Identifying learning objectives and assessing ethics across the curriculum programs

Abstract

Assessing the effectiveness of an Ethics Across the Curriculum (EAC) program depends on having clear answers to two questions about the aim of the program: (1.) Who is it that the EAC program is intended to serve? And (2.) What good is the program intended to achieve for them? While EAC programs come in many shapes and sizes (See the surveys of types of EAC programs in Davis 2018 and University of San Diego 2009.), almost all would answer these questions in the same way. Their goal is to benefit the institution's students, that is, to enhance the students' learning of ethics in some beneficial ways. The first three sections of this article will focus on the best way to identify such Learning Objectives for an EAC program and how to use these Learning Objectives to assess the program's effectiveness in benefitting the students. The final section will discuss some additional assessment questions about EAC programs, especially for programs with more limited resources that cannot assess their program's effectiveness in the best way.