Agricultural Science: The Great Dictionary of Chinese Academic in the 20th Century

Author: Shi Yuanchun
Publisher:
Publishing Date: 2002-09-01
Features: The 20th Century Chinese Academic Canon is a large-scale reference work that summarizes the academic achievements of Chinese scholars in the fields of natural sciences, engineering technology, social sciences, and humanities over the past century in the form of entries. The 20th Century Chinese Academic Canon is published in volumes organized by discipline. Each volume is structured around the framework of the discipline, featuring seven categories of entries: discipline research, thematic research, academic events, academic figures, famous academic works, academic institutions and organizations, and academic journals. Among these, discipline research and thematic research constitute the main content, accounting for the bulk of each volume. In July 1994, our publishing house initially proposed the publishing concept of The 20th Century Chinese Academic Canon. Subsequently, we consulted experts from academic institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Peking University, and Tsinghua University on multiple occasions, held numerous forums, and conducted discussions to evaluate and assess the significance and value of the project, which received strong affirmation from authoritative figures in academia. In 1996, the compilation plan was formulated, the overall framework was designed, and invitations were extended to authoritative expert groups. That same year, the State Press and Publication Administration included the book in the national "Nineth Five-Year Plan" for key book publishing projects. The compilation and publication of The 20th Century Chinese Academic Canon is a pioneering endeavor. It differs from encyclopedias, academic histories, and academic annuals. This Canon adopts the style of an encyclopedic dictionary to form a unique academic "century," representing a novel exploration. Although this exploration is not academic research but rather academic summary, it must maintain a high academic standard; it must respect history, advance scientific development, disseminate truth, and critique pseudoscience and falsehoods. To avoid bias, the Canon inclusively incorporates entries related to debates between disciplines and schools of thought, as long as they represent academic innovation. After eight years of relentless effort, The 20th Century Chinese Academic Canon, this century-spanning large-scale series, has finally been published. With the strength of a local specialized publishing house, undeterred by risks and challenges, we completed such a monumental publishing project, thanks to the strong support of all sectors of society, especially the academic community. The book is organized as follows:
1. The book is published in volumes organized by discipline (academic category). One discipline is compiled into a volume, and if the word count is insufficient for a volume, it is combined with other related disciplines into a single volume.
2. The entries are categorized and arranged by discipline research and thematic research, academic events, academic figures, famous academic works, academic institutions and organizations, and academic journals, forming a systematic classified index.
3. Discipline research and thematic research entries are arranged according to the framework of the discipline's content system.
4. Academic events, academic figures, famous academic works, academic institutions and organizations, and academic journals are all arranged in chronological order.
5. Each discipline volume includes an introductory article before the categorized entries, summarizing the major research achievements of Chinese scholars in that discipline over the past century, such as "20th Century Chinese Linguistics Studies."
7. Academic themes that intersect between disciplines are covered in relevant discipline volumes, with the explanatory content tailored to the specific requirements of each discipline.