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University Of The Ideal And The Ideal Of The University - Hutchins Higher Education Thought

Posted on:2001-08-11Degree:DoctorType:Dissertation
Country:ChinaCandidate:J Q LiFull Text:PDF
GTID:1117360002950934Subject:Foreign education
Abstract/Summary:PDF Full Text Request
The dissertation gives a full expositon of R. M. Hutchins?chief views of higher educational ideology, and the significance of his views in regard to the improvement of current higher education in our country. R. M. Hutchins, one of the most influential American educators of the 20th century,is the representative of perennialism one of the educational schools, and the president of an American university who ever wrote the greatest number of books on higher education. Hutchins was dissatisfied with pragmatism, utilitarianism and vocationa[ism prevalent in the America higher education, which he thought resulted in the frag- mentation of the curriculum and the deprivation of its unity, the disciplinary bonds and hindrance of interdisciplinary exchange. He came to a conclusion through analy- sis that due to the lack of funds, colleges were obliged to move towards the market and cooperate with business circles and the goverrnent, then they lost the standards and ideal of their own. He considered the temptation of money to be the underlying reason for the transformation of American colleges Hutchins was a resolute reformer, whose reform in Chicago University shook the then academic circles. Meanwhile he remained a devoted supporter of the aca- demic freedom and criticized severely the commercialization of education. In addition, he was the founder of the curriculum setup of great books in Amer- ica, and thinker of the reform of the higher educational curriculum of America. He did his utmost to oppose the split of knowledge from the discipline. The reform he pursued was primarily concerned with the integratation of college curriculum through Liberal Education and General Education. Hutchins adopted an attitude towards natural science that supported actively 損urely scientific reserch and opposed to the craftsmanlike, trivial,narrow, pragmat- ic technique? Under his leadership, Chicago University made the greatest contribu- tion to surmounting the key technique of making atomic bombs, hence, the atomic 4 energy era was ushered in. This was also the result from Hutchins?energetic advo- cacy of 揅re~ ic New Knowledge~ Value Tak~nts, Work L)iligeittty, he hased on Lx- periments -梩he spirit of Chicago University. Hutchins main views of higher educational ideology are as follows: First, col- leges should be lighthouses instead of mirrors, and should undertake bravely the sa- cred responsibility of guiding the society rather than cater to the simple needs of the public and drift blindly. Second, the educational objectives of colleges should aim for 揾umanity?instead of 搈anpower?,and foster learned, intelligent students, instead of the ones who only knew how to make money. Third, the universality of education should consist in its particularity,perennial in transience. The most useful education should attach greatest importance to theories, while vocationalim, eager for quick success and instant benefit,was harmful to college education. It was General Educa- tion that was most valuable and that colleges should take as their prime objective. General Education can foster students?intellectual virtues. 揟he perennial sub- jects? which had undergone trials from generations to generations and radiated truth,were what General Education primarily involved. Hutchins?ideology has a lasting influence upon America, even all over the world. 7ihe face; that his deoiogy has been handed down can be seen f...
Keywords/Search Tags:Htitchins, higher education, educational ideology.
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