focuses on the appropriate curriculum and methodologies in teaching language arts and social studies in kindergarten and primary education. Integrated into each curriculum is a component on Character Education and Citizenship.

 

Dr. George has also presented a session entitled, "Character Education: A School District's Story" at the National Council of Social Studies National Convention.

 

Contact: Dr. John George
Education Department Chair
Office Hours: Tu 2-4 p.m.; Weds 10:30-11:30 a.m.
Phone: 301-696-3766

The Maryland Center for Character Education
29 West Susquehanna Ave., Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21204

E-Mail: MCCEcharacter@aol.com