Integrating Ecological Civilization Philosophy into University Political Education: Theoretical Logic and Innovative Pathways — A Case Study

To explore the theoretical logic and practical pathways for the deep integration of ecological civilization thought and university ideological and political education, this study takes the course Ideological and Moral Cultivation and the Rule of Law at East China University of Technology as a typical case. Employing a combined approach of theoretical analysis and practical verification, it systematically investigates the intrinsic connections and innovative mechanisms between these two domains. The research reveals that ecological civilization thought, grounded in three theoretical foundations—Marxist ecological philosophy, traditional Chinese ecological wisdom, and new-era ecological civilization theories—provides systematic methodological guidance for curriculum reform. At the practical level, a three-dimensional innovative pathway encompassing content system, teaching methodologies, and evaluation mechanisms has been constructed. This includes a curriculum framework integrating ecological ethics, ecological rule of law, and ecological practices; an intersubjective dialogic teaching model; and a multi-dimensional evaluation system covering cognition, values, and behaviors. The proposed three-dimensional collaborative education model and dual-spiral innovation mechanism effectively bridge theory and practice, offering a replicable empirical paradigm for cultivating ecologically literate citizens. This study not only promotes a paradigm shift in ideological and political education from social-centric to eco-social dual construction but also contributes theoretical and practical insights to the development of a distinctively Chinese ecological civilization education system.