Constructing “New Liberal Arts” in China’s Universities: Key Concepts and Approaches

Abstract

[EN] Inspired by the concept of “New Engineering” in China’s universities and considering the features and values of the humanities and social sciences, this paper discusses issues of constructing “New Liberal Arts” in China’s universities. Firstly it states the general characteristics of the humanities and social sciences that find their realization in “New Liberal Arts”, and the qualities of “New Liberal Arts” such as being strategically important, innovative, integrated and promising. Then it proposes that a cluster of first-rate undergraduate programs with Chinese characteristics and global competitiveness be set up. The paper finally suggests new ways in which “New Liberal Arts” are to be constructed, such as to recognize new research objects, new research paradigms and new social needs of the humanities and social sciences, to break through conventional thinking stereotypes, and to do well in five aspects -- concept reconstruction, structural reorganization, model regeneration, platform building and differential development. In so doing, the paper is hoped to provide useful considerations for universities elsewhere.