The Impact and Implications of the Morrill Act on Curriculum Reform in American Higher Education

Abstract

The enactment of the Morrill Act in 1862 broke the tradition of American higher education and opened up a path of higher education development belonging to the United States. Its promulgation changed the relationship between the U.S. federal government and higher education, gave commoners' children the opportunity to receive higher education, promoted the legalisation and structural diversification of U.S. higher education, and laid the foundation for the transformation of U.S. society. The Act has a profound impact on the curriculum reform of American higher education in terms of curriculum content, teaching materials, teaching methods and audience groups, from which we can draw the following inspirations: first, improve the laws and regulations of higher education and provide legal and financial protection; second, clarify the cultivation objectives and develop high-quality programmes; third, establish practice places and promote the combination of theory and practice; fourth, establish brand institutions and give full play to the service function of colleges and universities. functions.