Henry Philip Tappan's Thoughts Of University Education

In the mid-19th century, Tappan is a very important thinker and pioneer of the reformation of American higher education. After analyzing the types of education, reviewing the history of higher education, and studying the Universities of European, he pointed out the characters and shortcomings of the American colleges, warned people that the colleges of United States were the only facsimiles of Institutes of the British Universities. Learning from the universities model of Germany, he hoped that the United States Universities could transform into the institutions in which it researches profound knowledge and establishes the ideal universities with the United States characteristics eventually. This paper aims to present a comprehensive picture of Tappan's thoughts and practice about university education, and attempts to completely show up this considerably influential educator in American higher education history.The paper is divided into four parts.The first part introduces Tappan's experiences. Dating from the study at his early years in the United College and the Auburn College to the career life in the City University of New York, the private woman schools and the University of Michigan, he went forward towards his ideal university step by step.The second part discusses the Tappan's thoughts of university education. It refers to his interpretation to educational purposes and types of the University, the general investigation to university, the analyses to the problems of the United States Institutes and the advices to the ideal of American University.The third part talks about Tappan's management in the University of Michigan. The principal performed a series of reformation. Such as: the repeal of outdated hostel system, the improvement of school facilities, and the construction of the Department of branches and the contingent of teachers, and the implementation of the new system and measures of students' community management and activities.The last part gives the summary appraisement of Tappan's thoughts of university education in historical and practical significance.