In order to fully incorporate Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era into the curriculum and make it a way of thinking, on the afternoon of September 15, 2021, the School of Marxism Studies of Renmin University of China held a course preparation meeting in the fall semester of the 2021-2022 academic year to upgrade the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses for undergraduates, masters and doctors. Qin Xuan, chief expert of the key teaching material for the research and construction project of central Marxism theory Introduction to Mao Zedong Thought and the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics (2021 edition), and dean of the Institute of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, Renmin University of China, served as the keynote speaker. Professor Wang Yi, secretary of the Party Committee and deputy dean of the School of Marxism Studies, professor Tao Wenzhao, professor Song Xueqin, and about 30 teachers of the School participated in the meeting. The course preparation meeting was presided over by professor Song Youwen of the School of Marxism Studies.

Professor Qin Xuan delivered a keynote speech under the title of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era spiraling upward in the teaching of ideological and political theory courses for undergraduates, masters and doctors, and provided guidance from three aspects: introduction to the revised textbook of the 2021 edition, teaching suggestion and difficulties in course teaching. Professor Qin pointed out that the textbook strives for accuracy in revision and the adjustment of content and structure, especially the new development of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era since 2018. He mentioned that at present, there are some difficulties in the teaching of ideological and political theory courses, especially the differences in the academic foundation, professional attributes, and growth background of students as the teaching objects. To a certain extent, these have hindered the upgrading of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese characteristics for a New Era in the teaching of ideological and political theory courses for undergraduates, masters and doctors. In this regard, he put forward several suggestions: First, upgrade the ideological and political theory courses for undergraduates, masters and doctors; the teaching of undergraduate ideological and political theory courses should focus on the reason for taking the courses to ensure that undergraduates understand philosophical truths behind the thoughts. For graduate students, teachers should guide them to conduct theoretical analysis from the academic level in response to key and difficult problems in theory, major practical problems in practice, and frontier issues in future development. Second, teaching should reflect real practices. Teachers should analyze the advantages of China’s system, culture and values based on real practical cases reflecting the characteristics of the times. Third, follow the law of teaching. In the teaching process, teachers should fully understand the personality characteristics of students, not only focus on teaching, but also consider students’ receptive psychology and characteristics. Finally, Professor Qin said that teachers still face challenges in course teaching, such as the overall relationship of the five major achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context, the theme of centenary endeavor of the Communist Party of China, the positioning and understanding of “big changes unseen in a century”, the theoretical original contributions of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, the relationship between the great founding spirit of the Party, the Red Boat spirit and a long line of inspiring principles of the Communist Party of China. Teachers should adhere to the principle of combining teaching and research, deeply think and work on difficult problems in the teaching process, make research and teaching supplement each other, so as to constantly improve the ideological and theoretical level of the courses and make the courses closer to students and more focused.

The course preparation meeting lasted for three hours, and the teachers present launched a heated discussion in a harmonious atmosphere. The teachers believed that it was the right time and necessary to hold the meeting. From the perspective of textbook analysis, it can help teachers fully grasp the internal theoretical logic of the textbook and realize the conversion from textbook system to teaching system. In terms of teaching suggestions, it pinpointed the specific methods to upgrade the teaching of ideological and political theory courses for undergraduates, masters and doctors, realizing the improvement of teaching methodology. As far as the analysis of difficult problems is concerned, it guided teachers to think deeply about the key and difficult problems in the teaching of ideological and political theory courses, and realize the integration of teaching and research.

The teachers at the meeting expressed that professor Qin Xuan’s report was rich in content, clear in logic, and thorough in explanation. It provided directional guidance for them to grasp teaching material system, improve teaching methods, and build competence. Moreover, it was of enlightening significance for the School of Marxism Studies to promote the integrated construction of ideological and political theory courses for undergraduates, masters and doctors, and improve the teaching effect of ideological and political theory courses.

In the meeting, teachers from different teaching and research departments discussed how to implement the guiding principles of President Xi’s speech on July 1, 2021 and integrate with the ideological and political theory courses, how to understand adapting the basic tenets of Marxism to China’s realities and its traditional culture, how to grasp the theoretical value of the achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context that is in the same line as Marxism-Leninism and keeps up with the times, and how to deal with the relationship between political logic and academic logic of ideological and political theory teaching and other issues. Participants conducted in-depth exchanges on teaching experience, teaching confusion, and theoretical thinking. It is reported that a series of course preparation meetings will be carried out in the form of special seminars, focusing on specific topics to deepen the teaching reform and innovation of ideological and political theory courses.