The Research On Societies In Soochow University(1901-1952)

The societies in Soochow University were established soon after the university was founded in 1901, which existed for more than 50 years. The societies in Soochow University had experienced five stages: emergence and development(1901-1921), frustration and recovery(1922-1927), revival and prosperity(1928-1937),change and continuity(1938-1945), reconstruction and disappearance(1946-1952). With the changing social environment, the societies in Soochow University had great changes in number, type, property, structure and content. The initial types of society were common, such as debate and religion, and then they become much more professional and secular, such as academy and fellowship. Soochow University’s initial attitude to society was non-interventional, later the university took ways to guide and control the societies.There are many types of society in Soochow University, which can be mainly divided into six types: literature and art, sports, academy, social, religion, autonomy. Because of the certain social condition, the societies in Soochow University showed many characters, such as independence, diversity and teachers’ participating in the activities of society. Independence was the result of students’ self-management consciousness, which is influenced by the collision between Chinese and western culture and May 4th Movement in 1919. Self-organization, orderly-management, and activities without intervention were the obvious characters of independence. Diversity was the result of Soochow University’s school-running concept, such as pay equal attention to Chinese and western culture, general education, freedom and democracy. Large number and various types were the main characters of diversity. With the pushing of Christian education concept, rules of strengthening student-management, many teachers participated in the activities of society. They played the role of guidance and consultant. Because of their outstanding performance, they won the praise of the students.The societies in Soochow University were the main platform of building second-classroom, training students’ social responsibility, building campus culture, promoting the cultivation of talents. So they played a positive role in Soochow University’s educational experience. At the same time, the societies in Soochow University had made remarkable achievements in modern Chinese university sports, modern Chinese drama and campus academic journal editor. The societies in Soochow University became the pioneer of university society in modern China, which also showed the influence and achievement in the phylogeny of university society in modern China.History illuminates the future. The societies in Soochow University give us lots of beneficial enlightenment, such as the identity to home school, the patriotism, society management and construction.