Abstract:

Originated in Britain and thrived in America, general education is an evident skeleton in the curriculum reform of American higher education. Having continuously adjusted the aim of cultivating talents to meet the demands of social economic growth and ideology development, general education and professional education intertwined and complemented each other in the curriculum reform of higher education. From the original liberal education to free electives, from distributional electives and general core curriculums to current various reforms, the exploration course of general education in American colleges and their curriculum reforms can all provide enlightenment on the advancing general education in China.

Key words: general education, professional education, curriculum reform