Transformation from Local Universities to Application-oriented Universities in China: General Education Reform

After years of research and exploration, a high degree of consensus on the importance and necessity of general education has been reached in higher education fields and much important progress have been made in the theoretical research and practical implementation of general education. With the transformation of local universities to application-oriented universities in China, the university orientation and objective of talents cultivation has changed. Correspondingly, general education of these universities needs to reform. This study analyses the connotation and research background of general education and describes general education curriculum in application-oriented universities in the United States and China. Finally, this puts forward suggestions for the general education reform of China's application-oriented universities. It is also pointed out that general education courses should be reasonably set up, and the teaching methods of general education courses should be enriched, and the students' independent learning ability should be emphasized.