The Configuration And Development Of Harvard Spirit

Newetowne College was built in 1636 in the North American Continent. From then on, Newetowne College becomes to a world-famous university which is called Harvard University. The changes are so enormous that nobody can ignore any of these changes. How does Harvard become eminent like this? Someone even said that Harvard is the number one in the world. Is it exaggerated? Judged by the historical reason, Oxford University, Cambridge University and Paris University all have longer history than her. We can conclude that the outer environment doesn't support her to be the best university in the world. Then how can she achieve the success like this?There is no doubt that the reasons why Harvard became so excellent are complex. It should comprise many facts. But among these facts, the Harvard Spirit must act an important role. Thanks to the Harvard Spirit so that the university can have a certain character. Thanks to the Harvard Spirit so that we can pick out the differences between Harvard and others. We can say that the Harvard Spirit is the soul of this university.What is the Harvard Spirit? The Harvard Spirit is a spirit which has been shaped during the development of the university. It reflects the ideas on how to manage this university. This idea belongs to all the people here. It developed through all the people's practice. It is a sense which relates to the whole group. Meanwhile it relates to the social development. From 1636 till now, the Harvard Spirit has always coordinated with the developments of the society. For this reason, the Harvard Spirit becomes complex. It becomes a complicated coalition. It is made up of innovative spirit, conservative consciousness, development spirit, competitive spirit, struggle thought and now it is going to mix entrepreneurial spirit into it. All the changes make Harvard in a class by herself.In this thesis, the writer tries to use the materialism method and by using many documents to investigate the ways that the Harvard Spirit evolved; to discuss the role it plays, and by using other universities' reference to discuss the recent reform there.The whole Thesis is mainly built up by 6 parts:Chapter one is a prolegomenon.This chapter mainly discussed what the university spirit is. And by using the way that Max·Webber once used to show what the Harvard Spirit is.Chapter two is the Harvard Spirit during the college's period (1636-1869):In this chapter the writer mainly discussed the spirit development. Because of the background of the Harvard builders,governors and the teachers, Harvard was deeply affected by England. They first organized Harvard by the way which the England organized Oxford and Cambridge. When the US was founded, Harvard changed. In this period the Harvard Spirit was made up of innovation,preservation,opening-up,egoism,revolution and confidence.Chapter three is the Harvard Spirit during the national university's period (1869-1909):It was the most important period in these 40 years for Harvard. In theses 40 years, Harvard became a national university. Because of this kind of conversion, the Harvard Spirit developed. Pragmatism,the struggle realizes and freedom idea became parts of it.Chapter four is to stride forward world-class university's period (1909-1953):Harvard reformed when the new president took the office. The reform highlighted the Elite's thought. In this period, Harvard began to stride forward world-class university. It also made the Harvard Spirit became complex. Criticize consciousness and Prejudice thought blended into the Harvard Spirit.Chapter five is the world-class university's period (1953-until now):When the World War II ended, the US became the powerful leader and Harvard also became the World -Class University. It formed some new kinds of senses, such as the leader's consciousness and sense of participation. All the universities competed fiercely. In order to be the best, Harvard tried to make the entrepreneurship to reform it.