Interdisciplinary Study
The Application of Comprehensive Understanding in Interdisciplinary Study for English Undergraduates Learning International Business
The Application of Comprehensive Understanding in
Interdisciplinary Study for English Undergraduates Learning
International Business
Abstract
This paper characterizes an emerging research area, interdisciplinary study that focuses on the comprehensive study methods for English undergraduates learning International Business courses. Most contemporary interdisciplinary studies are focused on science and medical areas. However, in this paper, research in liberal arts area uses and extends ideas about the relationship between English Undergraduate courses and International Business courses.
This thesis …show more content…
is divided into three parts. The first part is the mutual influence of these two disciplines. Further progress, therefore, should be possible by characterizing different kinds of methods and identifying the study processes that can be used to manage them. Methods analyzed include complementary method and transference method. The next section of the paper indicates aspects of applying an interdisciplinary perspective in real working environment and the benefit of such kind of application could bring to oneself and to society. The working experience in an international organization demonstrates the demand of interdisciplinary talents. The next factor to be considered is the introspection of current education system and how we should respond to it. Then such spontaneous interdisciplinary initiatives are laid out in aspects of the intellectual improvement in lateral and vertical thinking. This paper ends with a brief but general conclusion that the significance of awareness to the interdisciplinary study outside the field of science and what we need to do.
Key words: Interdisciplinary study; methods; application
The Application of Comprehensive Understanding in
Interdisciplinary Study for English Undergraduates Learning
International Business
Outline
Thesis Statement: A survey into interdisciplinary study would facilitate the learning of both subjects and promote the higher education training on interdisciplinary college graduates who can be competitive to fulfill the needs of market. I. Introduction
II. The Relations between English Undergraduate Courses and International Business Courses
A. The Role of International Business Playing in English Undergraduate Courses
1. Enrichment of Course Content and Improvement of Efficiency
2. Conduciveness to Discipline Integrity
B. The Role of English Playing in International Business Courses
1. Improvement of Efficiency
2. Importance in International Stage
III. Methods of Interdisciplinary Study Research A. Complementary Method
B. Transference Method
IV. The Practical Application of the Combination of these two Disciplines A. Working Experience in International Business Related Organization B. The Benefits and Necessity of Learning and Application of both Subjects
V. Conclusion
The Application of Comprehensive Understanding in
Interdisciplinary Study for English Undergraduates Learning
International Business
I. Introduction
What might students in BA of English and BE of International Business program have in common? Interdisciplinary study is not a new topic for the international academic world. It has been practiced in many fields, like Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biomathematics, Bioengineering and certain new disciplines were derived for its enormous impact on humanism actions. The significance of the training to interdisciplinary talents can be perceived from the fund direction of UN and other international organizations. While among all the eleven disciplines (Philosophy, Economics, Law, Pedagogy, Arts, History, Science, Engineering, Agronomy, Iatrology and Management) as Ministry of Education classified, the disciplines of Arts and Economics are seldom put on the desk. Therefore, this paper tries to discuss how the study of Arts and Economics influence and complement each other.
Apart from the new perspectives on these two crossed disciplines, interdisciplinary study would also benefit the integrity of college education. Interdisciplinary Study involves researchers, students, and teachers in the goals of connecting and integrating several academic schools of thought, professions, or technologies - along with their specific perspectives - in the pursuit of a common task.1 As one of the most important components of interdisciplinary study, comprehensive understanding is a crucial element for undergraduates learning a different discipline. Two methods were frequently used in this study: complementary and transference methods. Many worldly renowned scientific discoveries and establishment of important disciplines are the best example to demonstrate the significance of these two methods.2
One goal of this paper is to summarize and stimulate development of theories that can help with this work. This new research area - the interdisciplinary study of arts and commerce - draws upon a variety of different disciplines including Economic Cybernetics and the establishment of DNA Double Helix. Thanks to those researchers’ efforts, many of the breakthroughs have benefited us for a long time. By summarizing this diverse body of work in a way that emphasizes its common themes, we hope to define a community of interest and to suggest useful directions for future progress.
Further more, this paper explained the practical application of interdisciplinary learning outcomes in work place. The ultimate object of academic research is that it can benefit our environment, humane actions and globalization efficiency. When it comes to the game of “survival of the fittest”, the workplace always favor the candidates who can combine the qualities of sound basic knowledge, practical skills, accomplishment and social experience. General education has been greatly advocated for nearly half a century. The main goal of general education is to overcome the drawbacks of branching subjects into single area. However, most of the college disciplines are still staying on the level of independent study. It is initiative that higher education universities like world renowned Cornell has carried out courses lectured by professors from different departments like human development, law and history, communications. Therefore, in the process of study any discipline, we should break the limits of what we are told by books and by other people and develop a sense of individual research outside the textbooks.
II. The Relations between English Undergraduate Courses and International Business Courses
A. The Role of International Business Playing in English Undergraduate Courses
1. Enrichment of Course Content and Improvement of Efficiency
The role that International business plays in English undergraduate courses is fully indicated in the courses of Legal English Translation and Business English. Foreign Economic Law is one class that every international business student was required to take. It enumerates, iterates and codifies the economic legal systems of China including investment law, intellectual law concerning foreign affairs, commodity inspection and customs law and so on. By learning this course, students could develop a sense of legal documents which is quite different from the reading style we are familiar with.
The first step of translation is to understand the content and context. However, many students would encounter the understanding problem when run into articles of law. For example, Joint Venture Enterprise, Cooperative Enterprise, Limited Liability Company and Stock-Limited Company are clearly stated the differences in the courses of International Business.5 However, when students are trying to translate certain articles, they find that their thoughts were jammed by the first terminology they see. Though the study of International business is closely related to mathematics, conceptions and terms are the base. Acquaintance with the fundamental knowledge of the target article would greatly improve the translation efficiency and accuracy.
The following sentence is commonly used in documents of dispute resolution: “If a party requires an interpreter in the course of the arbitration proceedings or an English translation of the arbitration instruments, it may request the secretariat or the Arbitration Committee to provide the necessary assistance, provide that it shall undertake to bear the costs incurred.”6 The word “instrument” is not indicated in ordinary dictionary with the meaning as “a legal document” at all, and “provided that”, with the meaning of “nonetheless”, is also not frequently used except in legal documentations. In this sense, if a student who is already familiar with the rigid legal jargons and complicated sentences of law, his or her enthusiasm to translation and accuracy would be greatly enhanced.
2. Conduciveness to Discipline Integrity
Surely, an English undergraduate would not be required to study the history, status quo and the development prospect of foreign economic law. Nonetheless, a basic understanding of certain concepts would best facilitate the translation and the efficiency in class. What’s more, the students who had chosen English to Chinese and Chinese to English translations as undergraduate major may wish to pursue further and more specific translation study areas after graduation. These areas can be law translation, literary translation, engineering translation etc. A holistic study and comprehension at the undergraduate level would be greatly helpful for students to identify their positions thus make efficient decisions for future success. Sometimes, it is exactly these intersection areas that benefit us the most because we get rid of the fixed-way of thinking of the paradigm and create our own edges.
B. The Role of English Playing in International Business Courses
1. Improvement of Efficiency
Owing to its long-time colonial expansion, cultural influence, economic and technological strength, the language Britain and American used has become the dominant language of international trade world. Therefore, it is inevitable that Business English and English Writing for Foreign Trade are two pivotal courses in the study of International Business. If a person does not have a solid base of English vocabulary, grammar and writing skills, it would cause misunderstandings and mistakes in business communication. What’s more, for a better career position, excellent English speaking and writing capabilities would bring one’s talents in business into full play. If a manager is adept in international commercial intercourse but unable to communicate effectively with trade partners, it is relatively incompetent for him to contend with his rivals and a light negligence could jeopardize their economic interest.
As a result of language discrepancy and the complexity of transaction process, the conditions, behaviors, and problems of international business make it much more challenging than domestic business. For example, a person who can communicate quite effectively with his colleagues in office was raised to a level where he needs to deal business with clients. Most of the situation is in a golf course or a high-end party instead of in a negotiation room. At this time, the light and funny talk may not cover many business terms but, beyond question, contribute enormously to some deals. At this time, how to deal with the social aspects of conversation becomes the tricky problem where require the person in the middle of the challenge to develop a kind of deep understanding to the clients’ country and background.
As the most commonly used language in contemporary international trade, business English correspondence goes through every link of it. Furthermore, business English includes certain special terminology which requires special training and learning. It is like that a translator will have a hard time to do the job an interpreter do because their English language knowledge structure is different. The following example could best explain why Specific terminology needs to be learned.
We are importers of textiles and manufactured cotton piece goods. We have recently concluded some satisfactory business with Daqing Da Shen Trading Company. We now have a good demand for the captioned item and therefore write you in the hope of establishing business relations. From your recent published catalogue, we notice that you are able to supply Printed and Dyed Cotton Piece Goods, and we should be grateful if you would kindly send us some samples of the goods which you can supply together with a price list giving details of packing and gross and net weight so as to enable us to go fully into the possibilities of business.
We look forward to your early news in this respect and trust that through our mutual cooperation we shall be able to conclude some transactions with you in the near future.7
The underlined words are hard to catch without enough understanding to business words. We usually understand “conclude” as reaching a conclusion or decide by reasoning8, but here it means complete business successfully. “Captioned item” can also be as confusing as possible. Here it means the items on the list. “Packaging”, “gross” and “net weight” are also technical terms in business. Even for an English major whose English vocabulary is over 10000, he or she may lose idea on the comprehension of such an article.
2. Importance in International Stage
The membership in World Trade Organization made China in urgent need of English talents with WTO idea and perceptions. As for the form, the receipts were written in English and the negotiations were in English. As for the content, apart from the product itself, most of the items, clause of transactions are closely connected with the rules and standards in the courses of International Business because all the settlements of arguments and disputes were rooted with legal regulations. Therefore, people who are engaged in the International business should be familiar with the content of regulations in English and be able to have a good command of professional knowledge. In order to promote the dynamic integration of interdisciplinary research and interdisciplinary education, a significant number of universities around the world have set up various forms of Interdisciplinary Research Center to act as a “bridge” to connect different disciplines and subjects. Such Interdisciplinary Research Centers connect teaching and scientific research, department and outside the department, school and outside the school, universities and companies so as to provide valuable platforms for students to develop the comprehensive abilities.
III. Methods of Interdisciplinary Study Research
It is an almost universal phenomenon that interdisciplinary study occurs in science in an all-round way especially in solving the global problems. The multi-disciplinary experience, as self organized collaborative activities, should be served as reference in education reform. A key insight of the relationship between English and International Business has been presented to demonstrate that these two courses are closely related. Then, a variety of processes are analyzed from this perspective and commonalities across disciplines are identified.
A. Transference Method
The transference method means that an individual researcher or a community of a certain discipline that he/she engaged in veers to another discipline or a specialty. And the conceptions, principles, methods or techniques of the original discipline are transplanted to a new discipline or a specialty. Classified by its directions, it can be divided into following conditions: from lower grade to higher grade; from fundamental studies to applied studies; from natural science field to social science filed; from single discipline to cross-discipline.3
A lot of cross disciplinary studies are formed and established by the transference method. The establishment of Economical Cybernetics is a prime example. Norbert Winer realized that the principles and methods of Cybernetics can be extended to Economics by late 1940s. Since then, all the experts of Cybernetics transferred to the field of Economics. On the other hand, economists also made significant contribution to it. In 1950s, economists Philips and Alan introduced transfer function, feedback, oscillation and stability theory in Economics which inspired the passion of economists to Economical Cybernetics. Although generally speaking, the direct motivation of the establishment of Economical Cybernetics is the interest shift to Economic field of Cybernetics experts.
The embodiment of transference method in studying English and International Business lies in the courses of Linguistics and Probability and statistics. The 0-1 distribution of discrete random variables corresponds with the complementary antonymy of sense relations in Linguistics. 0-1 distribution is one of the most important discrete random variables in Probability. The random variable X=0(when A happens); X=1(when A does not happen) which means that there are only two results of the random phenomenon. The complementary antonymy means antonyms like alive and dead; male and female; innocent and guilty. That is to say the denial of one also means the assertions of the other. These two theories happen to have the same principle of learning. This theory similarity proved that the more one learns about one of the two disciplines, the deeper one could understand the other one.
Despite it is very unlikely that a new discipline would come into being from English and business, because both of these two disciplines are not within the range of science after all. And it is disputable that whether a person must master a subject in order to make a difference. The truth is that the combination of them would greatly enhance a person’s starting point when begin a career and provoke many thoughts during the study – the theory of international business could increase the substantial content of English courses and in return, the insights to western culture could develop an intrinsic perspective for a person’s future success.
B. Complementary Method
Complementary method is a kind of cooperative method that the knowledge of different disciplines and professions complement with each other. Specifically speaking, different subjects’ knowledge of one study area complements each other; methodological and objective knowledge complement each other; fundamental and applied researches complement each other; natural science, philosophy and social science complement each other. Such kind of “corporation” could break through the limits of highly differentiated knowledge, solve the problems that independent researcher could not figure out, shorten the span of scientific research and increase the efficiency.4
One instance of complementary method we are very familiar with is the establishment of Double Helix structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. We know that Watson is a zoologist and a phages geneticist while Crick is a physicist who analyzes large biological molecule with Crystallography. Both of these two scientists were influenced by the pamphlet What is Life written by Schrodinger. After their meeting in Cambridge, carried with the same ambition to unveil the mysteries of gene, they made full play of their talents and complemented each other on thoughts and methods. Such kind of cross effect came into being and the DNA structure problem was solved by them in short 18 moths. The magic of cross effect has been noticed and taken seriously by prestigious universities of the western world. The comprehensive interdisciplinary courses were highlighted in the education reform of Britain, French and Germany. The curriculum setting of Cambridge University, University of Paris and University of Berlin is moving toward the direction of integration.
Like any other disciplines, a sound knowledge base of International Business is the beginning for further development no matter in management study or in a real business world. While almost all Chinese language students have the learning habit of reciting, memorizing and repeating, they could use those language study method in memorizing the terms and conceptions in Business. For example, in the course of International Investment, as the main body of international direct investment, the features of multinational corporations cover five major points: 1. Global Goal; 2. Inside Integration; 3. Open Operation; 4. Transnational Production and Management; 5. Technology Internalization9. It is hollow and meaningless to repeat these features again and again to memorize them. We can use GIOMT as a mnemonic way to summarizing these components: G=Global Goal, I=Inside Integration, O=Open Operation, M= Transnational Production and Management, T= Technology Internalization.
Ⅳ. The Practical Application of the Combination of these two Disciplines
Problems of all walks of life are the impetuses that keep us learning. Any discipline, if brings out numerous questions and problems to us everyday, can be regarded as full of vitality. The best way to explore these questions is to practice what we have learnt in actual operation. In this way, we can discover problems again and again and make revisions continuously.
A. Working Experience in International Business Related Organization
No matter as an English student or as a Business student, when it comes to future career, he or she is most likely to be employed in public or private international organizations.
The most common form is transnational corporation or international organizations in which he or she is required to be proficient in both English and equipped with business wisdom.
A case in point is that in the final workshop of Sichuan Bamboo Investment Tour, all the participants were grouped into several tables. The participants were entrepreneurs from home and abroad as well as government officials who were given a platform to share their information and put forward problems that they had encountered in the tour or in the process of developing bamboo industry and enterprises. Each of these tables was in need of a host who should be proficient in English as well as be familiar with the operation process of international investment and corporations. Only a person who had a good knowledge on both disciplines could lead those participants speak out the valuable information. I mean, who would want to talk out their problems to a person who doesn’t know anything about international business? A sound knowledge of both disciplines means an enormously tractive effect to all kinds of …show more content…
organizations.
It dose not mean that every student should learn a second degree or we need a grand-scale higher education reform. The point is that at the first two years of university, students should be encouraged to find their real interest. Whether they wish to pursue further as a scholar or experience the society first or whether they want to be specialized in one area or to be Jack of all trades. Most importantly, may be educators should try not to split the humanities and science so far since high school. I believe that many people may point out that how could students managed to achieve a decent performance to a second discipline even when he or she can not manage one. However, the truth is that the exposure to a new discipline may just as well open a new world for students who already lost interest to the original one and encourage them to foster a better world outlook, views on life and values.
B. The Benefits and Necessity of Learning and Application of both Subjects
The study of International business is closely related to mathematics. Mathematic ability is the base for future market analysis which means vertical (logic) thinking is the key. Contrarily, most language students are good at lateral (divergent) thinking. Only when a person has been trained in both vertical thinking and lateral thinking, can one solve a problem in the best fashion. For example, in the chapter of revenue of the book Foreign Economic Law, the items of Corporate Income Tax, personal Income Tax, Commodity Tax, Property Tax and so on are resembling and their conceptions are easily to be confused but each of them have similarities at the same time. It is barely efficient to recite them one by one. A chart would make good use of both vertical and lateral thinking. The dropline is the names of different revenues and longitudinal line is the body, the incidence of taxation，the taxation bases，the tax calculation，the tax preference, the tax administration, liabilities and treatment of disputes.10
Thus, thick and obscure book became legible and vivid charts where the differences and similarities are open-and-shut. We can see clearly from this example that only one thinking pattern can hardly be made full use of the time we devote on it. If there is only vertical thinking, the thoughts can be boundless and far from reality and inefficient when solving practical problems; if there is only lateral thinking, the thoughts would be stereotyped and forget that there are other solutions and perspectives to the problem. Sometimes, lateral thinking can be even better than vertical thinking when the latter one can hardly be used to solve a problem. We can see from this that interdisciplinary study is a commendable way in thinking training which is not only beneficial in learning knowledge but also helpful in solving other problems.
Interdisciplinary research is the challenge and revolution to individual discipline as well as the substantial breakthrough to human recognition and transformation.
It is an inevitable that such a trend will renew our future world of scientific and technological development. The interrelations and laws among things are protruding in the teaching of many disciplines. This character determines that the interactions between disciplines are crucial because any discipline requires the support of other disciplines. The clashes of different branches of learning would stimulate innovative study methods which would make learning become a rewarding and interesting process. This process also inspires us to keep learning—not to memorize abundant volume of knowledge but to find out the necessary information as soon as possible and carry out individual thinking with
it.
Therefore, when we are studying the things we need to know but boring, we should in the first place jump out the rules and regulations and find out how to rise up interest. For example, we shouldn’t study grammar first when picking up a new language and we shouldn’t recite all the formulas first when learning mathematics, but in the way that Robert Frank encourages his students learning economics--telling interesting stories of our daily life that can be solved with economic perspectives. The point is, in the process of entering an ever-narrowing funnel of specialization, one should still keep one’s mind open and clear and seize the things one really likes. All we can decide is what we think right now, what we should learn, which direction we should veer, and be prepared to keep making revisions. The best learning method is always the one we summarize through trial and error by ourselves. And in return, the process confer us a strong sense of self-esteem.
Ⅴ. Conclusion
The theories, methods, thoughts and practice of interdisciplinary study are not only extremely valuable to the construction of discipline itself, but also beneficial to the educational and economic development, harmony of human and society, human and nature. Therefore, in the application of theory construction, science experiments and social practice, we must improve our awareness of interdisciplinary study and observe the methods that connect them.
When two disciplines were together, they would not only constantly complement each other but challenge each other and innovate in the study as well as educational process. While much work remains to be done, it appears that this approach can build upon much previous work in these different disciplines to help solve a variety of immediate practical needs, including: difficult employment, rigid education style, comprehensive competitiveness of our country. Graduate of such disciplines are also in demand. We must reflect on the current situation and take actions as much as we can.
Conducting interdisciplinary research is a kind of innovation, and innovation is not only about inventing a new machine or a new drug. It is about inventing our own way of study and living. Not following a path, but making our own path and envision new ways to make our life interesting. The true purpose of education is recognizing, despite everything that our upbringing has trained we to believe about ourselves, and interdisciplinary study is one of the many ways to practice it. No matter what we learn from books, they are the thinking products of predecessors’ effort. Only when we create our own way of study and assimilation, can we fulfill the real purpose of education and bring prosperity to our society.
Notes
1 Thomas W.Malone and Kevin Crownston, “The Interdisciplinary Study of Coordination,” Computing Surveys, (March 1994), 87.
2 解恩译，《跨学科研究思想方法》，济南：山东教育出版社，1994年， 第25页。
3 同上，第27页。
4 同上，第28页。
5 孙万彪，《汉英法律翻译教程》，上海：上海外语教育出版社，2010年，第11页。
6 同上，第184页。
7 谢江南、何加红，《实用英语写作》，北京：首都经济贸易大学出版社，2005年， 第214页。
8 http://wordnet.princeton.edu/
9 綦建红，《国际投资学教程》，北京：清华大学出版社，2008年，第124页。
10 盛杰明，《涉外经济法》，北京：中国人民大学出版社，2004年，第308页。
Bibliography
Malone, Thomas W., and Crownston, Kevin. “The Interdisciplinary Study of
Coordination.” Computing Surveys(March 1994), 87-119.
綦建红主编 《国际投资学教程》，北京：清华大学出版社，2008。
盛杰明等编 《涉外经济法》，北京：中国人民大学出版社，2004。
孙万彪编著 《汉英法律翻译教程》，上海：上海外语教育出版社，2010。
解恩译主编 《跨学科研究思想方法》，济南：山东教育出版社，1994。
谢江南、何加红编著 《实用英语写作》，北京：首都经济贸易大学出版社，2005。
The Application of Comprehensive Understanding in
Interdisciplinary Study for English Undergraduates Learning
International Business
Abstract
This paper characterizes an emerging research area, interdisciplinary study that focuses on the comprehensive study methods for English undergraduates learning International Business courses. Most contemporary interdisciplinary studies are focused on science and medical areas. However, in this paper, research in liberal arts area uses and extends ideas about the relationship between English Undergraduate courses and International Business courses.
This thesis …show more content…
is divided into three parts. The first part is the mutual influence of these two disciplines. Further progress, therefore, should be possible by characterizing different kinds of methods and identifying the study processes that can be used to manage them. Methods analyzed include complementary method and transference method. The next section of the paper indicates aspects of applying an interdisciplinary perspective in real working environment and the benefit of such kind of application could bring to oneself and to society. The working experience in an international organization demonstrates the demand of interdisciplinary talents. The next factor to be considered is the introspection of current education system and how we should respond to it. Then such spontaneous interdisciplinary initiatives are laid out in aspects of the intellectual improvement in lateral and vertical thinking. This paper ends with a brief but general conclusion that the significance of awareness to the interdisciplinary study outside the field of science and what we need to do.
Key words: Interdisciplinary study; methods; application
The Application of Comprehensive Understanding in
Interdisciplinary Study for English Undergraduates Learning
International Business
Outline
Thesis Statement: A survey into interdisciplinary study would facilitate the learning of both subjects and promote the higher education training on interdisciplinary college graduates who can be competitive to fulfill the needs of market. I. Introduction
II. The Relations between English Undergraduate Courses and International Business Courses
A. The Role of International Business Playing in English Undergraduate Courses
1. Enrichment of Course Content and Improvement of Efficiency
2. Conduciveness to Discipline Integrity
B. The Role of English Playing in International Business Courses
1. Improvement of Efficiency
2. Importance in International Stage
III. Methods of Interdisciplinary Study Research A. Complementary Method
B. Transference Method
IV. The Practical Application of the Combination of these two Disciplines A. Working Experience in International Business Related Organization B. The Benefits and Necessity of Learning and Application of both Subjects
V. Conclusion
The Application of Comprehensive Understanding in
Interdisciplinary Study for English Undergraduates Learning
International Business
I. Introduction
What might students in BA of English and BE of International Business program have in common? Interdisciplinary study is not a new topic for the international academic world. It has been practiced in many fields, like Biochemistry, Biophysics, Biomathematics, Bioengineering and certain new disciplines were derived for its enormous impact on humanism actions. The significance of the training to interdisciplinary talents can be perceived from the fund direction of UN and other international organizations. While among all the eleven disciplines (Philosophy, Economics, Law, Pedagogy, Arts, History, Science, Engineering, Agronomy, Iatrology and Management) as Ministry of Education classified, the disciplines of Arts and Economics are seldom put on the desk. Therefore, this paper tries to discuss how the study of Arts and Economics influence and complement each other.
Apart from the new perspectives on these two crossed disciplines, interdisciplinary study would also benefit the integrity of college education. Interdisciplinary Study involves researchers, students, and teachers in the goals of connecting and integrating several academic schools of thought, professions, or technologies - along with their specific perspectives - in the pursuit of a common task.1 As one of the most important components of interdisciplinary study, comprehensive understanding is a crucial element for undergraduates learning a different discipline. Two methods were frequently used in this study: complementary and transference methods. Many worldly renowned scientific discoveries and establishment of important disciplines are the best example to demonstrate the significance of these two methods.2
One goal of this paper is to summarize and stimulate development of theories that can help with this work. This new research area - the interdisciplinary study of arts and commerce - draws upon a variety of different disciplines including Economic Cybernetics and the establishment of DNA Double Helix. Thanks to those researchers’ efforts, many of the breakthroughs have benefited us for a long time. By summarizing this diverse body of work in a way that emphasizes its common themes, we hope to define a community of interest and to suggest useful directions for future progress.
Further more, this paper explained the practical application of interdisciplinary learning outcomes in work place. The ultimate object of academic research is that it can benefit our environment, humane actions and globalization efficiency. When it comes to the game of “survival of the fittest”, the workplace always favor the candidates who can combine the qualities of sound basic knowledge, practical skills, accomplishment and social experience. General education has been greatly advocated for nearly half a century. The main goal of general education is to overcome the drawbacks of branching subjects into single area. However, most of the college disciplines are still staying on the level of independent study. It is initiative that higher education universities like world renowned Cornell has carried out courses lectured by professors from different departments like human development, law and history, communications. Therefore, in the process of study any discipline, we should break the limits of what we are told by books and by other people and develop a sense of individual research outside the textbooks.
II. The Relations between English Undergraduate Courses and International Business Courses
A. The Role of International Business Playing in English Undergraduate Courses
1. Enrichment of Course Content and Improvement of Efficiency
The role that International business plays in English undergraduate courses is fully indicated in the courses of Legal English Translation and Business English. Foreign Economic Law is one class that every international business student was required to take. It enumerates, iterates and codifies the economic legal systems of China including investment law, intellectual law concerning foreign affairs, commodity inspection and customs law and so on. By learning this course, students could develop a sense of legal documents which is quite different from the reading style we are familiar with.
The first step of translation is to understand the content and context. However, many students would encounter the understanding problem when run into articles of law. For example, Joint Venture Enterprise, Cooperative Enterprise, Limited Liability Company and Stock-Limited Company are clearly stated the differences in the courses of International Business.5 However, when students are trying to translate certain articles, they find that their thoughts were jammed by the first terminology they see. Though the study of International business is closely related to mathematics, conceptions and terms are the base. Acquaintance with the fundamental knowledge of the target article would greatly improve the translation efficiency and accuracy.
The following sentence is commonly used in documents of dispute resolution: “If a party requires an interpreter in the course of the arbitration proceedings or an English translation of the arbitration instruments, it may request the secretariat or the Arbitration Committee to provide the necessary assistance, provide that it shall undertake to bear the costs incurred.”6 The word “instrument” is not indicated in ordinary dictionary with the meaning as “a legal document” at all, and “provided that”, with the meaning of “nonetheless”, is also not frequently used except in legal documentations. In this sense, if a student who is already familiar with the rigid legal jargons and complicated sentences of law, his or her enthusiasm to translation and accuracy would be greatly enhanced.
2. Conduciveness to Discipline Integrity
Surely, an English undergraduate would not be required to study the history, status quo and the development prospect of foreign economic law. Nonetheless, a basic understanding of certain concepts would best facilitate the translation and the efficiency in class. What’s more, the students who had chosen English to Chinese and Chinese to English translations as undergraduate major may wish to pursue further and more specific translation study areas after graduation. These areas can be law translation, literary translation, engineering translation etc. A holistic study and comprehension at the undergraduate level would be greatly helpful for students to identify their positions thus make efficient decisions for future success. Sometimes, it is exactly these intersection areas that benefit us the most because we get rid of the fixed-way of thinking of the paradigm and create our own edges.
B. The Role of English Playing in International Business Courses
1. Improvement of Efficiency
Owing to its long-time colonial expansion, cultural influence, economic and technological strength, the language Britain and American used has become the dominant language of international trade world. Therefore, it is inevitable that Business English and English Writing for Foreign Trade are two pivotal courses in the study of International Business. If a person does not have a solid base of English vocabulary, grammar and writing skills, it would cause misunderstandings and mistakes in business communication. What’s more, for a better career position, excellent English speaking and writing capabilities would bring one’s talents in business into full play. If a manager is adept in international commercial intercourse but unable to communicate effectively with trade partners, it is relatively incompetent for him to contend with his rivals and a light negligence could jeopardize their economic interest.
As a result of language discrepancy and the complexity of transaction process, the conditions, behaviors, and problems of international business make it much more challenging than domestic business. For example, a person who can communicate quite effectively with his colleagues in office was raised to a level where he needs to deal business with clients. Most of the situation is in a golf course or a high-end party instead of in a negotiation room. At this time, the light and funny talk may not cover many business terms but, beyond question, contribute enormously to some deals. At this time, how to deal with the social aspects of conversation becomes the tricky problem where require the person in the middle of the challenge to develop a kind of deep understanding to the clients’ country and background.
As the most commonly used language in contemporary international trade, business English correspondence goes through every link of it. Furthermore, business English includes certain special terminology which requires special training and learning. It is like that a translator will have a hard time to do the job an interpreter do because their English language knowledge structure is different. The following example could best explain why Specific terminology needs to be learned.
We are importers of textiles and manufactured cotton piece goods. We have recently concluded some satisfactory business with Daqing Da Shen Trading Company. We now have a good demand for the captioned item and therefore write you in the hope of establishing business relations. From your recent published catalogue, we notice that you are able to supply Printed and Dyed Cotton Piece Goods, and we should be grateful if you would kindly send us some samples of the goods which you can supply together with a price list giving details of packing and gross and net weight so as to enable us to go fully into the possibilities of business.
We look forward to your early news in this respect and trust that through our mutual cooperation we shall be able to conclude some transactions with you in the near future.7
The underlined words are hard to catch without enough understanding to business words. We usually understand “conclude” as reaching a conclusion or decide by reasoning8, but here it means complete business successfully. “Captioned item” can also be as confusing as possible. Here it means the items on the list. “Packaging”, “gross” and “net weight” are also technical terms in business. Even for an English major whose English vocabulary is over 10000, he or she may lose idea on the comprehension of such an article.
2. Importance in International Stage
The membership in World Trade Organization made China in urgent need of English talents with WTO idea and perceptions. As for the form, the receipts were written in English and the negotiations were in English. As for the content, apart from the product itself, most of the items, clause of transactions are closely connected with the rules and standards in the courses of International Business because all the settlements of arguments and disputes were rooted with legal regulations. Therefore, people who are engaged in the International business should be familiar with the content of regulations in English and be able to have a good command of professional knowledge. In order to promote the dynamic integration of interdisciplinary research and interdisciplinary education, a significant number of universities around the world have set up various forms of Interdisciplinary Research Center to act as a “bridge” to connect different disciplines and subjects. Such Interdisciplinary Research Centers connect teaching and scientific research, department and outside the department, school and outside the school, universities and companies so as to provide valuable platforms for students to develop the comprehensive abilities.
III. Methods of Interdisciplinary Study Research
It is an almost universal phenomenon that interdisciplinary study occurs in science in an all-round way especially in solving the global problems. The multi-disciplinary experience, as self organized collaborative activities, should be served as reference in education reform. A key insight of the relationship between English and International Business has been presented to demonstrate that these two courses are closely related. Then, a variety of processes are analyzed from this perspective and commonalities across disciplines are identified.
A. Transference Method
The transference method means that an individual researcher or a community of a certain discipline that he/she engaged in veers to another discipline or a specialty. And the conceptions, principles, methods or techniques of the original discipline are transplanted to a new discipline or a specialty. Classified by its directions, it can be divided into following conditions: from lower grade to higher grade; from fundamental studies to applied studies; from natural science field to social science filed; from single discipline to cross-discipline.3
A lot of cross disciplinary studies are formed and established by the transference method. The establishment of Economical Cybernetics is a prime example. Norbert Winer realized that the principles and methods of Cybernetics can be extended to Economics by late 1940s. Since then, all the experts of Cybernetics transferred to the field of Economics. On the other hand, economists also made significant contribution to it. In 1950s, economists Philips and Alan introduced transfer function, feedback, oscillation and stability theory in Economics which inspired the passion of economists to Economical Cybernetics. Although generally speaking, the direct motivation of the establishment of Economical Cybernetics is the interest shift to Economic field of Cybernetics experts.
The embodiment of transference method in studying English and International Business lies in the courses of Linguistics and Probability and statistics. The 0-1 distribution of discrete random variables corresponds with the complementary antonymy of sense relations in Linguistics. 0-1 distribution is one of the most important discrete random variables in Probability. The random variable X=0(when A happens); X=1(when A does not happen) which means that there are only two results of the random phenomenon. The complementary antonymy means antonyms like alive and dead; male and female; innocent and guilty. That is to say the denial of one also means the assertions of the other. These two theories happen to have the same principle of learning. This theory similarity proved that the more one learns about one of the two disciplines, the deeper one could understand the other one.
Despite it is very unlikely that a new discipline would come into being from English and business, because both of these two disciplines are not within the range of science after all. And it is disputable that whether a person must master a subject in order to make a difference. The truth is that the combination of them would greatly enhance a person’s starting point when begin a career and provoke many thoughts during the study – the theory of international business could increase the substantial content of English courses and in return, the insights to western culture could develop an intrinsic perspective for a person’s future success.
B. Complementary Method
Complementary method is a kind of cooperative method that the knowledge of different disciplines and professions complement with each other. Specifically speaking, different subjects’ knowledge of one study area complements each other; methodological and objective knowledge complement each other; fundamental and applied researches complement each other; natural science, philosophy and social science complement each other. Such kind of “corporation” could break through the limits of highly differentiated knowledge, solve the problems that independent researcher could not figure out, shorten the span of scientific research and increase the efficiency.4
One instance of complementary method we are very familiar with is the establishment of Double Helix structure by James Watson and Francis Crick. We know that Watson is a zoologist and a phages geneticist while Crick is a physicist who analyzes large biological molecule with Crystallography. Both of these two scientists were influenced by the pamphlet What is Life written by Schrodinger. After their meeting in Cambridge, carried with the same ambition to unveil the mysteries of gene, they made full play of their talents and complemented each other on thoughts and methods. Such kind of cross effect came into being and the DNA structure problem was solved by them in short 18 moths. The magic of cross effect has been noticed and taken seriously by prestigious universities of the western world. The comprehensive interdisciplinary courses were highlighted in the education reform of Britain, French and Germany. The curriculum setting of Cambridge University, University of Paris and University of Berlin is moving toward the direction of integration.
Like any other disciplines, a sound knowledge base of International Business is the beginning for further development no matter in management study or in a real business world. While almost all Chinese language students have the learning habit of reciting, memorizing and repeating, they could use those language study method in memorizing the terms and conceptions in Business. For example, in the course of International Investment, as the main body of international direct investment, the features of multinational corporations cover five major points: 1. Global Goal; 2. Inside Integration; 3. Open Operation; 4. Transnational Production and Management; 5. Technology Internalization9. It is hollow and meaningless to repeat these features again and again to memorize them. We can use GIOMT as a mnemonic way to summarizing these components: G=Global Goal, I=Inside Integration, O=Open Operation, M= Transnational Production and Management, T= Technology Internalization.
Ⅳ. The Practical Application of the Combination of these two Disciplines
Problems of all walks of life are the impetuses that keep us learning. Any discipline, if brings out numerous questions and problems to us everyday, can be regarded as full of vitality. The best way to explore these questions is to practice what we have learnt in actual operation. In this way, we can discover problems again and again and make revisions continuously.
A. Working Experience in International Business Related Organization
No matter as an English student or as a Business student, when it comes to future career, he or she is most likely to be employed in public or private international organizations.
The most common form is transnational corporation or international organizations in which he or she is required to be proficient in both English and equipped with business wisdom.
A case in point is that in the final workshop of Sichuan Bamboo Investment Tour, all the participants were grouped into several tables. The participants were entrepreneurs from home and abroad as well as government officials who were given a platform to share their information and put forward problems that they had encountered in the tour or in the process of developing bamboo industry and enterprises. Each of these tables was in need of a host who should be proficient in English as well as be familiar with the operation process of international investment and corporations. Only a person who had a good knowledge on both disciplines could lead those participants speak out the valuable information. I mean, who would want to talk out their problems to a person who doesn’t know anything about international business? A sound knowledge of both disciplines means an enormously tractive effect to all kinds of …show more content…
organizations.
It dose not mean that every student should learn a second degree or we need a grand-scale higher education reform. The point is that at the first two years of university, students should be encouraged to find their real interest. Whether they wish to pursue further as a scholar or experience the society first or whether they want to be specialized in one area or to be Jack of all trades. Most importantly, may be educators should try not to split the humanities and science so far since high school. I believe that many people may point out that how could students managed to achieve a decent performance to a second discipline even when he or she can not manage one. However, the truth is that the exposure to a new discipline may just as well open a new world for students who already lost interest to the original one and encourage them to foster a better world outlook, views on life and values.
B. The Benefits and Necessity of Learning and Application of both Subjects
The study of International business is closely related to mathematics. Mathematic ability is the base for future market analysis which means vertical (logic) thinking is the key. Contrarily, most language students are good at lateral (divergent) thinking. Only when a person has been trained in both vertical thinking and lateral thinking, can one solve a problem in the best fashion. For example, in the chapter of revenue of the book Foreign Economic Law, the items of Corporate Income Tax, personal Income Tax, Commodity Tax, Property Tax and so on are resembling and their conceptions are easily to be confused but each of them have similarities at the same time. It is barely efficient to recite them one by one. A chart would make good use of both vertical and lateral thinking. The dropline is the names of different revenues and longitudinal line is the body, the incidence of taxation，the taxation bases，the tax calculation，the tax preference, the tax administration, liabilities and treatment of disputes.10
Thus, thick and obscure book became legible and vivid charts where the differences and similarities are open-and-shut. We can see clearly from this example that only one thinking pattern can hardly be made full use of the time we devote on it. If there is only vertical thinking, the thoughts can be boundless and far from reality and inefficient when solving practical problems; if there is only lateral thinking, the thoughts would be stereotyped and forget that there are other solutions and perspectives to the problem. Sometimes, lateral thinking can be even better than vertical thinking when the latter one can hardly be used to solve a problem. We can see from this that interdisciplinary study is a commendable way in thinking training which is not only beneficial in learning knowledge but also helpful in solving other problems.
Interdisciplinary research is the challenge and revolution to individual discipline as well as the substantial breakthrough to human recognition and transformation.
It is an inevitable that such a trend will renew our future world of scientific and technological development. The interrelations and laws among things are protruding in the teaching of many disciplines. This character determines that the interactions between disciplines are crucial because any discipline requires the support of other disciplines. The clashes of different branches of learning would stimulate innovative study methods which would make learning become a rewarding and interesting process. This process also inspires us to keep learning—not to memorize abundant volume of knowledge but to find out the necessary information as soon as possible and carry out individual thinking with
it.
Therefore, when we are studying the things we need to know but boring, we should in the first place jump out the rules and regulations and find out how to rise up interest. For example, we shouldn’t study grammar first when picking up a new language and we shouldn’t recite all the formulas first when learning mathematics, but in the way that Robert Frank encourages his students learning economics--telling interesting stories of our daily life that can be solved with economic perspectives. The point is, in the process of entering an ever-narrowing funnel of specialization, one should still keep one’s mind open and clear and seize the things one really likes. All we can decide is what we think right now, what we should learn, which direction we should veer, and be prepared to keep making revisions. The best learning method is always the one we summarize through trial and error by ourselves. And in return, the process confer us a strong sense of self-esteem.
Ⅴ. Conclusion
The theories, methods, thoughts and practice of interdisciplinary study are not only extremely valuable to the construction of discipline itself, but also beneficial to the educational and economic development, harmony of human and society, human and nature. Therefore, in the application of theory construction, science experiments and social practice, we must improve our awareness of interdisciplinary study and observe the methods that connect them.
When two disciplines were together, they would not only constantly complement each other but challenge each other and innovate in the study as well as educational process. While much work remains to be done, it appears that this approach can build upon much previous work in these different disciplines to help solve a variety of immediate practical needs, including: difficult employment, rigid education style, comprehensive competitiveness of our country. Graduate of such disciplines are also in demand. We must reflect on the current situation and take actions as much as we can.
Conducting interdisciplinary research is a kind of innovation, and innovation is not only about inventing a new machine or a new drug. It is about inventing our own way of study and living. Not following a path, but making our own path and envision new ways to make our life interesting. The true purpose of education is recognizing, despite everything that our upbringing has trained we to believe about ourselves, and interdisciplinary study is one of the many ways to practice it. No matter what we learn from books, they are the thinking products of predecessors’ effort. Only when we create our own way of study and assimilation, can we fulfill the real purpose of education and bring prosperity to our society.
Notes
1 Thomas W.Malone and Kevin Crownston, “The Interdisciplinary Study of Coordination,” Computing Surveys, (March 1994), 87.
2 解恩译，《跨学科研究思想方法》，济南：山东教育出版社，1994年， 第25页。
3 同上，第27页。
4 同上，第28页。
5 孙万彪，《汉英法律翻译教程》，上海：上海外语教育出版社，2010年，第11页。
6 同上，第184页。
7 谢江南、何加红，《实用英语写作》，北京：首都经济贸易大学出版社，2005年， 第214页。
8 http://wordnet.princeton.edu/
9 綦建红，《国际投资学教程》，北京：清华大学出版社，2008年，第124页。
10 盛杰明，《涉外经济法》，北京：中国人民大学出版社，2004年，第308页。
Bibliography
Malone, Thomas W., and Crownston, Kevin. “The Interdisciplinary Study of
Coordination.” Computing Surveys(March 1994), 87-119.
綦建红主编 《国际投资学教程》，北京：清华大学出版社，2008。
盛杰明等编 《涉外经济法》，北京：中国人民大学出版社，2004。
孙万彪编著 《汉英法律翻译教程》，上海：上海外语教育出版社，2010。
解恩译主编 《跨学科研究思想方法》，济南：山东教育出版社，1994。
谢江南、何加红编著 《实用英语写作》，北京：首都经济贸易大学出版社，2005。