Chunhui Lecture | Wang Zhanpeng: Disciplinary Connotations of Country and Area Studies and Identity Expansion of Foreign Language Disciplines

On the afternoon of October 25th, Professor Wang Zhanpeng from Beijing Foreign Studies University (BFSU) was invited to the “Chunhui Lecture” of the School of Foreign Languages, where he delivered a fascinating speech to the teachers and students in Lecture Room 290. Wang Lisong, Dean of the School of Foreign Languages, along with Dean’s assistants Wu Yulian and Gou Yanjun, and over 50 teachers and students attended the lecture. The lecture was presided over by Vice Dean Liu Jiaji.

Professor Wang began the lecture with an exploration of the disciplinary connotations of country and area studies. He combined some practical case studies from BFSU’s research on English-speaking countries, and examined how foreign language disciplines could leverage their strengths under new circumstances. He then discussed the expansion of the discipline’s identity in terms of knowledge systems, talent cultivation, scientific research innovation, social services, and think-tank construction. The lecture aimed to achieve mutual promotion and joint development between foreign languages studies and country and area studies, thereby better serving our national needs.

Professor Wang Zhanpeng’s lecture was profound yet easy to understand, and thought-provoking. The audience was fully attentive and took notes dedicatedly. During the interactive Q&A session, both teachers and students engaged in friendly and enthusiastic exchanges with Professor Wang.