批判性思维、多学科视野与社区服务－谈美国大学生素质教育的核心理念

美国高校经常把启蒙思想、探究真理视作自己的使命，把培养学生的[批判性思维]作为达成这一使命的重要方法，批判性思维能力的培养因而成为各高校尤其是研究型大学课程设计围绕的核心；多学科视野则保证学生的批判性思维有据可依、更为有效、更有创意，也更加深刻；社区服务给学生提供了认识社会、发现社会的机会，使他们有了使命感，社区服务经验影响甚至会改变他们的人生志向，使其将来能更好地服务于社会。

Universities in the United States often view enlightenment and exploration of truth as their missions， the cultivation of critical thinking as a major way to achieve those missions， therefore the cultivation of critical thinking ability of students is placed at the core of curriculum development by many universities， especially the research-oriented universities. Multidisciplinary approach is closely related to critical thinking and guarantees the reliability of critical thinking and makes it more efficient and creative. Social or community service provides a chance for students to know and to discover the societies and confers upon them the sense of responsibility. In some cases， experiences of social service can change students’ life goals and make them better citizens.