Research On "Individual Major" Construction In American Research Universities

The “Individual major” is a type of major that is constructed and planned by the students themselves,integrating multidisciplinary curricula and knowledge content.The literature and case studies show that American research universities are at the forefront of interdisciplinary talent development and the practice of meeting students needs,and have established a relatively comprehensive system of major construction and management,empowering students with the right to set majors and allowing them to propose their own study plans and course combinations to form “Individual major”.The faculty and school provide guidance and assistance to ensure the scientific and complete design of majors.By drawing on the experience of American research universities in building “Individual major”,we can provide perspectives and help to reform higher education teaching and learning,cultivate interdisciplinary talents,and innovate student development in China.This paper uses literature research,comparative research,and case studies to study the development of “Individual major” at research universities in the United States.Based on the analysis of the background and history of the development of “Individual major” and the values underlying them,this paper summarizes the requirements for the construction of “Individual major” and the application procedures for students.The study of the curriculum and teaching construction of “Individual major”,the analysis of the school management system and educational resources in the construction of “Individual major”,and the analysis of the guarantee of “Individual major”.In addition,we also analyze the management system and educational resources of the school in the construction of “Individual major”,explore its construction effectiveness and characteristics,and compare it with the development of“Individual major” in China,and make suggestions and inspirations from the aspects of concept,system and resource guarantee,including breaking through the limitations of professional construction and understanding the value concept of “Individual major”.The suggestions and inspirations include breaking through the limitations of professional construction and understanding the value concept of “Individual major”;improving the mechanism of professional construction and implementing the system of “Individual major”;mobilizing students enthusiasm and promoting the construction of majors;enriching educational resources and strengthening the guarantee of resources for the construction of “Individual major”;to promote the linkage of multiple subjects to provide benefits for the construction and improvement of “Individual major” in Chinas universities.