A Study Of David Jordan's Higher Education Thought

David Starr Jordan(1851-1931)is a famous reformer and practitioner of higher education,the president of Indianna University,the first president of Stanford University.Jordan not only made outstanding contributions to this two universities,but also influenced the development of American higher education.This thesis takes Jordan's higher education thought as the object of the study,and discusses the background,main content and influence of Jordan's higher education thought.The first part of the thesis introduces Jordan's life,the background and philosophical basis of his higher education thought.Jordan was born in Gainesville,New York,USA.He graduated from Cornell University.He served as president of Indiana University in 1885 and was invited to become the first president of Stanford University in 1891."Naturalist","teacher" and "minor prophet of democracy" were the portrayal of Jordan's life.The emergence and formation of Jordan's higher education thought was accompanied by the advancement of American industrialization,the acceleration of urbanization,the continuous progress of science and the continuous development of higher education.It was also deeply influenced by pragmatism philosophy,scientific education and the idea of research universities.The second part elaborates the main content of Jordan's higher education thought,and studies it from five aspects: the value of higher education,the characteristics of modern universities,university curriculum,teacher-student management and women's higher education.From the value of higher education,Jordan believed that the value of higher education to individuals lies in broadening their personal vision,setting up lofty ideals and adapting to real life,the value of higher education to society lies incultivating wise and patriotic citizens,establishing democratic government and promoting social progress.In terms of the characteristics of modern universities,Jordan believed that traditional colleges will be replaced by modern universities,which have three functions of disseminating culture,vocational training and scientific research,and universities should have their own "personality".In terms of university curriculum,Jordan divided the curriculum history of American universities into three stages: replication stage,"patchwork" stage and elective stage.He emphasized that in the elective stage,the types of courses should be increased,the courses should be linked with real life,the scientific research should be emphasized,and the elective system should be implemented according to specific conditions.In terms of teacher management,Jordan focused on the qualifications of teachers,the power of teachers to participate in school affairs and the responsibilities of teachers' research;In student management,Jordan focused on admission standards,tuition and fees,and student associations.In women's higher education,Jordan believed that the value of women's higher education lies in the formation of a civilized family and the promotion of social progress.He supported coeducation,emphasised that the method of women's higher education is to make men and women communicate equally in teaching and life,make courses equally in breadth and depth,and different in concent.The third part elaborates the evaluation of Jordan's higher education thought.Jordan's higher education thought promoted the transformation of Indiana University,laid the foundation for the development of Stanford University.Jordan's higher education thought has both progressiveness and limitations.