This 72-item bibliography presents an overview of publications related to moral development. The listing includes books and articles related to individual moral character development and how schools are involved in the development process. (EH)

Relevant positions by social scientists, psychologists, educators, philosophers, and other professionals regarding moral education are cited. Related topics (e.g., values, ethics, and altruism) are examined, while philosophical underpinnings of morality plus theories on moral development are mentioned. The author concludes that morality can only…

Moral judgment has not been crystallized by the age of 25. After participating in a 45-hour sexology course in which they discussed moral dilemmas and were introduced to arguments of a higher stage, 36 adults increased test scores in both general and sexual moral judgments. (Author/RM)

Concludes that raising awareness of dominance does not necessarily imply the dismissal of dominant group values. States that what is needed is a critical analysis of the complexity, subtlety, and systemic interrelatedness and embeddedness of dominant beliefs, values, and standards in western, democratic societies. (DAJ)

Examines ethics in contemporary U.S. society. Argues that ethics is not merely what's enforceable, expedient, or excusable. Defines ethics as the moral strength to do what one knows is right, and not to do what one knows is wrong. Contends people cannot isolate the consequences of choosing their own ethical course. (DB)

Suggests that music instruction include teaching ethics and values. Argues that performing ensembles are a powerful tool for imparting values such as integrity, self-esteem, cooperation, and tolerance. Includes charts for evaluating student behavior without including ethics and values as part of an academic grade. (DK)

The importance of motivational beliefs and, more specifically, religion, is identified as central for both citizenship and citizenship education. Whether they take an expressly religious form, or appear in a purportedly more open form, such as faith or world view, beliefs are at the core of human being. The tendency to speak more of shared values…

This research paper attempts to show that the country's dualistic views between perceived morals and practiced morals have confused youth to the point they have difficulty telling right from wrong. The paper advocates that schools should take a more active role in moral education before that role is thrust upon them by a decaying family structure.…

The California School Boards Association (CSBA) established a task force to define the term "character education" and to clarify the needs of the public schools for curricula and instructional materials supporting character education. This report synthesizes the results of the task force's efforts. The failure of U.S. society's formal…

This curriculum unit consists of various student readings and activities on the topic of prejudice. The focus is upon prejudice as it relates to various ethnic groups in North America, to anti-Semitism as a national policy in Nazi Germany, and to immigration policy. It is divided into six episodes, each of which focuses upon the teaching of a…

Arguments that the schools serve a conservative function, passing on existing social values, are summarized and critiqued. Teachers can plan a role in social change by: (1) teaching students to reflect critically on their own values; (2) helping them realize that individuals can change things; and (3) through moral education about social issues.…

The author argues that our educational system and our teachers are so obsessed with the "cult of individualism" that education's social functions have been trivialized. He espouses the views of Emile Durkheim, who saw the chief aim of schooling to be moral education that fosters pupils' collective and corporate experience. (Author/SJL)

Though our larger society feels its traditional values are threatened, the push for character education is motivated by moral concerns and is inappropriate for the school curriculum. Benefits of moral education have not been demonstrated and consume valuable instruction time better served by other topics. Moral values are best taught by example in…

Given that there can be no education without values, how do we define values education in a pluralistic, secular, and democratic society, and on what basis? To answer those questions, we must first distinguish between ethics, morality, and values education, and then examine the present-day context in which these concepts are expressed. (TD)

The modern character education movement emerged in the 1980s as a consequence of growing parental and public concern for moral drift, or what sociologist James Davison Hunter referred to as "the death of character." This public anomie was captured in these words from Sanford McDonnell, chairman emeritus of McDonnell Douglas and chair of…