An Elementary Introduction Of The Education On Academy Of Classic Learning In Ming And Qing Dynasties

Academy of Classic Learning is known as an important educational institution in the Chinese history, which contributed greatly to the educational and academic development of Chinese ancient education.Restricted by political,economic,cultural and ideological conditions, Academy of classic learning used to be suppressed by the government in Ming and Qing Dynasties . Nevertheless, as an educational institution, it was not only inherited fully but further developed as well. The courses in Academy of Classic Learning involved traditional theories with Confucianism at the core, real learning and western culture. The development and evolution of teaching contents were under the influence of polities, academic ideology, the decline of the official education, commodity economy and some other factors.Laying special emphasis on the combination of moral cultivation and scholarly research, Academy of Classic Learning focuses on personality training. It encourages students to pursue knowledge independently without teacher's supervision; It enables students to raise social practice skills in the from of participating, learning good manners, attending academic exchanges and some other activities; It pays much attention to teaching and research through delivering speeches and free debating in order to put teaching and academic learning in a perfect harmony.Relying on the powerful state apparatus, the feudal rulers took high-handed measures to restrain, forbid, destroy and suppress the Academy of Classic Learning so as to smother the true meaning ofteaching. However, the academic freedom, which rooted deeply, was not strangled in the cradle, Instead, it was developed further. Therefore, The Academy of Classic Learning highlights knowledge-spreading and virtue-training, which is totally different from the official education for the purpose of the imperial examination.