20世纪五六十年代由中国人民大学与中国科学院哲学社会科学学部（今中国社会科学院）文学研究所共同举办的文艺理论研究班（简称“文研班”），不仅对当时的文艺理论与批评产生巨大影响，而且还为新时期文艺理论和文艺批评培养了一批领军性人才。研究“十七年”文学史，就要关注“文研班”现象。在首届“文研班”学员开学典礼上，周扬正式宣布何其芳为“文研班”班主任。在“文研班”，何其芳以“广而专”的教学理念要求学员。
何其芳以学者的大度与执着体现了特殊背景下政治与学术的共时存在。

A Graduate Class for Literary Theory Studies was jointly held by Renmin University of China and Literary Research Department of Chinese Social Sciences Institute during the 1950s and 1960s. The Class not only influenced theory of literature and criticism at that time，but also cultivated many leading talents of theory of literature and criticism for the new period. Studying the history of seventeen years literature requires us to pay attention to the phenomenon about“the Graduate Class for Literary Studies at Renmin University of China”, with He Qifang announced as the head teacher by Zhou Yang at the opening ceremony of the first batch of students. He Qifang advocated the teaching concept that students should have extensive and professional knowledge. Entangled in politics and academic, he showed helplessness，generosity and persistence.