Scholarship on character development in college |
The Journal of College and Character is a refereed journal that publishes scholarly articles and applied research on issues related to ethics, values, and character development in the higher education setting. The journal focuses specifically on how colleges and universities influence, both intentionally and unintentionally, the moral and civic learning and behaviors of college students.
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Current issue
VOLUME X, NO. 6, September 2009
BACK-TO-SCHOOL ISSUE
Hard Times in Higher Education: Impact and Implications for Student Learning and Development
FROM THE EDITORS
LIVING WITH MAYBES: THE UPSIDE OF HARD TIMES FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS
Jon C. Dalton, Florida State University
Pamela C. Crosby, Florida State University
In this article the authors examine the “upside” of the financial
downturn for college students and explore whether the hard times that
confront students today may have some unexpected positive benefits, not
only for college students but also for higher education.
FEATURED INVITED ESSAYS
HARD TRUTHS IN DARK TIMES: AVOIDING CAMPUS CLIMATE DEPRESSION IN A RECESSION
George Kuh, Indiana University
In these hard economic times, maintaining a high quality experience for
many students will be especially difficult, especially at large public
institutions, as class sizes grow and faculty and staff numbers shrink.
HOLDING ON TO HIGHER EDUCATION'S HIGHEST CALLING IN HARD TIMES
Diana Chapman Walsh, Wellesley College
The unanticipated and unwelcome detour precipitated by the economic
recession comes at a time of vulnerability for American higher
education. We can hope that the current economic crisis may be the
impetus institutions of higher learning have needed to become
experiential learning organizations.
SEASONS OR GLOBAL WARMING: REFLECTIONS ON FINANCIAL CHALLENGES IN HIGHER EDUCATION
Susan R. Komives, University of Maryland
Campuses can learn from their experiences throughout cycles of feast
and famine. Leaders in student affairs can build resiliency in their
staff and institutions in the face of many kinds of challenges from
economic stress.
CHOOSING TO HOPE IN CHALLENGING TIMES
Florence A. Hamrick, Iowa State University
This fall, more students with financial or educational uncertainties
may be seeking assistance at student affairs offices with smaller
staffs, fewer resources, or both. While offering no concrete solutions
to these problems, the three major ethics and professional standards
statements are abiding sources of support and guidance as student
affairs professionals begin what may be a very difficult year.
HOPING IN HARD TIMES
Larry Moneta, Duke University
Colleges and universities are destined to endure at least a short-term
future of economic stress. Hopes and fears operate in a delicate and
harmonious interplay...stimulating feelings of optimism and
pessimism.
SURVIVING THE STORM: HOW THE RECESSION IS INFLUENCING COLLEGE STUDENTS TODAY FOR POSITIVE CHANGE
Margaret J. Barr, Northwestern University
The author compares the current financial crises to a storm that
influences all members of the academic community—students, faculty, and
staff. She provides several suggestions for how institutions and
individuals could and should react to the financial storm that has
changed all of our lives.
PEER REVIEWED
RELATIONSHIP OF ATTACHMENT STYLE AND ETHNIC IDENTITY TO SELF-ACTUALIZATION IN COLLEGE STUDENTS
Lisa M. Vaughn, Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center/University of Cincinnati College of Medicine
Stacey Naylor, Xavier University
Stacy White, Jr. University of Connecticut
The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between
self-actualization, attachment style, and ethnic identity of college
students.
CONCEPTS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE AS A CULTURAL CONSENSUS: STARTING POINTS FOR COLLEGE STUDENTS OF DIFFERENT POLITICAL PERSUASIONS
Andrew M. Guest, University of Portland
James M. Lies, University of Portland
Jeff Kerssen-Griep, University of Portland
Thomas J. Frieberg, University of Portland
Noting that diverse possible definitions for social justice seem to
underlie some controversies surrounding the concept, the authors
conducted a study that employs a version of cultural consensus analysis
to investigate actual college student definitions of conditions and
actions they associate with social justice.
OPINIONS AND PERSPECTIVES
SCAM-ING SERVICE-LEARNING AND MISSION TRIPS: A SATIRICAL ESSAY
Mark Wm. Radecke, Susquehanna University
What constitutes a “good” service-learning venture or short-term
mission trip? This article summarizes, in narrative form, eleven years
of research into best and worst practices in service-learning ventures
and short-term mission trips.
PROFESSORS AS LEADERS: BEING OPEN AND TEACHABLE
Larry A. Braskamp, Loyola University Chicago
Professors are more apt to be effective leaders if they view themselves
as having a unique voice among many voices, share their voice and
encourage others to express their views and perspectives within a
community of challenge and support, and demonstrate openness to new
ideas and viewpoints of those with whom they interact—students and
colleagues.
SPIRITUALITY ON CAMPUS
DEVELOPING AN ASSESSMENT OF COLLEGE STUDENTS’ SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCES: THE COLLEGIATE RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL CLIMATE SURVEY
Alyssa N. Bryant , Contributing Editor, North Carolina State University
Keith Wickliffe, North Carolina State University
Matthew J. Mayhew, New York University
Laurie Bartell Behringer, New York University
The authors initiated a project designed to examine campus climates and
religious and spiritual programming in colleges and universities and
each program’s relationship to college student outcomes. This essay
describes our journey toward developing a new assessment tool: The
Collegiate Religious and Spiritual Climate Survey.
ETHICAL ISSUES ON CAMPUS
THE ETHICS OF ENTERING AND LEAVING ORGANIZATIONS
Larry D. Roper, Contributing Editor, Oregon State University
If it is our goal to be seen as honest, ethical, caring, and civil
individuals, we must project those qualities from our earliest
interactions with those in an organization. We send messages about the
quality of our character from the time we first interact with a
prospective employer.
CIVIC ENGAGEMENT ON CAMPUS
TIERS OF UNDERSTANDING AT THE HARVARD SQUARE HOMELESS SHELTER
Scott Seider, Contributing Editor, Boston University
Scott Seider is currently completing a book about the Harvard Square
Homeless Shelter in Cambridge, Massachusetts, run entirely by
university students. Some initial findings from this research project
are offered in this article, which introduces the JCC's new column on
civic engagement.
NEW SCHOLARS AND SCHOLARSHIP
A TRIBUTE TO DR. DEBORA LIDDELL
Jon Dalton and Pam Crosby, Co-editors
After eight years of stimulating interviews and valuable contributions
to the JCC, Dr. Debora Liddell will be turning over her editorship of
the popular New Scholars and Scholarship to Dr Cheryl Keen.
FINDING THE GOOD LIFE: HOW POSITIVE PSYCHOLOGY CAN HELP COLLEGE
STUDENTS TO DISCOVER AND UTILIZE THEIR PERSONAL STRENGTHS AND
VIRTUES—AN INTERVIEW WITH MATTHEW J. BUNDICK
Interview by Debora L. Liddell, Contributing Editor, University of Iowa
Bundick's research focuses broadly on positive development and
psychological well-being in late adolescence and emerging adulthood,
with much of his current work concentrating on the structure, function,
and development of purpose in life.
STUDENT REFLECTIONS
REFLECTIONS OF A WEST POINT EDUCATION IN WARRIOR SPIRIT AND MORAL LEADERSHIP
Samantha Nicoll, United States Army
The rigors of West Point have primed cadets for the challenges they
will face in their careers as army officers, and beyond. West Point
provides the crucible in which to fail and learn, and most importantly,
to lead.
BEST PRACTICES
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE TEACHER? TO GUIDE THE STUDIES OF OTHERS
Robert A. Waterson, West Virginia University
Issues that are created by real world lessons may lead to deliberations
regarding justice, equity, respect, and other virtues that might
contribute not only to better students, but to better citizens.
WHAT THEY'RE READING
TURNAROUND LEADERSHIP FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Reviewed by Liesa Stamm, Contributing Editor, Rutgers University
The central premise of Turnaround Leadership for Higher Education
is that institutions of higher education need to become more
“change-capable” to meet successfully the economic and societal
challenges of the 21st century.