Abstract
Higher education scholars have varied views about the importance of moral experts for college students. To complicate matters, higher education scholars and student affairs professionals often have little knowledge of students’ perspectives regarding such questions. This article provides a longitudinal case study analysis of students at a mid-size, faith-based research university, exploring how students seek moral expertise through social support from members of their social or religious communities. We interviewed fourteen students in their first and third years of enrollment regarding their understanding of moral expertise. Findings suggest students sought out moral experts with religious organizations and peer mentors providing the primary sources of moral expertise.
Disclosure Statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Samuel J. E. Cox
Samuel Cox ([email protected]) is a leadership programs coordinator in the office of Student Engagement and Career Development (SECD) at the University of Arizona. During the authorship of this article he was at Baylor University.
Luke T. Waldbillig
Luke Waldbillig ([email protected]) is a residence hall director in the Department of Campus Living and Learning (CL&L) at Baylor University.
Perry L. Glanzer
Perry L. Glanzer ([email protected]) is professor of educational foundations at Baylor University, a resident scholar with Baylor Institute for Studies of Religion, and editor-in-chief of Christian Scholar’s Review.