Geographic Literacy and Moral Formation among University Students

Abstract

This study extends analysis of geographic literacy further by examining the relationship of geographic knowledge with the primary goal of geographic educators–cultivation of cultural understanding and moral sensitivity for global citizenry. The main aim is to examine contributors to moral formation during the university years based on a survey data gathered from 323 university students using a place identification quiz, relevant demographic data and two measures of moral development. Multivariate techniques are used to assess the strength of relationships between levels of moral formation and a variety of variables. Geographic knowledge is found to be significant predictor of moral development. Significant relationships also exist between moral formation and more work hours among students, fewer hours of television watched per week, and higher university class level. Responses to the measures of moral development confirm that women perceive and interpret moral situations in fundamentally different ways than do most men. Additional data analysis identifies important interaction between gender and travel amount such that women show a greater average difference between travelers and those that have not travelled than do males.