Full Description
In Putting Students First, the authors argue that colleges can and should invest in holistic student development by recognizing and building on the students' search for purpose in life, intellectually, spiritually, and morally. Based on a study conducted at ten religiously-affiliated schools, the book urges all colleges to rethink their approach to teaching and advising the increasingly diverse students of today; their critical mission should be to prepare students to become ethically responsible and active contributors to society, as well as critical thinkers and skilled professionals.Putting Students First offers perspectives and recommendations in areas of holistic student development such as * Understanding millennial college students * The role of faculty in defining culture * The design and implementation of curriculum * The impact of cocurricular involvement * Fostering relationships with on-campus and off-campus communities By organizing the campus environment into "4Cs"-culture, curriculum, cocurriculum, and community-the authors create a conceptual framework for faculty, student affairs staff, and administrators to discuss, plan, and create college environments that effectively support the learning and development of students. Each chapter includes an introduction, evidence and analysis, a summary, and questions to help readers consider how to develop students holistically on their own campuses.
Contents
About the Authors. Foreword. Acknowledgements. Introduction. 1 Putting Students First. Introduction. Why Is It Important to Put Students and Their Development First? Who Are Today's College Students? Who Develops These Students? In What Context Is Holistic Development Occurring? Why Study Church-Related Colleges and Universities? Summary. 2 Conceptual Framework and Design of the Project. Introduction. Theoretical Bases for Holistic Student Development. Faith, Spirituality, and Student Development. Student Development and the Church-Related Context. Conceptual Framework: Personal Investment Theory. Project Design. Summary. 3 Culture. Introduction. Discerning and Acting on Institutional Mission. Copyrighted Material. vi Putting Students First. Building on a Legacy. Communicating Institutional Mission and Identity. Leadership. College Location. Campus Facilities. Expectations and Contributions of Faculty. Faculty as Role Models. Using a Career Perspective on Faculty Development. Faculty Evaluation as a Reflection of Culture. Support and Challenge. Summary. Questions for Campus Conversations. 4 Curriculum. Introduction. Philosophical Foundations of the Curriculum. Centrality of a Liberal Arts Education. Integrating Faith and Learning. Worldviews. Pedagogy. Developmentally Tailored Experiences for Students. Pedagogy of Engagement: Field-Based and Community-Based Learning. Summary. Questions for Campus Conversations. 5 Cocurriculum. Introduction. Mutual Reinforcement of Learning. Campus Rituals. Residence Life. Student Leadership. Relationships With Coaches, Professional Staff, and Campus Ministry. Faculty Interactions. Immersion Experiences. Summary. Questions for Campus Conversations. 6 Community. Introduction. Shared Governance. Defining Community. Maintaining Community Amidst Change. Diversity Within Community. Communities Beyond the Campus. Dealing With Difference and External Communities. Summary. Questions for Campus Conversations. 7 Creating Communities That Put Students First. Introduction. Chapter Overview. Mission Is Reality, Not Rhetoric. Learning and Development Are Integrated. The Campus Community Fosters Support and Challenge. Summary. Bibliography. Index.
