哥伦比亚大学师范学院时期的郭秉文——社会生活史的视角

Guo Bingwen's Study Experiences at Teachers College of Columbia University:A Social Life History Perspective

从社会生活史角度,以哥伦比亚大学师范学院第一位中国博士学位获得者、郭秉文的原始档案及相关研究为史料,对其在师范学院学习期间(1911—1914)进行历史探究。结果发现:(一)郭秉文选择师范学院的动机出自"教育改革的力量",其学业成绩为中等略偏下,修业期限低于其后中国学生(博士)平均值;(二)郭秉文硕士、博士学位论文主题均为中国教育,博士论文选题教育史与其时师范学院整体博士论文选题相关,旨趣希望为英语语系人们介绍繁复的、不同时代中国教育制度的演进;(三)郭秉文在师范学院期间参与了大量社团活动,其娴熟的人际交往能力得到广泛认可,留美中国学生总会第一任主席及Phi Beta Kappa成员等均为明确表征,为其在留美中国学生群体中积累了深广人脉。该研究通过大量史料分析,为学界之前"师范学院对郭秉文一生事业影响巨大"结论找到了实证,修正并补充了郭秉文研究及师范学院中国学生群体研究的学源谱系。

Based on the original records and some relevant studies, China＇s first doctoral student at the Teachers College of Columbia University, Guo Bingwen＇ s study experiences （1911-1914） were studied through a social history perspective. The result shows that： （1） Motivation for Guo to choose Teachers College originated from his belief in ＂the power of educational reform＂. The time he spent in achieving his degree below the average of Chinese students, though his academic performance was slightly below aver- age; （2） Guo chose issues in Chinese education as both his masters＇ thesis and doctoral dissertation topics. His selection of education history as the topic of his doctoral dissertation was relevant to the topic selection for doctoral thesis in the College as a whole, in the hope of introducing the complicated evolution of educa- tion system in various eras in China to the English-speaking world~ and （3） Guo participated in lots of student community activities during the time at Teachers College. His interpersonal skills were widely rec- ognized and he built deep and wide network within the Chinese students. This study provides evidence for the conclusion that ＂the experience at Teachers College had lifelong impact on Guo Bingwen＇s career＂. In addition, the research of Guo and the lineage for Chinese student groups at Teachers College were revised and supplemented.