Steadily Advancing the Integrated Construction of Ideological and Political Courses to Deepen and Solidify Progress

The integrated construction of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools is a closely linked chain, an interactive and indivisible whole. Coordinating the integrated construction of ideological and political courses across these levels is a systematic project that makes an overall deployment of ideological and political courses at different stages from the perspectives of scholarly theory, content, and culture. In May 2024, General Secretary Xi Jinping issued an important directive on the construction of ideological and political courses in schools, emphasizing: “Build a curriculum and textbook system with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era as its core content, and deeply advance the integrated construction of ideological and political education in universities, middle schools, and primary schools.” [1]1 Xi Jinping, “Important Directive on the Construction of Ideological and Political Courses in Schools,” May 2024. Deeply studying and comprehending the spirit of General Secretary Xi Jinping’s important directive on the construction of ideological and political courses in schools, and steadily advancing the integrated construction of ideological and political courses to deepen and solidify progress, is a key step in continuously opening up new prospects for ideological and political education in the New Era and cultivating more new-era individuals who reassure the Party, are patriotic and dedicated, and bear the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation.

大中小学思政课一体化建设是一条紧密联系的链条，是一个相互作用、不可分割的整体，统筹大中小学思政课一体化建设是从学理上、内容上、文化上对不同学段的思政课进行总体部署的系统性工程。2024年5月，习近平总书记对学校思政课建设作出重要指示强调，“构建以新时代中国特色社会主义思想为核心内容的课程教材体系，深入推进大中小学思想政治教育一体化建设。”深入学习领会习近平总书记对学校思政课建设作出的重要指示精神，持续推进思政课一体化建设走深走实，是不断开创新时代思政教育新局面，培养更多让党放心、爱国奉献、担当民族复兴重任的时代新人的关键一步。

Constructing an Integrated System of Ideological and Political Courses through Profound Scholarly Theory

在精深学理中构建思政课一体化体系

The scholarly theory of ideological and political education constitutes the principles and laws of ideological and political education work. Studying Marxist theory from the perspective of scholarly theory and rationally arranging it within the learning process of young students can make ideological and political education work in the New Era achieve twice the result with half the effort. Over a hundred years ago, Comrade Li Dazhao stated in *My Marxist View*: “Marx’s books are voluminous, and his scholarly theory is profound and obscure.” [2]2 Li Dazhao (1889–1927) was a co-founder of the Communist Party of China and a leading intellectual in the New Culture Movement. *My Marxist View* (1919) was one of the first systematic introductions of Marxism in China. Extracting the essentials and compiling the basic principles of Marxism, combined with the Party’s innovative theories and the great practices of the New Era, into courses is an important responsibility for ideological and political education workers in the New Era.

思想政治教育的学理，是思想政治教育工作的法则和原理。从学理上着手研究马克思主义理论，将之合理安排在青少年学子的学习进程中，方能使新时代的思想政治教育工作事半功倍。一百多年前，李大钊先生在《我的马克思主义观》中说道：“马克思的书，卷帙浩繁，学理深晦。”而提纲挈领，把马克思主义基本原理结合党的创新理论和新时代的伟大实践编列成课，则是新时代思想政治教育工作者们的重要责任。

Advance the pursuit of scholarly theory through truth. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out in the report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC: “Adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times is a process of pursuing truth, revealing truth, and practicing truth.” [3]3 Xi Jinping, “Hold High the Great Banner of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics and Strive in Unity to Build a Modern Socialist Country in All Respects,” report to the 20th National Congress of the CPC, October 2022. In the teaching and research of ideological and political courses at all stages—universities, middle schools, and primary schools—we must always keep in mind the truthfulness of Marxism and fundamentally grasp the positions, viewpoints, and methods of Marxism. Ideological and political courses at all stages should seek the “greatest common divisor” in truthfulness, guide students to jointly comprehend the radiance of Marxist truth in combination with the characteristics of different stages, and ultimately form a scientific teaching system that progresses from low to high, from shallow to deep, in stages and levels, spiraling upward in an orderly manner, and running vertically and horizontally.

要推进以真理求学理。习近平总书记在党的二十大报告中指出：“推进马克思主义中国化时代化是一个追求真理、揭示真理、笃行真理的过程。”在大中小学各学段的思政课教学研究中，要始终牢记马克思主义的真理性，从根本上把握马克思主义的立场、观点、方法。大中小学各学段的思政课要在真理性上寻找“最大公约数”，要在思政课上引导学生结合不同学段特色，共同感悟马克思主义的真理光芒，最终形成一套由低到高、由浅入深，分阶段、分层次、有序螺旋上升、纵横贯通的科学教学体系。

Advance the pursuit of scholarly theory through reasoning. “The essence of ideological and political courses is to explain reasoning.” [4]4 Xi Jinping, speech at a symposium on school ideological and political theory courses, March 2019. Finding methods to explain reasoning deeply, thoroughly, and vividly according to the characteristics of each stage is the goal of ideological and political education workers in deepening scholarly theory. For the great reasoning of political belief, it is necessary to combine the levels of students at each stage to explain well why the Communist Party of China is capable, why Marxism works, and why socialism with Chinese characteristics is good. For the true reasoning of scientific theory, it is necessary not only to explain the basic principles of Marxism well but also to explain the latest achievements of adapting Marxism to the Chinese context and the needs of the times, and even more so to explain the reasoning of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era guiding practice. For the reasoning of cultivating core socialist values, it is necessary to combine the stepwise nature of young people’s understanding of the world at different ages, gradually guiding students to consolidate a scientific worldview, outlook on life, and value system, and gradually grow into new-era individuals who truly possess Marxist faith.

要推进以道理求学理。“思政课的本质是讲道理”。根据各个学段的特色，找到把道理讲深、讲透、讲活的方法，是思想政治教育工作者精深学理的目标。讲政治信仰的大道理，要结合各个学段学生的层次，讲好中国共产党为什么能、马克思主义为什么行、中国特色社会主义为什么好。讲科学理论的真道理，既要讲好马克思主义基本原理，又要讲好马克思主义中国化时代化的最新成果，更要讲好习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想指导实践的道理。讲好培育中国特色社会主义核心价值观的道理，要结合各年龄段青少年对世界认知的阶梯性，循序渐进地引导学生逐步夯实科学的世界观、人生观、价值观，逐渐成长为真正具有马克思主义信仰的时代新人。

Consolidating the Practice of Integrated Ideological and Political Courses through Rich Content

在丰富内容中夯实思政课一体化实践

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Take the world-renowned achievements of socialism with Chinese characteristics as content support.” [5]5 Xi Jinping, “Important Directive on the Construction of Ideological and Political Courses in Schools,” May 2024. “Thick clouds bring heavy rain; strong bows send arrows far”—ample accumulation enables powerful expression. [6]6 A classical Chinese saying from the *Discourses on Salt and Iron* (Yan Tie Lun, 1st century BCE), emphasizing that ample preparation yields strong results. The moral and ideological growth of young students cannot be separated from theoretical guidance, nor from the nourishment of practice. It is necessary to base efforts on the laws of the growth and development of educational objects, introducing the glorious deeds of China’s development to students in stages and systematically, so that students continuously build on their learning across stages, strengthen their ideals and beliefs, and establish the aspiration to serve the country.

习近平总书记指出：“以中国特色社会主义取得的举世瞩目成就为内容支撑”。“云厚者雨必猛，弓劲者箭必远”，厚积方能薄发。青年学子的思想道德成长，离不开理论引导，更离不开实践的滋养，要立足教育对象的成长发展规律，把中国发展的光辉事迹分阶段、系统性地介绍给学生，使学生在各个学段不断接力，坚定理想信念，树立报国之志。

Adhere to seeing the big from the small, starting from the surroundings. Students’ moral cognitive development exhibits different stages. It is necessary to help students start from their daily lives, recognize the great reasoning in the country’s development and changes, and thereby “button the first button of life.” [7]7 A metaphor popularized by Xi Jinping, referring to the importance of forming correct values early in life. Guide students to comprehend the incremental progress in the journey of building a moderately prosperous society in all respects—seeing the significant improvement in national quality from the increasing civility of people around them; seeing social safety and stability from the confidence of people around them in public security and fairness and justice; seeing the solid and powerful improvement in people’s livelihoods from the greater confidence of people around them in pursuing a better life; and seeing the implementation of building a beautiful China from the recognition and appreciation of the natural environment by people around them.

要坚持以小见大，从身边出发。学生的道德认知发展呈现不同的阶段性。要帮助学生从身边的生活出发，认识到国家发展变化中的大道理，进而“扣好人生第一粒扣子”。要引导学生领会全面建成小康社会征程中的点滴进步——从身边人越来越文明，看到国民素质的显著提高；从身边人对社会治安和公平正义的信心，看到社会的安全稳定；从身边人更有底气地追求美好生活，看到民生改善坚实有力；从身边人对自然环境的认可和欣赏，看到美丽中国建设落到实处。

Adhere to seeing strength from the big, showcasing the features of a strong country. China’s high-speed rail is rapidly forming a network across the land, the C919 large passenger aircraft has entered commercial operation, the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macao Bridge spans three locations, and the world’s largest 5G standalone network has been completed… China’s major-country manufacturing not only attracts world attention but also adds confidence to China’s development. The New Era’s being both big and strong is not only a manifestation of the whole nation’s unity of purpose and collective efforts but also a source of developmental energy for young students at all stages, and an important guarantee for improving the “attendance rate,” “head-raising rate,” “brain-absorption rate,” and “heart-engagement rate” of ideological and political courses. [8]8 These four rates are internal Party metrics for evaluating the effectiveness of ideological and political courses: attendance, student engagement (head-raising), cognitive absorption (brain-absorption), and emotional resonance (heart-engagement). Through various detailed cases, continuously enhance the targetedness and appeal of ideological and political courses.

要坚持以大见强，展现强国风貌。中国高铁在中华大地快速组网，C919大型客机投入商业运营，港珠澳大桥飞架三地，全球规模最大的5G独立网络建成……中国的大国制造在令世界瞩目的同时，更为中国的发展增添了信心。新时代大而强，不仅是全国人民同心同德、群策群力的展现，还是各学段青年学子汲取发展能量的源泉，更是提高思政课“到课率”“抬头率”“入脑率”“走心率”的重要保证。通过各种翔实的案例，不断提高思政课的针对性和吸引力。

Adhere to “a strong country includes me,” establishing the aspiration to serve the country. The fundamental task of ideological and political courses is to foster virtue and nurture people, and advancing the integrated construction of ideological and political courses in universities, middle schools, and primary schools is an important lever for implementing this fundamental task. Whether guiding students to feel the progress around them or drawing energy from the development of a strong country, the fundamental goal is to cultivate more new-era individuals who reassure the Party, are patriotic and dedicated, and bear the heavy responsibility of national rejuvenation. Only by basing efforts on the laws of students’ growth and development, scientifically, coherently, and completely guiding students to integrate the small self into the big self, and to integrate personal ideals and pursuits into the cause of the Party and the country, can we continuously open up new prospects for ideological and political education in the New Era.

要坚持强国有我，树立报国之志。思政课的根本任务是立德树人，推进大中小学思政课一体化建设是落实立德树人根本任务的重要抓手。无论是引导学生感受身边的进步，还是在强国的发展中汲取能量，其根本都是培养更多让党放心、爱国奉献、担当民族复兴重任的时代新人。只有立足于学生的成长发展规律，科学、连贯、完整地引导学生把小我融入大我，把个人的理想追求融入党和国家事业之中，才能不断开创新时代思想政治教育的新局面。

Opening Up New Prospects for Integrated Ideological and Political Courses through Cultural Inheritance

在文化传承中开创思政课一体化新局面

General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out: “Take fine traditional Chinese culture, revolutionary culture, and advanced socialist culture as the foundation of strength, explain reasoning deeply, thoroughly, and vividly, uphold fundamental principles and break new ground to promote the connotative development of ideological and political course construction, and continuously enhance the targetedness and appeal of ideological and political courses.” [9]9 Xi Jinping, “Important Directive on the Construction of Ideological and Political Courses in Schools,” May 2024.

习近平总书记指出：“以中华优秀传统文化、革命文化和社会主义先进文化为力量根基，把道理讲深讲透讲活，守正创新推动思政课建设内涵式发展，不断提高思政课的针对性和吸引力。”

Fine traditional Chinese culture is the spiritual lifeline of the Chinese nation, containing profound philosophical thought, moral orientations toward goodness, and advanced aesthetic tastes. Studying fine traditional Chinese culture enables one to discern success and failure, know beauty and ugliness, understand integrity and shame, grasp honor and disgrace, and distinguish right from wrong. At the primary school stage, “nurturing uprightness” should take precedence, cultivating traditional virtues such as filial piety and respect for elders, diligence and thrift, honesty and trustworthiness, and politeness toward others. At the middle school stage, emphasis should be placed on “understanding principles,” cultivating the moral cultivation of “the gentleman is cautious when alone,” [10]10 A Confucian concept from *The Doctrine of the Mean*, emphasizing moral self-discipline even when unobserved. understanding the relationship between the “small self” and the “big self,” and grasping the dialectical relationship between personal interests and collective interests. At the high school stage, emphasis should be placed on “establishing aspirations,” cultivating the great ambition to inherit Chinese civilization, the grand wish to promote social progress, and the fundamental intention to govern the country and ensure peace. At the university stage, emphasis should be placed on “taking action,” actively studying the advanced cultural achievements of the Two Integrations, [11]11 The Two Integrations refers to the combination of the basic tenets of Marxism with China’s specific realities and with the best of its fine traditional culture. promoting exchanges and mutual learning between Chinese and Western cultures, carrying forward the historical initiative spirit, and using youth to write splendid chapters worthy of the times.

中华优秀传统文化是中华民族的精神命脉，蕴含深邃的哲学思想、向善的道德指向、高级的审美趣味。学习中华优秀传统文化可以看成败、知美丑、明廉耻、懂荣辱、辨是非。在小学阶段，要以“养正”为先，培养孝老敬亲、勤俭节约、诚实守信、礼貌待人的传统美德。在初中阶段，要注重“明理”，培养“君子慎独”的品德修养，理解“小我”与“大我”，把握个人利益与集体利益之间的辩证关系。在高中阶段，要注重“立志”，培养传承中华文明的大志、发社会进步的宏愿、立治国安邦的本心。在大学阶段，要注重“有为”，主动学习“两个结合”的先进文化成果，推动中西方文化交流互鉴，发扬历史主动精神，用青春书写无愧于时代的华彩篇章。

Revolutionary culture is created by the Communist Party of China leading the people in the course of revolution and construction. It is an important source of cultural confidence and a powerful spiritual driving force for advancing the great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation. To promote revolutionary culture, it is necessary to respect the law of students’ thinking growth from the concrete to the abstract, grasp the learning perspectives of revolutionary stories at different stages, properly handle the relationship between segmentation and wholeness, and ensure that “each segment guards its own channel.” [12]12 A phrase from internal Party discourse on ideological work, meaning each educational stage should fulfill its specific responsibility without overstepping or neglecting its role. The process of promoting revolutionary culture from lower to higher stages is a learning process that transitions from recognizing revolutionary figures and historical events to understanding revolutionary spirit and communist faith. Through enlightenment-style learning in primary school, knowledge-based learning in middle school, and concept-based learning in university, the spark of revolutionary culture will be passed on endlessly in the thoughts of young students.

革命文化是中国共产党领导人民在革命、建设的历史中创造的，是文化自信的重要源头，是推进中华民族伟大复兴的强大精神动力。弘扬革命文化，要尊重学生从具象到抽象的思维成长规律，把握革命故事在不同学段的学习视角，处理好分段与整体的关系，做到“各守一段渠”。从低学段到高学段的革命文化宣传过程，即是从认知革命人物和历史事件过渡到理解革命精神和共产主义信仰的学习过程。经过小学的启蒙式学习，到中学的知识式学习，再到大学的理念式学习，革命文化火种将在青年学子的思想中生生不息。

Socialist advanced culture is oriented toward modernization, toward the world, and toward the future; it is a national, scientific, and mass culture. Culture is the domain most in need of innovation; innovation is the essential characteristic and the life force of culture. Socialist advanced culture, as a continuously developing culture in the contemporary era, is a cultural wealth created jointly by all the Chinese people in the New Era. To develop socialist advanced culture, attention must be paid to enhancing students’ sense of ownership, enabling them to transition from “bystanders” to “participants” and “creators,” to feel the contemporary world with their hearts, grasp the pulse of the times, strengthen confidence in the culture, and create cultural wealth.

社会主义先进文化是面向现代化、面向世界、面向未来的，民族的科学的大众的文化。文化是最需要创新的领域，创新是文化的本质特征和生命力所在。社会主义先进文化作为当代不断发展的文化，是新时代全体中国人民共同创造的文化财富。发展社会主义先进文化，要注重提高学生的主人翁意识，让学生从“旁观者”过渡到“亲历者”和“创造者”，用心感受当今世界，把握时代脉动，增强文化自信，创造文化财富。

Online editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧