A Comparative Study Of General Courses Between Harvard And Peking University

This thesis, by comparing and analyzing the design of core curriculum in Harvard University as well as of the liberal optional courses in Peking University, tries to figure out some valuable experience which the colleges and university in our country can use for reference especially on this aspect.This thesis carries on the research mainly to the basis of document study and comparison, because most of the available materials are recorded in the documents which should be profoundly analyzed in order to achieve more fruitful and reliable results.In western countries, especially in America, some universities such as Harvard has carried out general education for years and accumulated rich experience. The thesis takes the core curriculum in Harvard, the typical type of general education as its subject. Firstly, the developmental history of undergraduate core curriculum in Harvard is traced back.; Secondly, I provide the basis of theory of core curriculum ;Then, the seven main fields of 2005-2006 in this university are introduced in details; Finally, I sum up its feature and production. From General Education in a Free Society in 1945 to Harvard Report on the Core Curriculum, until Harvard 2005-2006 Core Curriculum Catalogue, Harvard Core Curriculum has developed from three fields to seven fields. Based on the continuous development and improvement during the sixty years, Harvard Core Curriculum has achieved its mature stage.This thesis had a study on the far-reaching reform measures carried out by Cai Yuan pei when he was the president of Peking University. These measures, to some extent had begun to perform"general education". Since 1950s we just followed the pre-soviet professionalized education pattern, which turned out to be unsuitable to the demands of social economic development since reform and open door. Therefore, in September, 2000, Peking University formally promoted general optional courses which are designed according to the practical situation of Peking University combined with Harvard Core Curriculum system, and must be taken by students. I sort out liberal optional courses about definition,standard,feature and so on.By comparing and analyzing core curriculum and liberal optional courses, I put in order their communication and opposition. And then I put forward some suggestions on how to design general courses in colleges and universities. Firstly, the design requires continuous reforms and innovations. Secondly, we should make clear the goals of course and establish a well-watched management system. At last, the number of courses on humanities should be increased.