A review and analysis of the Work-study movement : China's pre-revolutionary period

Bibliography: pages [78]-79.The Work-Study Movement in France was an important event in Chinese modern history and one of the contributions to China’s May Fourth Movement of 1919. It was a mass movement which has profound historical significance. The movement underwent an initial surge, and then conflicts and struggles; it was an epic written by young Chinese students, in which workers and revolutionary intellectuals played major roles. The Work-Study Movement was an attempt at reducing the distinction between "work with brain" and "work with brawn," "introducing Western civilization into China" and a practice of overseas-Chinese workers’ education. The movement was significant in the establishment of the Communist Party of China and an excellent model for Chinese students studying abroad. The Work-Study Movement produced a number of important socialist leaders, revolutionary cadres and leading scientists. However, there is very little research on this movement in China even now. This thesis is to illustrate and analyze the history of the movement, make comparisons with current efforts and discuss the implications for research and practice.M.S. Ed. (Master of Science in Education