Realizing the Democratic Ideal and Disposition Concerns

The programs in the Department demonstrate the faculty and student committement to the College framework, "Realizing the Democratic Ideal." The programs and course content demonstrate the committment to both the moral and intellectual virtues listed below.

Moral virtues

• Sensitivity toward the varieties of individual and cultural diversity
• Disposition and ability to collaborate ethically and effectively with others
• Reverence for learning and seriousness of personal, and public purpose
• Respect for learners of all ages, with special regard for children and adolescents

Intellectual virtues

• Wide general knowledge and deep knowledge of the content to be taught
• Knowledge and appreciation of the diversity among learners
• Understanding what affects learning and appropriate teaching strategies
• Interest in and ability to seek out informational and collegial resources
• Contagious intellectual enthusiasm and courage enough to be creative

These moral and intellectual virtues are the major dispositions that the program looks for when admitting candidates. It is assumed that students possess these virtues. Therefore, concerns related to these dispositions need to be identified early and problems need to be resolved as soon as possible.

The College of Education has a procedure that for faculty and staff to report and address concerns about students' dispositions related to the moral and intellectual virtues (e.g., collaboration, honesty/integrity, respect, reverence for learning, emotional maturity, reflection, flexibility, and responsibility issues). See the College of Education pdf form for the procedures related to addressing concerns related to the moral and intellectual virtues.