The Fourfold Narrative in Ideological-Political Courses: Speaking Deeply, Thoroughly, and Vividly about Deepening Reform Comprehensively

As the key course for fulfilling the fundamental task of fostering virtue and nurturing people [1]1 “Fostering virtue and nurturing people” (立德树人) is a fundamental task of education in China, emphasizing moral cultivation as the basis for talent development., the ideological-political course needs to resonate with the stirring rhythm of the times and continuously explore innovative teaching methods and means. The narrative teaching method is a pedagogical approach that emphasizes integrating knowledge, emotion, intention, and action. It addresses students’ theoretical cognitive issues and practical developmental problems through a narrative-designed teaching process, characterized by vivid life scenarios, rich meaning-bearing capacity, and multidimensional interactive communication. Teachers of ideological-political courses should scientifically apply the narrative teaching method, exerting effort from four dimensions—image narrative, emotional narrative, historical narrative, and innovation narrative—to speak deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about the story of deepening reform comprehensively, thereby better constructing an educational model that moves from knowledge to practice and from emotion to sentiment, and enhancing the effectiveness of forging souls and nurturing people.

作为落实立德树人根本任务的关键课程，思政课需要与时代发展的激昂鼓点同频共振，不断探索创新教学方法和手段。叙事教学法是一种注重融合知、情、意、行的教学方法，它通过叙事化设计教学过程来解决大学生存在的理论认识问题和现实发展问题，具有鲜明的生活情境性、丰富的意义承载性和多维的互动交流性等特点。思政课教师要科学运用叙事教学法，从图像叙事、情感叙事、历史叙事、创新叙事四个维度发力，将全面深化改革的故事讲深讲透讲活，更好构建从知识到实践、从情感到情怀的育人方式，着力提升铸魂育人的实效性。

1. Using Image Narrative to Speak Deeply, Thoroughly, and Vividly about the World-Renowned Achievements of Reform and Opening Up

1.以图像叙事讲深讲透讲活改革开放取得的举世瞩目成就

In the age of image reading, ideological-political courses can explore transforming the historical logic, great achievements, and future prospects of deepening reform comprehensively into intuitive image narratives.

读图时代，思政课可探索将全面深化改革的历史逻辑、巨大成就和未来图景等转化为直观图像叙事。

Let the effectiveness of reform manifest “principles within images.” “Principles within images” means that ideological-political courses need to use rich and varied image materials such as pictures, charts, paintings, short plays, and short videos to enhance narrative effects, presenting the reform measures introduced since the Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC [2]2 The Third Plenary Session of the 11th Central Committee of the CPC, held in December 1978, marked the beginning of China’s reform and opening-up policy under Deng Xiaoping’s leadership., and speaking deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about the theoretical logic behind the historic transformations brought by deepening reform comprehensively. Using visual charts of the world-renowned achievements in economic and social development, they vividly and intuitively reflect the magnificent momentum of China’s rapid development.

让改革成效展现“画中有理”。“画中有理”就是说，思政课需要借助丰富多彩的图片、图表、绘画、短剧、短视频等影像资料来增强叙事效果，呈现党的十一届三中全会以来推出的改革举措，讲深讲透讲活全面深化改革带来历史性巨变的理论逻辑。以经济社会发展取得举世瞩目成就的可视化图表，生动且直观地映现中国快速发展的壮阔态势。

Let the shaping of reform images manifest “beauty within images.” For example, select classic artworks about reform and opening up, such as *On the Southern Tour* [3]3 *On the Southern Tour* refers to Deng Xiaoping’s 1992 inspection tour of southern China, which reinvigorated reform and opening up., *November 24, 1978: Xiaogang* [4]4 *November 24, 1978: Xiaogang* refers to the date when 18 farmers in Xiaogang Village, Anhui Province, secretly signed a contract initiating household responsibility system, a landmark event in rural reform., *Pioneer Ox—Dedicated to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone* [5]5 *Pioneer Ox—Dedicated to the Shenzhen Special Economic Zone* is a sculpture symbolizing the pioneering spirit of Shenzhen’s development.; classic documentaries like *Twenty Years of Reform and Opening Up*, *Carry the Reform Through to the End*, and *The Path of Reform and Opening Up in the New Era*; and classic film and television works such as *Deng Xiaoping in the Historical Turn*, *Like a Flowing River*, and *Land of Hope*. Use images to narrate history, paintings to explain beauty, and films to convey spirit. Through the image-based shaping of reform figures, events, and history, transform the “hard” principles of ideological-political courses into an artistic ideological-political education that moistens things silently, enhancing students’ identification with reform and opening up and deepening reform comprehensively through aesthetic experience.

让改革形象塑造“画中有美”。如，精选关于改革开放的经典美术作品《南巡途中》《1978年11月24日·小岗》《开荒牛——献给深圳特区》、经典纪录片《改革开放二十年》《将改革进行到底》《新时代的改革开放之路》、经典影视作品《历史转折中的邓小平》《大江大河》《希望的大地》等，以图讲史、以画释美、以影传神，通过对改革开放人物、事件、历史的形象塑造，将思政课的“硬”道理转化为润物无声的艺术思政，在审美体验中增强学生对改革开放和全面深化改革的认同。

Let the reform blueprint highlight “virtue within images.” “Virtue within images” means that ideological-political courses that speak deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about deepening reform comprehensively need, beyond “integrating emotion into scenes,” also “integrate virtue into scenes,” using image narratives to shape character, allowing young students to feel the magnificent blueprint of deepening reform comprehensively. For instance, focus on students’ aspirations and pursuits for a better life, using generative artificial intelligence animations to display future blueprints for smart elderly care communities, future industrial development, new employment forms, compact medical alliances, a fertility-friendly society, and embedded childcare services. Encourage young students to strive tirelessly for these goals and consciously shape the healthy character of the new-era individuals.

让改革图景彰显“画中有德”。画中有德就是说，讲深讲透讲活全面深化改革的思政课在“融情入景”之外，还需要“融德入景”，借助图像叙事塑造人格，让青年学生感受全面深化改革的壮丽图景。比如，关注学生对美好生活的向往和追求，以生成式人工智能动画展示未来智慧养老社区图景、未来产业发展图景、新就业形态图景、紧密型医联体图景、生育友好社会图景、嵌入式托育图景等，鼓励青年学子为之不懈奋斗，自觉塑造时代新人健康人格。

2. Using Emotional Narrative to Speak Deeply, Thoroughly, and Vividly about the Great Spirit of Reform and Opening Up

2.以情感叙事讲深讲透讲活伟大改革开放精神

Evoking students’ emotional resonance and enhancing the influence and persuasiveness of the narrative are important methods in ideological-political course teaching. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Only with true belief can there be true emotion; only true emotion can move people” [6]6 This quote is from Xi Jinping’s speech at a symposium on teachers of ideological-political courses, March 18, 2019., and “Teachers of ideological-political courses must have a sense of family and country, a sense of transmitting the Way, and a sense of benevolence and love.” To speak deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about the great spirit of reform and opening up, it is necessary to carefully select reform stories with appeal and attraction, vividly narrate the world-renowned achievements of China’s 40-plus years of reform and opening up, and stimulate strong emotional resonance.

引发学生的情感共鸣，增强叙事的影响力和说服力，是思政课教学的重要方式。习近平总书记指出，“真信才有真情，真情才能感染人”“思政课教师要有家国情怀”“要有传道情怀”“要有仁爱情怀”。讲深讲透讲活伟大改革开放精神，要精心遴选具有感染力与吸引力的改革故事，形象讲述中国改革开放40多年取得的举世瞩目成就，激发强烈的情感共鸣。

Uphold a sense of family and country, tell the stories of reformers, and derive the great spirit of reform and opening up. Selecting typical figures and typical cases to vividly tell the moving stories of reform promoters, witnesses, and participants is the emotional narrative foundation for speaking deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about the great spirit of reform and opening up. Enable students to deeply feel the bittersweet experiences of reform pioneers, their sense of mission for the nation’s destiny, and their deep concern for the people’s fate, inspiring new-era university students to take reform predecessors as role models and actively engage in the tide of deepening reform comprehensively.

坚守家国情怀，讲好改革者的故事，引申出伟大改革开放精神。选择典型人物和典型案例，生动讲述改革推动者、亲历者、参与者的感人故事，是讲深讲透讲活伟大改革开放精神的情感叙事基础。让学生深切地感受改革先驱内心的酸甜苦辣及其对国家命运的使命担当和对人民命运深切关怀的家国情怀，激励新时代大学生以改革先辈为榜样，主动投身于全面深化改革浪潮之中。

Uphold a sense of transmitting the Way, focus on emotional resonance in the narrative, and internalize the great spirit of reform and opening up. The sense of transmitting the Way must be deep, primarily reflected in the theoretical self-awareness and sincere emotion of “speaking about Marxism when in the Marxist position” [7]7 “Speaking about Marxism when in the Marxist position” (在马言马) is a phrase emphasizing theoretical fidelity to Marxism in academic and educational contexts.. For example, integrate the “seven focuses” [8]8 The “seven focuses” refer to seven key areas outlined in the *Decision* of the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee (July 2024), including economic system reform, political system reform, and cultural system reform. proposed in the *Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Deepening Reform Comprehensively to Advance Chinese-Path Modernization* (hereinafter referred to as the *Decision*), reviewed and approved at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC [9]9 The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC was held in July 2024, focusing on further deepening reform comprehensively., into ideological-political teaching. Teachers should, with a reverent mindset and sincere emotion, speak deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about the great transformative stories of China’s journey from backwardness and isolation to the establishment of the goal of a great modern socialist country, from a planned economy to accelerating the construction of a high-level socialist market economy system, and from solving the people’s food and clothing needs to significantly improving the quality of people’s lives. Through teaching models such as classroom presentations and role-playing, enable students to share the achievements of reform and opening up and feel the nation’s tremendous changes, generating emotional resonance of confidence and pride.

坚守传道情怀，注重叙事情感共鸣，内化伟大改革开放精神。传道情怀要深，主要体现在“在马言马”的理论自觉和诚挚情感之中。譬如，将党的二十届三中全会审议通过的《中共中央关于进一步全面深化改革、推进中国式现代化的决定》（以下简称《决定》）提出的“七个聚焦”融入思政教学中，教师应怀着敬畏的心情和真挚的情感，讲深讲透讲活我国从落后封闭到社会主义现代化强国目标确立、从计划经济到加快构建高水平社会主义市场经济体制、从解决人民温饱到人民生活品质大幅提高的伟大变革故事……通过课堂讲演、角色扮演等教学模式，让学生在分享改革开放成就与感受国家巨大变化中，产生自信自豪的情感共鸣。

Uphold a sense of benevolence and love, focus on emotional sublimation between teachers and students, and promote the great spirit of reform and opening up. “Benevolence and love” are noble virtues and emotional expressions, manifested as teachers’ care and respect for students. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “Good teachers use love to nurture love, inspire love, and spread love, narrowing the distance with students through true feelings, sincerity, and authenticity, nourishing students’ hearts, and becoming their good friends and confidants.” [10]10 This quote is from Xi Jinping’s speech at a celebration of Teachers’ Day, September 9, 2014. To speak deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about and promote the great spirit of reform and opening up, it is necessary to both transform spirit into morality, internalizing the great spirit of reform and opening up into the moral qualities of teachers and students pursuing transcendence, innovation, pragmatism, and responsibility, making it a value-guiding force for mutual teaching and learning and character shaping; and transform spirit into action, externalizing the great spirit of reform and opening up into teachers’ and students’ pioneering innovation, social responsibility of self-sacrifice, and conscious actions of sharp progress.

坚守仁爱情怀，注重师生情感升华，弘扬伟大改革开放精神。“仁爱”是一种高尚的品德和情感表达，表现为教师对学生的关爱与尊重。习近平总书记指出：“好老师要用爱培育爱、激发爱、传播爱，通过真情、真心、真诚拉近同学生的距离，滋润学生的心田，使自己成为学生的好朋友和贴心人。”讲深讲透讲活以及弘扬伟大改革开放精神，既要化精神为道德，把伟大改革开放精神内化为师生追求超越、创新、务实、担当的道德品质，使之成为引导师生教学相长与人格塑造的价值引领力；又要化精神为行动，把伟大改革开放精神外化为师生敢为人先的创新创造、舍我其谁的社会担当、锐意进取的自觉行动。

3. Using Historical Narrative to Speak Deeply, Thoroughly, and Vividly about the Basic Laws of Deepening Reform Comprehensively

3.以历史叙事讲深讲透讲活全面深化改革的基本规律

In ideological-political course teaching, to speak deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about the basic laws of deepening reform comprehensively, it is necessary to conduct comprehensive historical narratives of reform historical events and figures, allowing students to immersively comprehend the historical process of deepening reform comprehensively.

在思政课教学中讲深讲透讲活全面深化改革的基本规律，需要对改革的历史事件和历史人物等进行综合历史叙事，让学生沉浸式体悟全面深化改革的历史进程。

Adhere to a developmental mindset, speaking deeply, thoroughly, and vividly about the laws of deepening reform comprehensively. “To understand the great Way, one must first study history.” [11]11 This is a classical Chinese saying from the *Zhuangzi* and other texts, emphasizing the importance of historical study for understanding fundamental principles. Adhere to a grand historical perspective, extensively collect various reform historical materials, comparatively analyze and objectively evaluate major reforms in ancient and modern, Chinese and foreign history, and uncover the historical wisdom and laws of reforms at home and abroad; seek the general laws of socialist country reforms and experiences that can be drawn upon; with a developmental perspective, deeply analyze the revolutionary changes brought about by major institutional and mechanism reforms before and after China’s reform and opening up and since the New Era, integrally present the reform measures since 1978 and their great achievements, enabling students to clearly see the severe and complex international environment and the arduous and heavy domestic tasks of reform, development, and stability facing further deepening reform comprehensively and advancing Chinese-path modernization, and scientifically summarize the basic laws of deepening reform comprehensively.

坚持发展的思维，讲深讲透讲活全面深化改革的规律。“欲知大道，必先为史。”坚持以大历史的眼光，广泛收集各种改革史料，比较分析和客观评价古今中外历史上的重大改革，发掘中外改革的历史智慧和历史规律；找寻社会主义国家改革的一般规律和可借鉴的经验；以发展的眼光，深入分析中国改革开放前后、新时代以来的重大体制机制改革所取得的革命性变化，一体化展现1978年以来的改革举措及其取得的巨大成就，让学生看清进一步全面深化改革与推进中国式现代化面临严峻复杂的国际环境和艰巨繁重的国内改革发展稳定任务，科学总结全面深化改革的基本规律。

Adhere to systematic thinking, and explain, thoroughly and vividly, the “timing” and “momentum” of comprehensively deepening reform. The world today is undergoing changes unseen in a century. It is very important to correctly understand the general trend of development in China and the world, and to accurately assess China’s historical position and its coordinates in the world. Integrate the content of the “Decision” [12]12 The “Decision” refers to the “Decision of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China on Further Comprehensively Deepening Reform and Promoting Chinese-style Modernization,” adopted at the Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the CPC in July 2024. into ideological-political course teaching, interconnecting the theoretical logic of knowledge points such as “the universal connection and change and development of things,” “the basic contradictions of society and their laws of motion,” and “the role of social revolution in social development” from the *Basic Principles of Marxism* with the historical logic of knowledge points such as “comprehensively deepening reform and opening up” from the *Introduction to Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era*, “socialist reform and opening up and the theory of the socialist market economy” from the *Introduction to Mao Zedong Thought and the Theoretical System of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics*, and “the new situation of reform and opening up and socialist modernization” from the *Outline of Modern Chinese History*. Combining history and theory, explain, thoroughly and vividly, General Secretary Xi Jinping’s scientific assertion that “the timing and momentum are on our side” [13]13 “The timing and momentum are on our side” is a statement made by Xi Jinping, emphasizing that China possesses favorable conditions and historical initiative in the current era of change. and the original intention and goals, methods and paths of comprehensively deepening reform, enabling students to comprehend the great logic and general trend of the “timing” and “momentum” of reform, and to strengthen their confidence in the theory and historical initiative regarding comprehensively deepening reform.

坚持系统的思维，讲深讲透讲活全面深化改革的“时”与“势”。当今世界正经历百年未有之大变局,正确认识中国与世界发展大势，准确研判中国的历史方位和世界坐标十分重要。将《决定》的内容融入思政课教学之中，把《马克思主义基本原理》的“事物的普遍联系和变化发展”“社会基本矛盾及其运动规律”“社会革命在社会发展中的作用”等知识点的理论逻辑，与《习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想概论》的“全面深化改革开放”、《毛泽东思想和中国特色社会主义理论体系概论》的“社会主义改革开放和社会主义市场经济理论”、《中国近现代史纲要》的“改革开放和社会主义现代化建设新局面”等知识点的历史逻辑相互贯通，史论结合讲深讲透讲活习近平总书记关于“时与势在我们一边”的科学论断以及全面深化改革的初衷与目标、方法与路径，让学生领悟改革“时”与“势”的大逻辑大趋势，增强对全面深化改革的理论自信和历史主动。

Adhere to dialectical thinking, and explain, thoroughly and vividly, the experience of comprehensively deepening reform. General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out, “History is the best textbook,” and we must “bear in mind historical experience, bear in mind historical lessons, and bear in mind historical warnings.” Vividly present to students the Chinese story of the great achievements of reform and opening up over more than 40 years; clearly explain which aspects still have shortcomings after more than 40 years of reform and opening up, and which problems still need to be solved through further comprehensively deepening reform; thoroughly explain the characteristics of the major reform measures deployed as a priority in the “Decision,” which in terms of content arrangement “emphasize the leading role of economic system reform,” “emphasize building a comprehensive innovation system and mechanism,” “emphasize comprehensive reform,” “emphasize coordinating development and security,” and “emphasize strengthening the Party’s leadership over reform,” and profoundly comprehend their important significance.

坚持辩证的思维，讲深讲透讲活全面深化改革的经验。习近平总书记指出，“历史是最好的教科书”，要“牢记历史经验、牢记历史教训、牢记历史警示”。向学生讲活改革开放40多年取得伟大成就的中国故事；讲清改革开放40多年来哪些方面还存在不足，还有哪些需要进一步全面深化改革加以破解的难题；讲透《决定》重点部署的重大改革举措在内容摆布上具有“注重发挥经济体制改革牵引作用”“注重构建支持全面创新体制机制”“注重全面改革”“注重统筹发展和安全”“注重加强党对改革的领导”的特点，深刻领悟其重要意义。

4. Use an innovative narrative to explain, thoroughly and vividly, the grand blueprint for further comprehensively deepening reform

4.以创新叙事讲深讲透讲活进一步全面深化改革的宏伟蓝图

An innovative narrative mainly promotes understanding by constructing and conveying stories about the process, methods, achievements, and impacts of innovation, enhancing the narrative’s influence, appeal, and persuasiveness. Ideological-political course teachers should adopt novel and unique teaching methods and means, break traditional teaching models, and explain, thoroughly and vividly, the grand blueprint for further comprehensively deepening reform.

创新叙事主要通过构建和传达关于创新过程、方法、成果及其影响的故事来促进理解，增强叙事的影响力、感染力和说服力。思政课教师应采用新颖、独特的教学方法和手段，打破传统的教学模式，讲深讲透讲活进一步全面深化改革的宏伟蓝图。

Make efforts in the content of the innovative narrative to enhance the attractiveness of ideological-political courses. An innovative narrative should present contemporary Chinese scientific and technological innovation through lively and vivid stories, attracting the attention of college students and stimulating their interest in exploration. For example, when introducing scientific and technological innovation achievements such as quantum computing, chips, and brain-computer interfaces, one can tell the struggle stories of the R&D teams, the key nodes of technological breakthroughs, etc., making it easier for students to resonate, thereby increasing their attention to reform and opening up, scientific and technological innovation, and so on.

在创新叙事内容上下功夫，增强思政课的吸引力。创新叙事要以生动活泼故事呈现当代中国科技创新，吸引大学生的注意力，激发其探索兴趣。如，在介绍量子计算、芯片、脑机接口等科技创新成果时，可以讲述研发团队的奋斗故事、技术突破的关键节点等，使学生更容易产生共鸣，从而提高对改革开放、科技创新等的关注度。

Make efforts in the discourse of the innovative narrative to enhance the appeal of ideological-political courses. The discourse style of young students is greatly influenced by social media platforms. Ideological-political course teachers should closely focus on core socialist values, closely adhere to the typical discourse styles of young people in the New Era, such as being internet-based and popular, personalized and diversified, humorous and emotional, and strive to create an ideological-political classroom that conforms to the thinking habits and language habits of young people in the New Era, so that the Chinese story and Chinese voice of further comprehensively deepening reform can be better accepted and recognized by young people in the New Era.

在创新叙事话语上下功夫，增强思政课的感染力。青年学生的话语风格受社交媒体平台影响较大，思政课教师要紧密围绕社会主义核心价值观，紧贴新时代青年学生网络化与流行化、个性化与多样化、幽默化与情感化等典型话语风格，着力营造符合新时代青年学生思维习惯、语言习惯的思政课堂，让进一步全面深化改革的中国故事、中国声音更好地为新时代青年学生所接受和认同。

Make efforts in the means of the innovative narrative to enhance the dissemination power of ideological-political courses. Ideological-political course teaching needs to gradually promote and apply new technologies and new means, and strive to build an immersive teaching that takes the content of reform and opening up as the foundation and advanced technology as the support, disseminating knowledge of reform and opening up. For example, innovative narratives can be carried out through technological means such as virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR), transforming abstract scientific and technological knowledge into concrete, intuitive, and interactive operations, helping students to understand the frontiers of science and technology more intuitively, and expanding the breadth of knowledge in ideological-political courses. With the help of new communication technologies and means, systematically display the grand blueprint for further comprehensively deepening reform in areas such as the economy, politics, culture, society, ecological civilization, national security, national defense and the military, and stimulate the strong patriotic spirit and innovative spirit of young students.

在创新叙事手段上下功夫，增强思政课的传播力。思政课教学需要逐步推广和运用新技术和新手段，着力构建以改革开放内容为根本、先进技术为支撑的沉浸式教学，传播改革开放的知识。譬如，可以通过虚拟现实（VR）、增强现实（AR）、扩展现实（XR）等技术手段进行创新叙事，将抽象的科技知识转化为具体、直观、交互的操作，帮助学生更直观地了解科技前沿，拓展思政课的知识广度。借助新的传播技术和传播手段，系统展现经济、政治、文化、社会、生态文明、国家安全、国防和军队等方面进一步全面深化改革的宏伟蓝图，激发青年学生强烈的爱国主义精神和创新精神。

(Author: Liu Xingyun, Researcher at the Research Center for Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era in Guangdong Province, Associate Professor at the School of Marxism, Shantou University)

（作者：刘兴云，系广东省习近平新时代中国特色社会主义思想研究中心研究员、汕头大学马克思主义学院副教授）

Online Editor: Huihui

网络编辑：慧慧