The Art of Morality: Developing Moral Sensitivity Across the Curriculum

This year's theme is chosen in part because the dates of the conference correspond to the ARTPRIZE event in Grand Rapids which is an international art competition that brings 1200+ pieces of art to our city. The streets and parks are alive with art sculptures, performances, paintings and photography, and museums offer free admission to indoor and outdoor exhibits. Because different fields such as medicine, business, law, social work, journalism, etc. vary in the kinds of social relations and engagements between professionals and their clients, developing moral sensitivity within each field may be something unique and akin to learning an art form. Being perceptive and empathetic to the needs of others and the moral demands of a situation are important skills for moral action and essential for personal development. How we are to teach students to engage in moral actions and to develop necessary sympathies, perceptual abilities, and reasoning skills are pressing questions. In terms of content and theory, what are we to teach our students across the curriculum? What content in our classrooms serves to develop moral sensitivity as a personal matter, and what is the relationship between moral sensitivity and reasoning? In terms of practice, how do we teach them? What specific exercises, strategies, service learning projects, or artistic media develop moral sensitivity, and are the practices akin to an art form or easily applicable across the curriculum? 

Contact: Donna Werner [email protected]

The Society publishes Teaching Ethics and conference papers may be considered for publication in that journal or a possible anthology.

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