Education >>Key Academic Discipline of Shanghai (Second Phase)
A Brief Introduction of the Academic Discipline of International Trade
The academic discipline of international trade in SIFT focuses on the core field of study: the study of the World Trade Organization (WTO) multilateral trade system and the transformation of China’s trading system. Two relatively new fields of study, the study of the integration of regional trade and economy and the study of international trade models, are the backbones of the discipline. Overall, the discipline has established basic trade theories and a trade policy framework that stand for the fundamental interests of China against the background of the integration of the global economy.
The Strength of the Discipline of International Trade
After more than 20 years of research and study of the GATT/WTO multilateral trade system, a lot has been achieved in the three main fields of study in SIFT. First of all, a number of outstanding leading academics have appeared and an academic echelon has been formed in the academic discipline of international trade. The academics are working on a number of research projects funded by the National Philosophy and Social Science Foundation, as well as important research projects funded the Chinese Ministry of Commerce and by the Shanghai municipality. Together the academics in this discipline have published results of research projects, academic books and theses with national and international impact. Their research achievements have prepared theoretical and academic support for China’s reentry into GATT, China’s negotiation for WTO membership, and trade negotiations and the settlement of trade disputes following China’s accession to the WTO.
The study of the integration of regional trade and economy and the study of international trade models are two cutting-edge fields of study that SIFT has proudly developed from its research and study of the WTO multilateral trading system. On the one hand, both studies continue and complement the study of the multilateral trading system and play an important role in the further development of China’s international trade. On the other hand, they are also in line with the school’s objectives. The study of international trade models is based on the study of commercial models of international enterprises against the background of the integration of supply chains. This study represents a step forward in international trade studies.
The Main Features of the Discipline of International Trade
From classical economists like Adam Smith and David Recardo to modern economists like Paul Krugman, economists have created economic theories that represented the contemporary trade interests of their own countries. Likewise, the academic echelon of SIFT, under the leadership of Professor Wang Xinkui, is exerting its wisdom and efforts to develop trade strategy and a trade policy system that will help China, a developing country currently changing economic tracks, to grow from a trade-intensive economy to a strong economy with high-value trade. Therefore it is the basic characteristic of the discipline of international trade in SIFT to study and to settle theoretical questions that arise in China’s actual trade activities. It is incumbent upon China’s academic discipline of international trade to do so.
The Outlook of the Discipline of International Trade
Each developing country, especially each large developing country, is considering the same question: how to maximize its trade interest when competing with its developed counterparts so as to one day become as strong as they are. The international trade theories that China can develop will help find the solution to this question.
Without people like Friedrich List, Germany today would not be the same. Without people like Alaxander Hamilton, United States of American today would not be the same. Likewise, to grow into a strong country of high-value trade, China requires the emergence of such economists as List or Hamilton as well as a talented research echelon in the discipline of international trade. They are challenged to explain and settle the more complicated issues and questions of today’s international trade. Such ever-growing challenges are the reasons why the academic discipline of international trade has never ceased to grow and develop over the past 400 years. They are also the reasons behind the choice of the three fields of study.
Key Disciplines
International Trade
The speciality of International trade is a key subject constructed by Shanghai Educational committee. The study period lasts for four years.
The subject nurtures the operational and managerial professionals of foreign economics and trade for the foreign economics and trade enterprises, the foreign-fund companies, multinationals and financial organs, who master modern international economics and trade theories and professional techniques and have strong ability to communicate in English and who can adapt themselves to the needs posed by our country’s “ great economic and trade” development.
Major courses include: macroeconomics, microeconomics, accounting, statistics, currency banks, finance, international economics, international commerce and trade system, international trade practice, China’s foreign trade, international technology transfer, international economic cooperation, international commerce law, management principles, financial management, English correspondence in foreign trade and economics.
Business English
Business English is a key subject constructed by Shanghai Education Committee, the studying period lasting for four years. It has three directions:
English (Business English ) four years
This speciality fosters high-quality professionals for foreign economics and trade departments and enterprises, the foreign invested companies, multinationals or China’s overseas enterprises, who are acquainted with basic international trade theories , versed in international general practices , acquire solid basis for English language and the convincing competence in English listening, speaking, reading, writing and translating, especially the ability to apply business English. Students from this subject will also accumulate thorough knowledge about English society and culture and will master at least a second foreign language (French or Japanese).
Major courses include: comprehensive English, intensive Reading, English listening and speaking, business English, English reading and writing, translation theories and practices, English correspondence for foreign economics and trade, English writing for foreign economics and trade, trade talks in English, cross-culture communication, selected readings of British and American Literature, selected readings from English Journals, advanced business English writing, business English-Chinese translation (interpretation), microeconomics, macroeconomics, international trade practices, international finance, commercial law international, marketing principles, the second foreign language( Japanese and French)
English language( Translation) four years
This speciality is to nurture professionals for the governmental foreign organizations, foreign enterprises, international conventions, press and media organs and foreign economics and trade enterprises groups. Students from this speciality will accumulate sufficient English knowledge, acquire a broad and solid basis for economics and trade, and will be eligible to translate foreign business documents and interpret for all kinds of economics and trade negotiations.
Major courses include: intensive reading, extensive reading, listening, oral English, business English, advanced English, advanced business English writing, selected writings from English journals, Chinese conspectus, translating theories, English-Chinese translation, English-Chinese interpretation, Chinese-English translation, Chinese-English interpretation, language and culture, macroeconomics, microeconomics, international trade, commercial law international, marketing principles, second foreign language.
English language (International Economic News Reporting) four years
This speciality is to cultivate personnel of compound abilities for press or media organs, or the public relationship department of enterprises, who will accumulate adequate knowledge of English language, master the special knowledge and basic techniques of journalism, be familiar with the basic principles and concepts of the world economics or trade .
Major courses include: English intensive reading, extensive reading, listening, oral English, business English, advanced English, English writing, concepts of journalism, press and law, English news gathering and writing, press and media editing, press and media management, microeconomics, macroeconomics, international trade, commercial law international, marketing principles, second foreign language.
