A Study Of Coherence In General Edcucation In U.S.

General Education is an essential part of higher education. In American, general education has widely been considered the continuing theme in the undergraduate program. General education is that part of a student's whole education which looks first of all to his life as a responsible humanbeing and citizen, besides, it offers a variety of courses and activites to develop students'knowledge and skills which are needed in morden civil society. The functions of general education have three aspects: firstly, educating"the whole people"for students,secondly, reflecting the inner spirit of university,thirdly, educating responsible and effective citizens for country. Although the reforms in general education have been existed, they are all regarded as failure.Fragementation and lack of coherence are considered as focus in the reforms of general education. Lacking of coherence is the primary reson for changing in the general education program. Therefore, creating coherence is a focus in the reform of general education.This paper examines the coherence in general education in U.S. Specifically, it clarifies the definition of coherence; it explores the basic ideas of coherence in general education; it investigates the practical strategies of coherent general education; it introduces a case study of"Harvard General Education Program"in 21th century in order to inquiry the ideals and practical strategies of coherent general education in Harvad University; it draws a conclusion to reveal the characteristics of coherent general education finally.There are mainly four chapters to this paper:Chapter one:"Historical development, current situation and problems of general education in Amercian universities". This part reviews four periods of historical development of general education in Amercian universities, and reveals the current situation of general education, especially points out the specific problems of the current general education in Amercian universityies—coherence.Chapter two:"Basic concept and practical strategies of coherence in general education in Amercian universities". This part firstly explores the concept and practical strategies of coherence. Secondly, this part introduces practical strategies of coherence in general education in Amercian universities.Chapter three:"A case study of coherence in general education in U.S.". This part introduces the general situations of Harvard University firstly, particularly the general education, and then explores the basic concept of coherence in general education. Based on that, this part investigates the implementation of coherence in the new refom of general education. Finally, this part concludes that specific embodiments of coherence in this new reform of general education at Harvard University.Chapter four:"Some ideals of coherence in general education in U.S."This part firstly clarifies the definition of coherence.Then this part explains the necessities and possibilities of achievement in coherence. Finally, this part discusses the potential problems of accomplishment in coherence of general education .