Fall 2007   

(September/October/November)

September

September 8, Saturday
Odissi Dance Recital

• Performed by Aloka Kanungo, Shreelina Ghosh and their dance students.
• 7:00pm, Brody Auditorium, Brody Complex

September 13, Thursday
Reception for new faculty and students from India

• The Asian Studies Center and the India Council will hold a welcome reception for incoming students and faculty from India. All MSU community members interested in Indian studies are encouraged to attend. Tea, coffee, and snacks will be served.
• 4:00-5:30pm, Rooms 302, 303 International Center

September 14, Friday
Annual Gallin Lecture

• Ann Laura Stoler, (Willy Brandt Distinguished University Professor of Anthropology and Historical Studies, Columbia University) will deliver this year's Gallin Lecture in Anthropology. Her talk is entitled "The Pulse of the Archive: Colonial Ontologies in the Netherlands Indies."
• 3:00pm, Room 303 International Center.
• PDF flyer here

September 16, Sunday
Vishwa Mohan Bhatt

• Being the foremost disciple of Ravi Shankar, Vishwa Mohan belongs to that elite body of musicians which traces its origin to the Moughal emperor Akbar's court musician Tansen and his guru the Hindu Mystic Swami Haridas. Creator of the mohan veena (modied slide guitar with 20 strings used in Indian classical music) and the winner of a Grammy Award®, Mohan has mesmerized the world with his pristine pure, delicate yet fiery music. Mohan's powerhouse performances have electried audiences around the globe. Mohan has become the cultural ambassador of India by glorifying and popularizing Indian culture and music throughout the world.
• Pasant Theatre, Wharton Center, 7:00pm
  Tickets $28
  
• For tickets and more information, see whartoncenter.com or call 1-800-WHARTON.

September 17, Monday
Film Showing: Shower

• This film focuses on the value of water in both traditional and modern Chinese culture and the confrontation between old ways and new wealth. Introduction by Marilyn McCullough (ASN). 92 minutes.(Xixao)(China, dir. Yang Zhang, 1999).
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."
• PDF flier here

September 18, Tuesday
"Governance and Corruption in Asia: What is Going On?"

• Lecture given by Vinay Bhargava, formerly of the World Bank
• 4:00pm, room 303 of the International Center
• This is part of the colloquium series "Public Moralities, Sovereignty, and Legitimacy: Violence, Corruption, and other Impunities in Asia"
• PDF flier here

September 23, Sunday
Japan Picnic

• The Center's annual Japan Picnic will be held rain or shine in two tents in the Clarence Arboretum, next to the Japanese Gardens. The program will feature music and martial arts, calligraphy and origami, and sushi, cookies, and Japanese tea. All are welcome.
• 2:00pm-4:00pm, Clarence Arboretum, Bogue Street near the railroad tracks.
• PDF flyer here

September 24, Monday
"Requiem as History: What a Medieval Japanese Epic Can Teach Us about How We Remember the Past"

• Presented by Elizabeth Oyler (East Asian Languages and Cultures, University of Illinois)
• 4:00-5:30pm, Rooms 303 and 305 International Center.
• PDF flyer here

September 24, Monday
Film Showing: Warm Water Under a Red Bridge

• A modern-day fairy tale weaving together the hopes of a woman living in the coastal countryside and the despair of an urban white-collar worker, this film highlights the meaning of water and the threat of pollution in Japan today. Introduction by Kitty Gabele (ASN). 120 minutes. (Akai hashi no shita nurui mizu) (Japan, dir. Imamura Shohei, 2001)
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."

September 25, Tuesday
Department of History International Film Festival: Hero

• Introduction by Linda Cooke Johnson
• 7:00pm, Life Sciences A-133

September 26, Wednesday
"Japanese-Diplomacy-Japan U.S. Relations and East Asia Issues"

• Presented by the Honorable Tamotsu Shinotsuka, Consul General from Japan in Detroit
• 4:00pm, Room 303 International Center
• PDF flyer here

September 28, Friday
"Gendered Processes of Adaptation: Understanding Parent-Child Relations in Chinese Immigrant Families"

• Presented by Desiree Qin, Department of Family & Child Ecology
• Part of The Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen) 2007-08 Colloquia Series: "New Research on Women and Gender: Global and Local Perspectives"
• 1:30-3:00 pm, 305 International Center

September 29, Saturday
ACTFL Workshop

• Chantal Thompson (Department of French and Italian, Brigham Young University) will present the ACTFL workshop Teaching Reading: Interpersonal and Interpretive Modes. While this is especially arranged for MSU's Less Commonly Taught Language Teachers, it is open to education students and community language teachers as well. To register, please contact the Asian Studies Center.
• 9:00am, International Center Library.

September 29, Saturday
The Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble in Saugatuck

• The Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble, based in Toronto, Canada, has enthralled audiences with its mesmerizing and heart-pounding performances of the Japanese drum (taiko) since its formation in 1998. The Ensemble has toured widely throughout Canada, the US and Italy performing in theatres, concert halls, and at major music festivals. While firmly rooted in the folk drumming traditions found throughout Japan, the 6-member ensemble redefines this ancient art form ensuring its relevance in today's society. Combining thunderous, primal drumbeats with intricate costumes and dazzling choreography, the ensemble produces a multi-sensory experience for audiences of all ages. Featuring a vast array of Japanese taiko (including the massive O-Daiko), gongs, bells, wooden clappers, shakers and bamboo flutes, the Kiyoshi Nagata Ensemble takes the audience on a musical journey beyond all borders. www.kiyoshinagata.com
• 8:00pm, Saugatuck Center for the Arts
• $30 Adults, $15 Students
• Tickets and additional information can be found on-line at www.sc4a.org or by phone at 269-857-2399.

September 29, Saturday
Global Korea Awards Ceremony

• This annual ceremony will feature awards given to Dr. David McCann (Korean Foundation Professor of Korean Literature, Harvard University), Ms. Anne Sibley O'Brien (author of The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea) and Dr. Yoon Joo Lee, (Economist/CTO, Office of Economic Growth, USAID).
• Spartan Rooms B and C, International Center, 10:00-2:00pm.
• Contact Kiwon Kang, (VIPP) kangkiw1@msu.edu, for more information and registration.

September 30, Sunday
Moon Festival Concert

• The Chinese American Educational and Cultural Center of Michigan and Musica Viva International Concerts extends this cordial invitation to attend the Moon Festival Concert celebrating the music of legendary Chinese composer, Wang Shu.
• 3:30 p.m. at Varner Hall, Oakland University.

October

October 1, Monday
Film Showing: Water

• (India/Canada, dir. Deepa Mehta, 2005) This film presents the historical plight of widows in India juxtaposed with the significance of water in Indian society.114 minutes. Introduction by Kali Majundar (Anthropology).
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."

October 3, Wednesday
"Covert Netherworld: Clandestine Services, Criminal Syndicates & the Character of the Philippine State"

• Lecture given by Alfred McCoy (History, University of Wisconsin, Madison)
• 4:00pm, room 303 of the International Center
• This is part of the colloquium series "Public Moralities, Sovereignty, and Legitimacy: Violence, Corruption, and other Impunities in Asia".

October 3, Wednesday
Film screening: The Host (South Korea, 2006)

• Introduced by Presented by Tim Deines and Jennifer Fay, Department of English
• 7:30pm, 107 South Kedzie
• This is part of "The Right to Hospitality: Migration, Accommodation, Globalization" – A Symposium of Film and Philosophy. For more information, see http://www.cal.msu.edu/documents/TheRighttoHospitality.pdf

October 4, Thursday
Kapur Endowed Lecture

• This year's Kapur lecture will feature Professor Akeel Bilgrami (Columbia University). His lecture is entitled "Can Modern India Learn from Traditional India Or Is It Too Late?" A reception will follow the presentation.
• 7:00pm, Rooms 303 and 305 International Center.

October 8, Monday
Destination Bangalore: Talk and film screening

• Jim Kerns, the producer of Destination Bangalore, a film exploring Bangalore's high tech transformation, will speak on the issues raised by this film and its production. His presentation will be followed by a screening of this documentary. 43 minutes.
• 7:00pm, Room B102 Wells Hall.

October 10, Wednesday
"Reworking Religion in Post-1990 Nepal: Rights, Regulation and Buddhist Self-Representation"

• Lecture given by Lauren Leve (Religious Studies, University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill)
• 4:00pm, room 303 of the International Center
• This is part of the colloquium series "Public Moralities, Sovereignty, and Legitimacy: Violence, Corruption, and other Impunities in Asia".

October 15, Monday
Film Showing: 301, 302

• A disturbing account of next door neighbors in urban South Korea that explores the meanings of relationships and body image in modern-day city life. Introduction by Catherine Ryu (Linguistics and Languages). 100 minutes.(South Korea, dir. Cheol-Su Park, 1996)
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."

October 18, Thursday
Jazz Pianist Yutaka Shina

• A presentation on "Japanese Jazz" followed by a concert.
• Presentation: 4:00-5:30pm, Rooms 303 and 305 International Center;
  Concert at 7:30pm in the MSU Music School Auditorium.

October 20, Saturday
Anurag Harsh Presents an Evening of Indian Music

• Indian vocal musician Anurag Harsh, accompanied by tabla and harmonium players, will present an evening of traditional Indian music. He has played in Carnegie hall, among other venues, and his performances have received rave reviews.
• 7:00pm, Kellogg Center Auditorium.

October 23, Tuesday
"Painting, Art History, and Violence: Reflections on Indonesian Works"

• Lecture given by Kenneth George (Anthropology, University of Wisconsin, Madison)
• 4:00pm, room 303 of the International Center
• This is part of the colloquium series "Public Moralities, Sovereignty, and Legitimacy: Violence, Corruption, and other Impunities in Asia".

October 24, Wednesday
The Annual Joseph Lee Lecture

• This year's Joseph Lee endowed lecture will feature Zhong Zhenzhen, Professor of Chinese Classics Editing and Research Institute of Nanjing Normal University, who will offer "A Close Look at the Highest Imperial Examination through a Song Dynasty Writer's Notes."
• 7:00pm, Rooms 303 and 305 International Center; Reception to follow in Room 302

October 26, Friday
"'Chairman Mao Rescued Me from the Pit of Hell': First-person Testimonials, Party Rhetoric, and the Rehabilitation of Prostitutes in the Early People's Republic of China"

• Presented by Aminda Smith, Department of History
• Part of The Center for Gender in Global Context (GenCen) 2007-08 Colloquia Series: "New Research on Women and Gender: Global and Local Perspectives"
• 1:30-3:00 pm, 305 International Center

October 29, Monday
Film Showing: Singapore Dreaming

• A family confronts modern materialism when the patriarch wins the lottery. This comedy explores issues of economy, home life, and family in a contemporary Chinese-Singaporean family. 105 minutes.(Mei ma ren sheng) (Singapore, dir. Colin Goh, 2006)
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."

October 30, Tuesday
"Ghosts and Numbers: A Film on Financial Dreams in Thailand"

• Film screening and discussion by Alan Klima (Anthropology, University of California, Davis)
• 3:00pm, room 303 of the International Center
• Part of the colloquium series "Public Moralities, Sovereignty, and Legitimacy: Violence, Corruption, and other Impunities in Asia".

November

November 5, Monday
Film Showing: Ghost in a Shell

• This animated film depicts an urban future in which AI cops search for the truth in a corrupt government. It is one of the most innovative looks at the influence of technology on human civilization in Japanese anime. Introduction by Yoshimi Sakakibara (Linguistics and Languages). 82 minutes.(Kokaku kidokai) (Japan, dir. Oshii Mamoru, 1995)
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."

November 6, Tuesday
"An Abortive Domestic Response to Chinese Corruption: Exposure in Fiction and Film"

• Lecture given by Jeffrey Kinkley (History, St. John's University)
• 4:00pm, room 303 of the International Center
• This is part of the colloquium series "Public Moralities, Sovereignty, and Legitimacy: Violence, Corruption, and other Impunities in Asia".

November 12, Monday
Film Showing: Yi Yi

• A portrayal of life in modern Taiwan comprised of several individual stories coming together to tell the tale of a broken family. 173 minutes.(Taiwan, dir. Edward Yang, 2000)
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."

September 25, Tuesday
Department of History International Film Festival: Ran (Chaos)

• Introduction by Ethan Segal
• 7:00pm, Life Sciences A-133

November 19, Monday
Film Showing: My Mother is a Belly Dancer

• A group of housewives in contemporary Hong Kong are losing their minds, their husbands, and their ability to dicker at the market. Will belly dancing bring back their talents? This film is a satirical commentary on life in Hong Kong since re-unification with China. 100 minutes.(Seelai ng yi cho) (Hong Kong, dir. Kung-lok Lee, 2006)
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."

November 26, Monday
Film Showing: State of Mind

• This documentary follows the life of two North Korean gymnasts as they experience food shortages, power outages, and propoganda filming while training to compete at the Mass Games in Pyongyang. Though the girls have privileges not known to most in communist North Korea, they are also used by the government in what is being called the "charm offensive." 93 minutes(UK, dir. Daniel Gordon, 2004).
• 7:00pm, room B102 Wells Hall
• Part of the series "Living Together, Living Apart: Issues of the Human Environment in Asian Cinema."