Haven't decided on your winter schedule? Check out the following courses with seats still available!

ASIA 348 – Poetic Life in Classical India

This course explores the poetry, theatre, and ornate prose writings of India in the classical period (c. 200–1300 CE). Taking a literary historical approach, this course will provide a better understanding of how different literary genres and styles developed and changed over time. It will also consider the aesthetic, intellectual, and socio-cultural contexts in these writings. All readings will be in English, no prior knowledge of a South Asian language is required.

This course is in-person for Winter Term 1, with no prerequisite.

ASIA 363 – Fiction and Film from Modern Taiwan

This course delves into key literary, cultural, and cinematic patterns in modern and contemporary Taiwan. In-depth discussions will center around various transformative moments in modern Taiwanese film and fiction from the early 20th century to the present. Furthermore, we will gain valuable insights into the evolution of Taiwanese cinema and its intricate connections with historical, political, and cultural events.

This course is online for Winter Term 1, with no prerequisite.

ASIA 390 – History of the Indian Ocean World

This course examines the history of societies and empires that were shaped by voyages of exploration, religious pilgrimages, trading diasporas, and forced migration in the world of the Indian Ocean. Throughout human history, the Indian Ocean has served as a key arena of connections, exchanges, and conflicts. This course highlights this history and offers an alternative vision of the past to that of conventional, territorial accounts.

This course is hybrid for Winter Term 1, with no prerequisite.

ASIX 300B – Indigenous Environmentalism in Asia and Beyond

This course explores the sacredness of our environment. It guides students to remain aware of how we experience and thereby embody our environment. Course materials will be drawn from a variety of geographic regions, academic disciplines, and audio-visual media.

This course is in-person for Winter Term 1, with no prerequisite.

ASIX 220 – Indigeneities in Asia and Asian Diaspora

This course introduces students to Indigenous methodologies, contemporary cultures, and issues of Indigenous peoples in Asia and Asian diaspora, and Indigenous-Asia relation-making in Canada. We also explore together what it means to build an ethical relationship with the Indigenous lands of the xʷməθkwəy̓əm and of other First Nations.

This course is multi-access for Winter Term 1, with no prerequisite.

The Dragon's Story: A Celebration of Legendary Bruce Lee with Stephen Au

The Cantonese Language Program was honoured to collaborate with the Chinatown Storytelling Centre and Theatre Dojo on celebrating the 50th anniversary passing of Kung Fu legend, Bruce Lee on July 20, 2023. Stephen Au, Hong Kong actor, director, and playwright, spoke about Lee’s contribution to Hong Kong’s film industry, and his impact on the city and Chinese popular culture. While Prof. Christopher Rea of Modern Chinese Literature and Raymond Pai, Acting Cantonese Language Director, connected the impact of Lee’s career to Asian Studies disciplines and Chinese media culture.

2023 Asian Studies Graduate Student Conference

The 2023 Asian Studies Graduate Student Conference was held on March 4, 2023, where 14 panelists presented their works in five thematic panels: Gender and Sexuality, Non-human in the Human-Centric World, Colonialism and Postcolonialism, Social Criticism in Media, and Memories in Films. Organised by Asian Studies graduate representatives, Anastasia Safina, Hiuzhi Wang, and King Kwong Wong, this conference attracted applicants from various departments and schools at UBC with more than 40 attendees and participants.

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Call for proposal: NACHE Conference

The North American Chapter on the History of Emotion (NACHE) will be holding its next conference on June 7-8, 2024, on the UBC Vancouver campus. Interested scholars are invited to submit proposals for single presentations or for panels. The conference is open to proposals dealing with any region or time period, and interdisciplinary approaches are welcome. Apply by September 15.

Call for application: 2023 Partnership Recognition and Exploration Fund

The 2023 Partnership Recognition and Exploration (PRE) Fund is currently accepting applications for projects that advance inclusion, Indigenous engagement, health, community, sustainability, teaching, learning or research excellence. Get up to $1,500 for community-university collaboration and relationship building. Applications are open until December 31, or until all funding is depleted.

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