From August 21st to 25th, 2024, the inaugural American Studies Summer Workshop was successfully held. The workshop was co-hosted by the Joint Institute for American Studies of the Ministry of Education of the PRC (JIAS) and the Chinese Association of American Studies, with organizational support from the Center for American Studies at Fudan University (CAS Fudan). This workshop aimed to enhance American studies in the new era and foster the development of academic talent, particularly targeting young scholars, postdoctoral researchers, and doctoral students across China. A total of 34 participants from 23 institutes, including the Institute of American Studies at Chinese Academy of Social Sciences (IAS CASS), Peking University, Tsinghua University, Renmin University of China, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and others, attended the workshop.
(Group photo of participants)
The workshop's opening ceremony took place on the morning of August 21. Prof. Wu Xinbo, Director of CAS Fudan and Dean of JIAS, and Prof. Ni Feng, Director of IAS CASS, delivered speeches. Prof. Zhao Minghao, Deputy Director of CAS Fudan presided over the workshop's opening ceremony.
(Opening ceremony)
In his speech, Prof. Wu Xinbo emphasized the importance of adapting to the demands of a new era, especially in the field of American studies in China. He highlighted the significant transformations in U.S. politics, society, culture, and foreign policy since the mid-2010s, urging Chinese researchers to take on new challenges. He expressed hope that through this workshop, participants would strengthen their capabilities, broaden their perspectives, and conduct deeper research into U.S. domestic and foreign policies, as well as China-U.S. relations, contributing to the development of China's independent knowledge system in American studies.
(Speech by Prof. Wu Xinbo)
Prof. Ni Feng remarked on the substantial progress Chinese scholars have made in researching U.S. politics, economics, and foreign policy in recent years. However, he noted that there remains significant room for improvement to meet both national needs and academic development goals. He encouraged participants to adopt diverse research methods and perspectives and to engage more with various U.S. groups to better understand the underlying causes of U.S. domestic and foreign policy changes. He also urged participants to leverage the workshop as a platform for learning and exchange, with the aim of becoming future leaders in American studies in China.
(Speech by Prof. Ni Feng)
The five-day workshop was divided into two main components: lectures and a thesis workshop. Leading scholars delivered lectures, including Prof. Ni Feng, Prof. Wu Xinbo, Prof. Song Guoyou (Deputy Director of CAS Fudan), Prof. Li Wei (Vice Dean of the School of International Studies at Renmin University of China), Prof. Jia Min (Centre for American Studies at East China Normal University), Prof. Xin Qiang (Deputy Director of CAS Fudan), Prof. Yu Zhen (Director of the Institute for the U.S. and Canadian Economics at Wuhan University), Xu Yihua (Director of the Center for Religion and International Relations at Fudan University), Prof. Zhao Minghao, and Prof. Wang Dong (Deputy Director of the Office for Humanities and Social Sciences at Peking University). They shared insights on research methods, topic selection, and improving research abilities, while engaging in extensive discussions with the participants.
(Lectures of the First “American Studies Summer Workshop”)
In addition, the thesis workshop was led by scholars and editors, including Prof. Wei Zongyou (Executive Editor of Fudan American Review), Prof. Liu Weidong (Executive Editor of Contemporary American Review), Assoc. Prof. Wang Hao (CAS Fudan), Assis. Prof. Fu Shu (School of International and Public Affairs at Shanghai Jiao Tong University), and Prof. Zhao Mei (Deputy Editor of The Chinese Journal of American Studies). Participants presented their research on topics such as the U.S. industrial policy, AI strategy, financial sanctions, legal systems, religious factions, and U.S.-Latin American relations. This was followed by lively discussions and valuable feedback.
(Experts guiding participants during the thesis workshop)
(Participant discussions during the thesis workshop)
On the afternoon of August 25, the workshop concluded with a brief closing ceremony. Zhang Guoxi, Associate Professor at Sichuan International Studies University, and Liu Yumo, a doctoral student at Tsinghua University, spoke on behalf of the participants. Prof. Wu Xinbo and Prof. Zhao Mei presented certificates to the participants. The attendees expressed their appreciation for the workshop’s focus on contemporary American studies and the practical guidance offered by the experts, which they found highly beneficial for their academic development. The workshop covered both theoretical and policy-related dimensions of American studies, further supporting the growth of young scholars in the field.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Wu Xinbo encouraged participants to fully grasp the new challenges, tasks, and opportunities within American studies. He urged them to pursue research in areas such as regional studies, national security, and international relations, to enhance their capabilities, innovate in their work, and deepen their understanding, contributing to the establishment of a robust American studies community in China.
(Closing ceremony of the First “American Studies Summer Workshop”)
(Prof. Wu Xinbo presenting certificates to participants)
