美国大学从“地方性”走向“世界一流”的发展历程(1876-1950)——从物理学科发展的视角

From Local to World-class:a History of US University Development (1876-1950), with Special Reference to the Development of Physics

学科是大学办学思想、制度最直接的承担者,大学之间的竞争实质是学科之间的竞争。本文主要从美国大学物理学科发展的瓶颈、学科机遇、制度创新、学科资源、学科新型组织等五个方面,论述了在现代物理学的发展过程中,美国大学物理学科从一个地方性的、处于世界科学边缘的学科,逐渐发展成世界一流学科的历史轨迹。该研究为我国创建世界一流大学提供借鉴。

This study argues that the competition among universities is in fact a competition among academic departments. The study examines the historical development from local-based to world-class physics departments in American universities from five aspects—bottleneck, opportunity, institutional innovation, resource and new form of academic organization. The study concludes with recommendations for world-class university building in China.