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Historically, character education has been an important aim of many universities. Yet, while the last few decades have witnessed increased interest in character education among children and adolescents, much less attention has been given to the formation of university students in the midst of a crucial period of intellectual and ethical development.
Cultivating Virtue in the University offers insights into why educating character might be an important aim for universities and how institutions might integrate it in an increasingly global and pluralistic age. The book will interest scholars, faculty, staff, and administrators considering whether they might want to integrate character into their institutions as well as public audiences eager to explore the purpose of the university at a time when the future of higher education is under intense debate.
List of contents
- I. Introduction
- 1. Should Universities Cultivate Virtue?: A Case for Character in Higher Education
- Edward Brooks, Michael Lamb, and Jonathan Brant
- II. The University as a Context for Cultivating Virtue
- 2. Virtue and the History of the Modern American University
- Julie Reuben
- 3. Virtue, the German University, and the Limits of Critique
- Chad Wellmon
- 4. Developing Virtue in Emerging Adulthood: Perspectives from Neuroscience, Psychology, and Sociology
- Brian A. Williams
- III. Institutional and Cultural Barriers to Cultivating Virtue
- 5. The Eclipse of Virtue in the University and Wider Society
- Onora O'Neill
- 6. Can Theology Help?
- Nigel Biggar
- IV. How to Cultivate Virtue in the University
- 7. Seven Strategies for Cultivating Virtue in the University
- Michael Lamb, Jonathan Brant, and Edward Brooks
- 8. Closing the Character Gap: Cultivating Honesty in the University
- Christian Miller
- 9. The Beneficial Effects of Cultivating Gratitude in the University
- Blaire Morgan and Liz Gulliford
- 10. Forming Virtuous Character: Psychology in Dialogue with Theology
- Joanna Collicutt
- 11. Cultivating Virtue by Reading Jane Austen
- Jessica Richard
- 12. The Decolonial Virtues of Ethnospeculative Fiction
- Paula M. L. Moya and Lesley Larkin
- V. Conclusion
- 13. Character Education in the University: Opportunities and Challenges
- Michael Lamb, Edward Brooks, and Jonathan Brant
About the author
Jonathan Brant is the Founding Director of The Oxford Character Project and a Research Fellow of Harris Manchester College at the University of Oxford. He also serves postgraduates and researchers in his role as the Oxford Pastorate Chaplain.
Edward
Brooks is Executive Director of the Oxford Character Project at the University of Oxford.
Michael Lamb is Executive Director of the Program for Leadership and Character and Assistant Professor of Politics, Ethics, and Interdisciplinary Humanities at Wake Forest University. He is also a Research Fellow with the Oxford Character Project.
Summary
Across the globe, educators are grappling with how best to prepare a new generation to engage the challenges and opportunities of the twenty-first century. Along with knowledge and skills, many are now emphasizing the importance of character. Yet, while there has been a robust movement to educate character among children and adolescents, much less attention has been given to the ethical formation of college and university students. What is the role of colleges and universities in educating the character of students? Should universities even attempt to cultivate virtue? If so, how can they do so effectively in a pluralistic context?
Cultivating Virtue in the University seeks to answer these questions by gathering diverse perspectives on character education within twenty-first century universities. With essays from some of the world's leading scholars, this volume catalyzes a critical debate about the possibilities and limits of character education in the university while offering theoretical and practical perspectives on what such education could look like in increasingly global and intercultural institutions. By engaging insights from education, history, literature, philosophy, psychology, sociology, and theology, the volume encourages scholars and educators to embrace the opportunities and challenges of cultivating virtue in the university.
Additional text
Cultivating Virtue in the University is a valuable resource for educators who want to bring virtue back into the university environment.
