论美国学的历史文化视角和从小处入手的研究方法

On the Historical & Cultural Perspective in American Studies and the Methodology of Starting Out Small

本文主要就美国学历史文化视角的理论价值和从小处入手的研究方法提出思考,并结合案例进行分析。本文提出,外语学者研究美国,提倡历史文化思维,多从美国独特的历史文化根源寻找问题的本质,把握问题发展的线索与演变脉络。同时,除了宏观研究之外,提倡多从小处入手,从具体问题切入,加强微观层面的描述和分析,关注美国社会方方面面的研究,形成外语人做国别研究的范式,服务中美深层次对话与交流。

The focus of the paper is two-fold: theoretical value of adopting historical and cultural perspective in American Studies and the benefits of starting out small. Both are discussed with cases. The paper further makes two suggestions. First, scholars from the discipline of foreign languages should develop historical and cultural thinking;approach the essence of issues in American Studies by tracing their sources in and their development across America’s unique history and culture. Second, besides macro-level researches, scholars can also benefit from taking on small topics and specific matters;by working on the micro level across various aspects of the American society,scholars from the discipline of foreign languages can establish a unique paradigm for American Studies and better serve the deepening Sino-US dialogue and exchanges.