Schools And The Reconstruction Of Social Order

George S. Counts is not only a famous educator of the United States in 1930s, but also a actively advocate of the Reconstructive education of American. His educational thought focused on the concepts of American society's Reconstructive education in 1930s. So this thesis made the problem of the schools and reconstruction of social order be theme to explore the Counts Reconstructive educational thought.The first part: this section mainly introduces the reason and the significance of the selected topic, and combs the references of both domestic and foreign scholars on Counts Reconstructive educational thought. I also introduce the primary coverage and the research methods of this thesis.The second part: this chapter mainly amplifies the historical background and life experiences of Counts. Counts lived in the time when the economic crisis of United States broke and the totalitarianism of Western world revived. Therefore, when he was a student, Counts majored in education and minored in sociology. He began to research education from the sociological view, and sprouted the Reconstructive educational thought. After worked, Counts made the further research on American society and education, and proposed Reconstructive educational idea and put this idea into practice through participation in political activities.The third part: this share described the foundation of Counts'Reconstructive Educational Thought. The formation of Counts'idea was firstly based on the analysis of American society. At that time, he believes that there were two basic conditions in American society: First, the democratic tradition may be replaced by totalitarianism;Second, the industrial and technological society appeared. Therefore, the U.S. needed to form a synthesis of democratic and industry, and saw it as the basis to build a new social order. Secondly, his idea based on the inheritance and development John Dewey's ideas of democratic ideals and that school is society. Under the influence of Dewey, Counts thought democracy is not only a political expression, but also a social form, and education can promote a democratic society. Counts also believed that the school is an agency of society, and it is the most important tool to change society. Finally, his idea based on criticizing Progressive Education .Counts considered that the Progressive Education was weak and does not have the purpose. It can not undertake the task of building the new social order, so the American education needed to change direction, which is less concerned with personal growth, but more attention to social change.The fourth part is a central part of this thesis, including the relationship between the social, education and school; the schools role in the transformation of society; the functions of curriculum in the transformation of society, the teacher's responsibility in the transformation of society. On the basis of these four aspects, I analysis Counts'Reconstructive Educational Thought. First, the society is the foundation of education, and education is a powerful force to society, and this interaction was embodied through the school. Second, schools should change society and build a new social order through the education of the industrial economy and democratic politics to students. Third, in order to transform society, schools must consider the curriculum. The courses Counts envisaged should play the role of the social assimilation and social criticism. And the social science courses are able to play out this dual role. Fourth, to be the guardians of children, the bearers of culture, teachers have the inescapable responsibility in the transformation of society. So the teachers must strive for the power to safeguard the public interest, must cultivate the spirit of social criticism of students and encourage them to transform society, must get out of school and participate in political life. Only in this way, the teachers can shoulder the important task of building the social order.The fifth part: the last part describes the influence of Counts'Reconstructive Educational Thought and its enlightenment to our today education impact of education. Counts'Reconstructive Educational Thought prompted more attention to social issues, and awakened the enthusiasm of some teachers to change the society. The purpose of his ideas is very grand, but the means are a bit weak. However, he was sensitive aware of the close relationship between the school and society, and stressed that teachers should have the spirit of social responsibility and social criticism. These ideas have undoubtedly practical significance to our present education.