A Study On The School Mottos' Value Orientation Of Chinese Key Universities

Targeted at 211 project universities, this search aims to guide the school mottos out of superstition. By developing the confidence of motto making, our research is expected to benefit schools from definite positioning with clear running idea. By making motto, further motto culture with characteristics also seems to be favorable.First, the research summarizes the current features of the school mottos' value orientation by statistics analysis. These values mainly advocate old sayings with seven aspects. These values can be seen in terms of the emphasis on "Pragmatics, truth", the courage of "creation, innovation", the promotion of "self-reliance, diligence", the highlight of "solidarity, mass identification", pursuit of "virtue, goodness" and the advocacy of "learnedness, cautiousness".Secondly, several issues can be pointed out with further analysis. In brief, similar styles without specific characteristics, the pursuit of fashion, and the superficial connotation are four main problems. Based on the above-listed issues, our research goes further into three aspects: the influence from traditional culture, the limitation due to historical and time factors as well as the inadequate consideration of motto makers. Our systematical analysis puts forward the significance of figuring out the topic issue.Next, our study conducted some comparisons of mottos between Chinese key universities and western ones. Accordingly, data illustrates that both types of universities orientate in the "Pragmatics and truth". Yet the main differences show two aspects: the Chinese ethics VS western religions and Chinese collectivism VS western liberalism. Heuristically to say, the school motto value orientation is deemed to combine science and people, inheritance and creation. Also specialized characteristic are expected. At last, six principles of motto making are put forward: 1. it must be attached to the nature and aim of higher education. 2. It must be linked with school tradition and previous experience. 3 it must reflect the school position and its goal. 4. It must have characteristics. 5. It must insist on the correspondence with current situation. 6, it must be featured with significant connotation. Additionally, the motto making strategies and method are mentioned.