ETHICAL CONSIDERATIONS AFFECTING TEACHING IN COMMUNITY COLLEGES: AN ABUNDANCE OF FEELINGS AND LIMITED FACTS

Abstract

A kaleidoscopic array of real and perceived unethical behaviors and practices involving teachers in higher education is making the news and troubling the faculty and administration of community colleges throughout the country. This article explores and reflects upon current and classic ethical issues faced by community college faculty members in their roles as teachers. Further, the article endeavors to ascertain what types of ethical guideposts are available for faculty members and what gaps may exist in the research on this subject. Specifically, the article addresses the following questions: (1) What are some of the major ethical issues currently confronting faculty in community colleges?; (2) What guidance - by type and by content - does the current literature offer to faculty when addressing the identified issues?; (3) What formal guidelines exist regarding professional ethics for faculty in community colleges and what similarities and differences are evident in the existing guidelines?; and (4) What research gaps exist regarding ethics and teaching in community colleges and how might such gaps be eliminated? Although a large body of theoretical and philosophical literature and institutional policies was found concerning the ethics of teaching, very little, if any, research on this issue appears to be currently underway. Thus, the article concludes with five specific suggestions for future research on the subject.