Ethical and Social Issues in Professional Education

This book reflects and extends the great debates that schools, colleges, and universities are having in response to the profound moral conflicts and personal questions facing professionals today: What should we teach our students? What values should we communicate and nurture? What should be the role of the traditional liberal arts in professional education? How should schools and colleges respond to the demands of women and minorities for a more inclusive curriculum?

The authors explore ongoing theoretical and practical considerations of graduate professional education through the ethical and social issues facing professionals in public service. Administrators, teachers, counselors, nurses, or lawyers are recognizing that they face similar questions about their personal and professional lives: Is it possible to sustain a set of fully human values as a practicing professional? As a member of a public organization, how does one deal with dilemmas involving conflicting priorities and ambiguous goals?

The authors responses to these questions are presented as themes, describing connections between curriculum and pedagogy. They have designed an approach to ethical and social questions respectful of the contributions of adult learners and the need to provide diverse perspectives.