On Francis Wayland's Higher Education Thoughts And Practices

Wayland's higher education thoughts and practices were prominent representative of American higher education reform and innovation in the first half of the 19 th century.His education reform practices at Brown University also left an indelible mark in the history,which not only had an important impact at that time,but also provided references for the subsequent reform of higher education and played so significant role of inheritance that it has been written into the history of American higher education development.This thesis will make discussions on Wayland's higher education thoughts and practices.The first part is an introduction that illustrates the research reasons and the significance of the topic,and analyzes the relevant research results at home and abroad,then presents the main research contents,research methods,innovations and shortcomings respectively.The principal part of the thesis introduces Wayland's life experiences and main writings,and the historical background and theoretical origins of his higher education thoughts and practices.Wayland's higher education thoughts are mainly explained from the perspectives of the purpose and mission of higher education,university courses,moral education,teaching process and methods as well as management.The thesis explores his higher education reform practices focusing on school management and teaching,visiting Europe,and especially the reform of “New System” led by him.On the basis of mentioned above,the main characteristics of Wayland's higher education thoughts and practices are refined and summarized,and its historical contributions and limitations are analyzed.Finally,the thesis briefly concludes some important enlightenments that Willard's higher education thoughts and practices bring us.