As the early winter brings a slight chill and fallen leaves create a colorful scene, on November 20th, the "Li Yun · Seeking Knowledge" History Reading Club (Second Edition) was successfully held at the "Fireside Reading Center" in Room 314 of the West Five One-Stop Student Community by the School of History and Culture. This reading club was jointly organized by the Fireside Reading Center, the Reading and Writing Center, and the Academic Research Department of the Student Union of the School of History and Culture at Huazhong Normal University. Professor Cai Lijuan from the School of History and Culture served as the keynote speaker, while Li Rong, the undergraduate student counselor for the class of 2022, presided over the event, with students participating through both online and offline platforms.
Cai Lijuan, with her profound academic background and rich practical experience, delivered an insightful and incisive lecture on the theme of "Selecting and Writing Historical Papers." She encouraged students to take the first step in academic research boldly, to start small, delve deeply into historical materials, pay attention to social realities, and explore history with unique perspectives and innovative thinking.
Regarding topic selection, Cai emphasized that a good historical paper topic should be targeted, novel, and feasible. She advised students to start with specific historical events, figures, or phenomena, and through meticulous research, to reveal the truths hidden deep in history by combining specific points with broader contexts. At the same time, she stressed that topic selection should also be closely linked to social realities, focusing on historical issues that people care about today, to enhance the timeliness and practical significance of the paper.
When discussing writing, Cai Lijuan cited Mr. Yan Kengwang's view from "Three Books on the Study of History" - "Read the books that everyone can read, and say what no one has said before." She pointed out that materials are the cornerstone of writing a good article, and students should be adept at discovering and raising questions while reading historical materials, and then solving them through in-depth analysis and argumentation. Cai Lijuan's earnest teachings were like a ray of warm sunshine in winter, warm and enlightening.
In the subsequent free exchange session, students actively asked Cai Lijuan questions about how to read historical materials, how to narrow down macro topics, and how to conduct daily writing exercises, among other aspects, combining her sharing with their own learning experiences. Cai Lijuan, in line with the students' recent course situations and learning interests, provided detailed and insightful answers. Students unanimously expressed that these valuable suggestions not only expanded and enriched their academic horizons but also laid a solid foundation for their future growth paths.
As the event drew to a close, Li Rong summarized the activity. She first expressed her sincere admiration for Cai Lijuan's profound teacher's sentiment and outstanding professional charm. Cai not only enlightened students with her knowledge but also infected every listener with her personal charm. At the same time, she also encouraged the students present to learn from Cai Lijuan's love for her profession and to internalize this passion and persistence as a continuous driving force for their own academic exploration.
Amidst warm applause, the second edition of the "Li Yun · Seeking Knowledge" History Reading Club came to a successful end. This reading club not only provided a platform for academic exchange for students but also stimulated their interest and love for history. It is believed that in the days to come, students will walk side by side with teachers and friends under the guidance of books, exploring the mysteries and charms of history together.
Source:The Voice of CCNU
Translator:Jiang Bingbing
Date:December 5, 2024
