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2020 John Howes Lecture in Japanese Studies
What Aborigines Sang: Aynu, Yukar and Some Problems in Japan Studies
Monday February 10, 2020 | 6:30 p.m.
With Professor James E. Ketelaar
Professor Ketelaar will draw on his most recent research into the concepts of the barbarian and the frontier in the construction of Japanese national identity and history; coupled with this he will examine something of the roles and meanings of emotion in the construction of the historical imagination in Japan. All of which will be used in a critical approach to the area known as Japan Studies.
Event details and RSVP
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Cinema and the City: Film and Urban Iran in the Early 20th Century (in English)
Friday January 17, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
With Dr. Golbarg Rekabtalaei
The focus on the later periods of Iranian cinema history has led to a disregard of cinematic activities in the earlier periods. Exploring the early twentieth century, this talk examines the role of cinema in Iranian modernity and in the urbanization of Tehran from the 1900s to 1930s.
Event details and RSVP
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2020 Asian Studies Careers Night
Thursday March 12, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
Navigating life after graduation can be hard, so each year we bring in alumni with diverse experiences to inform and inspire current students. This annual event is the perfect opportunity to make industry connections, meet fellow Asian Studies students, and gain advice for your career path.
We also invite any alumni interested in participating to email our event coordinator at sophie.gardner@ubc.ca.
Event details and RSVP
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2020 Harjit Kaur Sidhu Memorial Program
Thursday April 2, 2020 | 6:00 p.m.
With Dr. Navtej Purewal
Now in its 12th year, this event celebrates the rich life of Punjabi language and culture and its importance in BC, in memory of a woman who shared such passions. This year's event features a guest lecture by Dr. Navtej Purewal from the University of London as well as performances by UBC Punjabi language students.
Event details and RSVP
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| Featured Term 2 Courses |
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India and the
Persianate World |
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The Korean People in Modern Times
(1600 to the present) |
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| Japanese Religions |
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| The Idea of India |
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| Tibetan Literature, Genres, and Book Culture |
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Narrative and Performance in
South Asia |
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| STUDENT-DIRECTED SEMINARS |
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ASIA 450Z: Buddhism and Social Changes in Contemporary East Asia
Students will analyze how Buddhism responds to social, political, and economic changes with a specific focus on Mahayana Buddhism and Tibetan Buddhism. We will examinine case studies such as the Cultural Revolution in China and charity works run by Buddhist communities. If interested, please send a statement of intent to m.tian@alumni.ubc.ca.
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ASTU 400: Psychology and Buddhism
Participate in open discussion, creating and sharing knowledge about the interaction of Buddhist psychological concepts (i.e. suffering, no-self, and bare attention) with modern psychological research. If interested, please fill out the interest survey here.
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ACAM 447C: Telling Asian Canadian Stories with Unconventional Archives
Join ACAM 447C to explore various forms of archives and build your research projects up with enthusiastic peers. To apply, please send a statement of intent to acam.program@ubc.ca. Or fill out this survey here.
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ASIA 476Z: Identity and Dissent in Post-Independence India
Postcolonial and Subaltern Studies have been important in critiquing the nation and its citizens. These have also helped critique the nationalist project that drives the Indian state. In this course, we will critically read and compare approaches based on the changing nature of subaltern studies, socio-economic and socio-cultural identity formation, and the way dissent manifests itself in India. Please send a statement of interest in about 500 words to identitydissent@gmail.com.
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| FACULTY AWARDS AND RESEARCH |
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UBC Asian Studies 2018/19 Lecturers of The Year
In his 20 years of teaching a wide range of Chinese courses at UBC, Dr. Maorong Cheng is far more than just an instructor in the classroom. He is actively involved in curriculum enrichment projects and extra-curricular activities in the Chinese Language Program.
Despite a challenging regime of 8 well-enrolled courses per year, Dr. Clayton Ashton has garnered uniformly excellent course evaluations from his students. Colleagues note not only his dedication but his generosity in sharing what he has learned, both through his own teaching classroom experience and additional professional development opportunities.
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At the Border: An Exhibition of Artists' Work in Response to the Partition of Punjab
As part of "Creative Interruptions," the works displayed on the ground floor of the I.K. Barber Learning Centre are curated by Dr. Anne Murphy and CISAR Research Associate Raghavendra Rao K.V. "Creative Interruptions" is an international arts and humanities research project designed to use creativity as a way of connecting people and communities across borders.
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Dr. Christopher Rea Featured in "What Makes China Laugh?"
Which Chinese dynasty was the funniest? Which types of humour have stood the test of time in China? And what does Canada have to do with it? Listen to Dr. Christopher Rea's opening remarks about 5,000 years of Chinese comedy at a recent China Institute NYC panel on "What Makes China Laugh?"
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Sunera Thobani Honoured as one of "Pakistan's and Local Women Heroes''
Professor Sunera Thobani was honoured as one of 15 exceptional women at the ''Women Who Named the Unnamed: Pakistan's and Local Women Heroes'' event on Saturday, September 28. For over two decades, Professor Thobani has written and spoken extensively on themes of feminist theory, terrorism, militaristic power, and colonialism, indigeneity and racial violence.
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| STUDENT NEWS |
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Asian Studies Student Published in UofT's Synergy Journal
Fourth-year Asian Studies undergrad Aaron Throness' essay: "Isolation, Neglect, and Decay: A Study of the Ming Dynasty’s Coastal Consciousness" investigates the precipitous decline of the Ming Dynasty's coastal fortifications and its withdrawal from maritime affairs.
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Asian Studies Alumnus Wins Korea Times Grand Prize for Translation
Leo-Thomas Brylowski, who studied Korean with Dr. Bruce Fulton during his undergraduate years at UBC, received the honour for his English translation of Korean novelist Lee Ki-ho's fiction piece "Choe Mijin, Where Have You Gone?"
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CHIN234: Learning Chinese in a living classroom in Taiwan
Summer 2019
Last summer, in order to immerse students in not only the language but also the culture, the Chinese Language Program held a Global Seminar in Taiwan. Students acquired practical knowledge and topics to apply to their stay in Taiwan, as well as benefiting them in future travels and living experiences in Chinese-speaking societies and communities.
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2019 Chinese Fun Night
Tuesday October 1
150 non-heritage Chinese language students had a fantastic time practicing their Chinese-speaking skills with peers, as well as celebrating the Mid-Autumn Festival. The Chinese Language Program expresses gratitude to every student who participated and thanks all faculty members, TAs, WLs, and volunteers for committing their time and effort to this fabulous event.
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Japanese Movie Night: A Boy and his Samurai
Friday November 1
JAPN students and instructors gathered to watch a Japanese comedy film. There were lots of laughs (and a few tears!), followed by conversation, sushi and yakisoba. Many thanks to all who made this night possible, especially the TAs, and the instructors who volunteered their time to assist at the event, and stayed to help clean up afterwards.
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2019 "Chinese Bridge" BC - Mandarin Singing Contest
Saturday November 16
Students from UBC and nine other universities showcased their singing talents through singing Chinese songs at this annual competition. First-place winners "The Yellow Bunnies" are a group of close-knit friends who have only been learning for around three months. They performed the popular Coldplay song "Yellow" (流星). Well done participants!
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2019 Annual Cantonese Fun Night
Friday November 22
Over 150 students spent their evening surrounded by music, food, and entertainment. The event kicked off with karaoke and mahjong, followed by a potluck with over 50 dishes. The night closed off with a screening of the comedy film A Home with a View. The Cantonese Language Program would like to thank all faculty members and TAs, whose efforts made the event a great success again.
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Tadoku/Tagaki Club's End-of-Term Event
Friday November 23
The student members, teaching assistants and instructor coordinators of the JAPN Tadoku (reading) and Tagaki (writing) Clubs held their end-of-term event with discussions and presentations, origami-making, and doughnuts! Thanks to everyone who participated this term, and see you again in January.
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| INTERVIEWS |
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Grad Student Spotlight: Parboti Roy
Parboti’s research focuses on Indigenous women’s resistance to gender-based violence in Bangladesh.
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Alumni Spotlight: Chandima Silva
Chandima is the Director of Arts and Culture at the Asia Pacific Youth Council and a program coordinator at SFU. |
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Undergrad Student Spotlight: Matthew Remedios
"Where are you from?" A question that seems simple but can often be hard to answer. Born in Canada to immigrant parents, third-year student Matthew shares how his experiences learning Chinese shaped his journey to find his identity.
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Are you a student or alumnus interested in sharing your story? We would love to feature you in our next newsletter! Please contact our Communications & Events Coordinator at sophie.gardner@ubc.ca.
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| WINTER HIGHLIGHTS |
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2019 Asian Studies Welcome Event
Tuesday September 17
Thank you to everyone who joined us to get the 2019 academic year off to a roaring start! Attendees enjoyed some Punjabi dancing, sake tasting, presentations by Go Global, Asian Studies alumnus Tinnie Shackle and local sake maker Masa Shiroki, as well as delicious catering by Rice Burger!
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Warrior Atsumori: A Noh Play Starring Hisa and Hikaru Uzawa
Wednesday September 18
Over 300 students, faculty, and community members attended this rare and special night of noh theatre performed by Japanese Intangible Cultural Asset Hisa Uzawa and her daughter Hikaru Uzawa. We thank Dr. Christina Laffin for coordinating their visit, and the actors for their honest, heartfelt performances fostering a space of creativity and connection.
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One Poet Among Many: Hafez and the Transregional Literary Networks of 14th-Century Iran
Friday September 20
As part of the "Alireza Ahmadian Lectures in Persian/Iranian Studies," Dr. Dominic Parviz Brookshaw was invited to present a lecture on 14th-century Persian poet Hafez of Shiraz and his contemporaries. The talk was delivered to an enthusiastic audience of over 170 people, with questions and conversations continuing well afterwards!
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2019 UBC Language Day
Thursday September 5
UBC's first ever “Language Day” served as a great opportunity for students who wanted to learn more about the vastly diverse language programs while interacting with faculty members. Accompanied by the beautiful weather, fun games, and enthusiastic TAs and volunteers, we hope that every participant left the event feeling inspired and having learnt something new!
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2019 Yip So Man Wat Memorial Lecture
Tuesday November 5
Titled "Where Silence Reigns, Startling Claps of Thunder 於無聲處聽驚雷", Dr. Geremie Barmé's lecture addressed the ‘year of anniversaries’ in the context of ‘Voiceless China’, an expression writer Lu Xun used when addressing an audience in Hong Kong in 1927.
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