Sociology

Ethical and moral issues have been a matter of concern in contemporary classrooms. As a matter of fact, there is no single teacher who has not faced the challenge of having to deal with ethically contentious issues within the classroom. Whether element of the designed core curriculum or emanating from the societal context of learner s lives, the listing of issues educators have to content and or deal with appears infinite. (Vangelist, A.L et al, 1999)

Some of these issues comprise chauvinism, pacifism, religious values, historical unfairness, racial discrimination, dishonest and cheating in society and school in addition to teenager rebellion. When confronted with these issues, teachers are faced with a variety of alternatives, and whilst our rejoinders say a lot as regards our individual philosophies as educators, we should as well lean a great deal on both our sensitivity to situation in addition to the needs of our learners. Basically, instructors do not all the time make a decision each day to act in unprincipled ways, although at times we do. Consequently, the question is, how should we as educators act in response when ethically contentious subjects crop up within the classroom Should we take positions on ethical subjects or should we play a more neutral position (Vangelist, A.L et al, 1999)

Making religious references is one moral issue we teachers are faced with in the classroom. It can be intricate to talk on the subject of religion within your classroom although to stay away from the subject all together appears problematical. It is quite difficult for a World Civilization instructor to have a discussion about history without referring to religion. How do I talk concerning the Pyramids devoid of speaking regarding Egyptian religious practice Or Greek myths. In these instances, I am, in reality, conversing regarding religion inside the classroom. I am not, however, inviting my learners to subscribe to any spiritual dogma.

Of course, schools are liable to detach church and state. Nevertheless, the increasingly altering scenery of the American classroom denotes instructors are obligated to correspond to each one of their learners.Religiosity, or devoid there of, is an important constituent of traditions and identity for most learners.Through avoiding the subject of religion, instructors may overlook a chance to instruct their class regarding remarkable element of the school society. Since teachers cannot instruct effectively without referring to religious subjects, they may find themselves in such situation where students are offended by their remarks.

When faced with this situation in the classroom where students are offended with the Christian remarks I make, I would stifle a discussion and go back to the  task at hand  Due to time limitation, I would ensure that I have a talk on the religious subject when I am sure that I have adequate time to have an elaborate and mature discussion.

Secondly, I would refuse to take a stance through adopting an unbiased standpoint in discussion of ethically contentious subjects. One most important cause for this is the position of influence and admiration we over and over again occupy within a classroom, even a classroom that has fashioned into an additionally helpful, democratic society. I would avoid taking a stance in an effort to protect learner s feelings. In addition, I would decline to take an instant stance. This will help students discover the ethical terrain on their own. In addition, I would see to ot that I comply with schools set guilding principles.