A Preliminary Study On Frank H.T. Rhodes' Thoughts And Practice Of Higher Education

The 1970s of America's higher education faced a lot of opportunities and challenges. It was in this situation that Frank H.T. Rhodes took the post of Cornell's president. His influence on Cornell, America, even the whole world's education was far-reaching. He set a model for the world's higher education cause..Basing on exhaustive data, in light of Frank H.T. Rhodes'thinking over higher education, combining with his education practice, this thesis tries to explore his thoughts from various aspects and angles. The author hopes to provide some references and experiences to China's higher education development by analyzing Rhodes'higher education thoughts.This thesis is composed of four parts. The first part briefs the background at that time and Frank H.T. Rhodes'brief introduction, mainly including the vogue of Student Consumerism, the financial crisis caused by economic depression, the increasing division of curriculum in an era of information, and his individual introduction, such as his school years as a student, his working experience, his posts and honors, and his research works.The second part gives a detailed analysis of Rhodes'higher education thoughts and practice which are mainly shown in the following aspects: the concept of American universities, the construction of curriculum, the raising of funds, the effective administration. His concept of American universities includes his comments on the rising of America's universities, the appraisal of today's American universities and the prospects for the future American universities. Of the construction of curriculum, he focuses on the re-construction of the undergraduate courses, paying great attention on teaching and scientific research. The raising of funds includes the analysis of the causes of funds raising, the intention and measures of funds raising. The effective administration aspect includes the board of trustees'administration and the president's administration.The third part summarizes character and impact of Rhodes'higher education thoughts. character mainly includes pluralism, practicability and prediction. impact includes positive meaning and historical limit.The forth part mainly inquires into the significance of Rhodes'education thoughts and practice which includes: the emphasis on the re-construction of curriculum and the promotion of students'qualities, the emphasis on teaching work and teaching effects, the emphasis on the value of research and the promotion of research level, the emphasis of funds raising and promotion of the university development, the emphasis of effective administration and reinforcement of the leadership of the university.