The predecessor of School of Marxism of Lanzhou University can be traced back to the Teaching and Research Section of Marxism-Leninism established in 1950, which then developed into Department of Science of Marxism (or Department of Teaching and Research of  Marxism-Leninism) in 1988 with the undergraduate program of Basic Principles of Marxism, and was renamed Department of International Politics in 1998. In 2001, Department of Teaching and Research of Marxism-Leninism, Department of Moral Education and Department of International Politics amalgamated into a new Department of International Politics which was renamed School of Politics and Administration in 2004. That year witnessed a newcomer - Department of Social Sciences of the former Lanzhou University of Medicine. In 2008, the new Department turned into School of Marxism and became an independent college in 2013. Two years later, it was recognized as one of the first national key Schools of Marxism.

The school now has 71 staff members, of whom 61 are full-time teachers, including 12 full professors, 19 associate professors and 30 lecturers. There are 14 doctoral and 29 master’s supervisors. 81% of the faculties are holders of Doctor’s Degrees or doctoral candidates, and 13 studied or worked abroad. There are a lot of honorable titles among the faculty, such as 4 experts of Theoretical Studies of Marxism and Its Construction Project, 4 experts enjoying Special Government Allowances of the State Council, 1 national excellent teacher, 1 national excellent university teacher of Ideological and Political Theories, 4 influential models and teachers of Ideological and Political Theories, 2 members of Advisory Board of Ideological and Political Theories under Ministry of Education, 1 member of Advisory Board of Political Science, 1 national teaching expert of Ideological and Political Theories at Colleges and Universities, 1 national teaching model of Ideological and Political Theories at Colleges and Universities, 1 national leading teacher of Ideological and Political Theories at Colleges and Universities, 1 national excellent teacher, 1 Baosteel excellent teacher, 1 national pioneering teacher of education reform and innovation, 4 leading talents of Gansu Province, 3 prominent teachers of Gansu Province, 9 members of Theory Preaching Board of Gansu Committee of CPC, 3 talents of Talents up to the Four Standards in Gansu Cultural Department, 1 excellent teacher of Ideological and Political Theories at Colleges and Universities in Gansu, 3 Longji prominent teachers of Lanzhou University, and 2 of “My Favorite Ten Teachers” in Lanzhou University.

The School claims Center for Post-Doctoral Studies, the doctoral program of the primary discipline, and the master’s program of the primary discipline. And there are 7 doctoral programs of the secondary discipline: Basic Principles of Marxism, Study of Sinicization of Marxism, Study of Marxism Abroad, Ideological and Political Education, Study of Basic Issues of Modern and Contemporary Chinese History, Construction of CPC, and Marxist Theory of International Relations and China’s Foreign Relations; and 9 master’s programs of the secondary discipline: Basic Principles of Marxism, The History of Development of Marxism, Study of Sinicization of Marxism, Study of Marxism Abroad, Ideological and Political Education, Study of Basic Issues of Modern and Contemporary Chinese History, Construction of CPC, Marxist Theory of International Relations and China’s Foreign Relations, Scientific Socialism and International Communist Movement. Besides, the school offers 2 undergraduate programs: Ideological and Political Education, and Marxist Theory (to enroll students in 2018), of which the program of Ideological and Political Education is recognized as the one with its own characteristics in Gansu Province.

The school covers 6 teaching and research sections: Basic Principles of Marxism, Sinicization of Marxism, Basic Issues of Modern and Contemporary Chinese History, Ideological and Political Education, Current China’s Situation and Policy, and Ideological and Political Theories for Graduates. They are responsible for the teaching and research of courses of ideological and political theories for undergraduates and graduates. Pursuing the correct political direction and keeping on top priority the education of ideological and political theories, the school has formed a teaching model with characteristics of Lanzhou University---“Highlighting teaching of theories in class aided by online teaching and practice”. As a result, the teaching team of ideological and political courses was approved as a provincial-level team. The School, included in the national research and training bases for teachers of courses of ideological and political theories of Chinese colleges and universities, covers 7 research institutes: Research Center of Innovation of Ideological and Political Theories and Practice (Key Research Base of Humanities and Social Sciences of Colleges and Universities in Gansu Province), Research Center of Public Opinions and Measures on Ideological and Political Education at Colleges and Universities (Key Think Tank of Gansu Province), Research Center of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era of Lanzhou University, Research Center of the Socialist Theory with Chinese Characteristics of Lanzhou University, Research Center of Basic Principles of Political Economy of Lanzhou University, Research Center of Construction of Clean and Honest Administration of Gansu Province, and Research Center of Construction of Clean and Honest Administration of Lanzhou University.

Centered on the teaching and research of Marxist theory, the school finished up with some significant research achievements in its own approach. In the past five years, the school was approved of over 30 research programs, including major and key programs of national and ministerial level, programs of the National Social Science Fund of China, programs of Social Science Planning of Ministry of Education, as well as those of Social Science Planning of Gansu Province. Great achievements are also made in the research of politics with Chinese characteristics, economy, culture, society, ecology, ideological education as well as the stability of the western Chinese frontiers. Hundreds of articles were published at important journals like Studies on Marxism, Marxism & Reality, Contemporary World & Socialism, Teaching and Research, World Economics and Politics, and Cass Journal of Political Science, etc. Many series of books were published by important publishing agencies such as People’s Publishing House, China Social Science Press, etc. And over 20 results of research programs are highly recognized by Central Government leaders and related departments.

We will stay true to the founding mission of the party, and keep pressing ahead in our cause. Persuant to the University motto “always strive with bravery to carve out a unique way” and the excellent tradition of “seeking truth with industriousness and enterprise”, we make great efforts to build a significant national platform for the teaching, research and spreading of Marxist Theory and for cultivation of talents in this field.