(Online) Understanding the All India Phenomenon: Democracy and Unity in India (1940-1960)
Although India became independent in August 1947, community leaders were planning for an independent state long before. Focusing on the ways that Indian Dalit and women activists attempted to redefine ideas of democracy and unity to make Indian politics more open to them, Dr. Emily Rook-Koepsel will draw attention to minority attempts to reconceptualize universal citizenship, Indian identity, dissent, and principled democracy during a moment of uncertainty in India’s political life. Please join us on Tuesday, April 14th at 2 PM on Zoom (online). To register, please visit here.
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SCREENSHOT:ASIA PRESENTS THE GRANDMASTER (ONLINE)
SCREENSHOT:ASIA will be hosting a second Netflix and Ramen event. Directed by Wong Kar Wai and released in 2013, The Grandmaster is a martial arts drama that takes place during the decline of the last Chinese dynasty. Highlighting the action filled life of Ip Man, the master of wing chun (martial arts), the film spans from the 1930s to Ip Man's death in 1972. Threatened and challenged by Gong Yuitan and his daughter, Gong Er, Ip Man is chosen to represent the community of Southern masters. Even after his first fight with Gong Er and his move to Hong Kong, Ip Man is unable to leave Gong Er in his past. Please join us on Wednesday, April 15th at 7 PM on Netflix Party. Viewers must have Netflix and the Netflix Party Chrome Extension. To register, please visit here.
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ONLINE: EVERYDAY MAOISM IN REVOLUTIONARY CHINA
The Communist Revolution in 20th century China depended greatly on individual consciousness. How did Chinese communists at various levels, from Mao Zedong to village cadres, accomplish this task? What did “Maoism” mean in the everyday? This live Zoom interview with Associate Professor Aminda Smith from Michigan State University will explore the profound and personal changes in individual consciousness through multiple points of contact between individuals, the state, the Party, and its propaganda apparatuses. Please join us on Zoom (online) on Thursday, April 16th from 2 PM to 3:30 PM. To register, please visit here.
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UPCOMING EVENTS
April 14
Online Book Talk: Understanding the All India Phenomenon (1940-1960)
Dr. Emily Rook-Koepsel
2 PM | Zoom
April 15
Online: The Grandmaster screening
7 PM | Netflix Party
April 16
Online: Everyday Maoism in Revolutionary China
Dr. Aminda Smith
2 PM-3:30 PM | Zoom
April 17 & 24
Online: Tai Chi
Dr. Margarita Delgado Creamer
10:45 AM | Zoom
April 23
(Online) Global Issues Through Literature: Shipwrecks by Akira Yoshikmura
4:30 PM-7 PM | For information, email majab@pitt.edu
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ASIAN STUDIES CENTER INTERNSHIP APPLICATIONS FOR 2020-2021
The Asian Studies Center is now accepting applications for its 2020-2021 student internship positions. There are openings available for our Global Asia position (available to graduate students), our Communications & Media position, our Chinese Language Social Media position, and our Global Ambassador position. All applicants must be pursuing an Asian Studies Certificate and have a 3.0 GPA or higher. Interns will receive $5,000 in tuition reimbursement for the Fall and Spring terms ($10,000 total). Applications are due by Friday, May 1st. For more information or to apply, please visit here.
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DISPATCHES FROM SOCIAL DISTANCING: SOLACE THROUGH FILMS
Chris Kraemer, SCREENSHOT:ASIA Intern
These times in quarantine are rough, so I’ve decided to fill my time with old tokusatsu shows and films. For those unfamiliar with the genre, tokusatsu is a type of Japanese film (and television show) that relies heavily on practical effects and suit work. It’s what kaiju films, like Gojira and Gamera, are part of. I grew up on tokusatsu from a young age because of my mother, who is Japanese. She taught my brother and me how to love the campy style of kaiju films and tokusatsu heroes. Currently I’m making my way through the original Ultraman series (which Criterion did a remaster of), and it’s wonderfully weird. In these strange times, watching tokusatsu is like returning to the comforting time when things were normal. It makes isolation easier when I can immerse myself in weird fictions that have been with me since I was a child. Especially now, I find that something a little silly and a little nostalgic makes things a bit easier.
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MID-ATLANTIC REGIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR ASIAN STUDIES CONFERENCE: ASIA ON THE MOVE
This year's Mid-Atlantic Regional Association for Asian Studies (MARAAS) Conference will be held at Villanova University from Friday, October 2nd to Sunday, October 4th. Amidst the coronavirus epidemic and the various democratic movements that have rocked Asia from Hong Kong to New Delhi, the conference theme “Asia on the Move: From Grassroots to Global” aims to explore various interdisciplinary studies that combine perspectives from politics, environment, public health, territorial issues, migration, popular culture, gender, sexuality, religious practices, and more. The conference currently has a call for papers, which are due by Friday, May 1st. All interested students, faculty members, independent scholars, and professionals are encouraged to submit their work. To learn more or apply, please visit here.
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DISPATCHES FROM SOCIAL DISTANCING: WORK FROM HOME
Weiping Xiao, Chinese Social Media Intern
The unexpected coronavirus has drastically changed my life since the spring break. Because of this unprecedented crisis, I have to switch my study plan and work from home. It goes without saying that I was sad at the beginning. However, for the sake of protecting others as well as myself, following the governor’s order is the most responsible action I can take. These days, I have been working at home and focusing on my project. The project has me building an interactive map, using R software. Based on data, I am working with group members to visualize the relationship between ridership trends and income levels in the greater Pittsburgh area. Our group successfully visualized the relationship on an interactive map and plot graphs, showing that the income levels do not negatively affect ridership. This is exciting work because I am able to practice skills that will be useful for career development.
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