Transcending the Nature of Refinement: The Policy Development on Liberal Arts Education in China

CITATION

Jiang, Y.G. and Guo, H. (2017) Transcending the Nature of Refinement: The Policy Development on Liberal Arts Education in China, Chinese Education & Society, 50(3), 268-283

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ABSTRACT
Liberal arts education is based on a philosophy that uses an interdisciplinary curriculum to
cultivate critical thinking, creativity, moral reasoning, analytical skills, and a sense of social
responsibility. As China continues to invest in higher education, faculty, administrators and policy
makers are aware that a narrow focus on professional and scientific training is insufficient to enable
students to meet today’s global needs and challenges. Through qualitative and quantitative research
and document analysis, this article examines Chinese policy development and transformation
regarding higher education and liberal arts education in general, and the current state of liberal arts
education in three universities in Shanghai in particular.


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