Study On Critical Thinking Training In American Research Universities

Since 1970s,the critical thinking movement in America and the education reform in 1980s have emphasized the importance of critical thinking which could improve the quality of talents and social development.Then American research universities have implemented the cultivation of critical thinking,establish the idea and goal of critical thinking,set critical thinking courses,implement critical thinking instruction,and so on.Critical thinking education is of great significance to the cultivation of innovative talents.In recent years,colleges and universities in our country have always attached importance to the cultivation of innovative talents.The cultivation of critical thinking in American research universities can cultivate students' critical thinking,and promote the development of innovative talents and sustainable development of research universities.Therefore,based on the methods such as literature analysis,case analysis and comparative analysis,this paper mainly analyze the implementation of critical thinking education in American research universities,explores characteristics and the experience,and hope to offer some benefits for colleges and universities in our country.Based on the purpose of this study,this paper aims to resolve the following questions:firstly,what are the theoretical bases and policy foundations about critical thinking in America?Secondly,what are the implementing subjects,bases and core elements of critical thinking education in American research universities?Thirdly,what are the characteristics and experience of critical thinking education in American research universities,based on the two cases of two famous research universities?Fourthly,what are the problems of critical thinking in our countries' universities?What are the causes of the problem?What can we learn from the critical thinking education experience in American research universities?In this paper,the main contents include six parts:The first part is to introduce the background and significance of this study,and define some terms such as "critic","thinking" and "critical thinking".At the same time,combined with domestic and foreign research findings about critical thinking,analyze current status of critical thinking.Finally,this part will point out the main research contents,ideas and methods of this study.The second part is the first chapter.Firstly,this part will analyze the theoretical bases in the cultivation of critical thinking.Secondly,analyze the relevant policy documents,reports relating to critical thinking since the critical thinking movement and provide foundations for this study.The third part is the second chapter.This chapter will review the history of the development of critical thinking in the United States,and divides it into the following three stages:"Germination stage","Initial development stage" and "Further development stage".Secondly,this chapter will analyze the implementation of critical thinking education in American research universities.The fourth part is the third chapter.This chapter will analyze the implementation in the cultivation of critical thinking in University of Pennsylvania and University of California,Los Angeles.The fifth part is the fourth chapter.This chapter will mainly explore the characteristics and experience of the cultivation of critical thinking in American research universities.The sixth part is the fifth chapter,which is also the last chapter.Firstly,this chapter will explore the problems in the development of critical thinking in our countries' universities,and analyze the causes.Secondly,considering the five aspects of the policies,ideas and objectives,curriculum and instruction,class environment,and teachers,poses some implications and suggestions for our countries' universities.