Jenny Wang Medina to present on the aesthetics of particularity in 'Korean' literatures on March 8

The Institute for Korean Studies will present a lecture by Jenny Wang Medina, Emory University, on Tuesday, March 8 from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. online (registration required). Dr. Medina will present "Minor Concentrations: Aesthetic Particularity in Contemporary 'Korean' Literatures."

Abstract: While “K-“ has become a signifier for Global Korea in the 21st century, it can refer to a Korean culture that calls on many complex subjectivities in and outside the geographic space of the Korean Peninsula. The concept “Korea” has strong affective meaning for self-identified diasporic Koreans in the margins of a number of multicultural societies around the world. Calling something Korean, whether as “K-“ or “Korean-“, is also influenced by the minority discourse of U.S. racial politics, which has been complicated by the visibility of South Korea’s cultural exports. The insistence on a unifying “K-“ that encompasses many different versions of Korean culture from the diaspora and from the divided peninsula, however, can be seen as an imperializing gesture that attempts to depoliticize national culture in the service of neoliberal subjectivity for the bourgeois transnational class. In this presentation, I would like to discuss the aesthetics of particularity in Korean-American literature (as a subset of Global Anglophone Literature) and Korean literature as ethnic minority and minority language literature. Ethnic minority literature and minority languages literatures can be understood as both genres and translations that have the potential to contest the aesthetic norms of “universal” World Literature that are rewarded when properly transmitted, and marginalized as illegible or underdeveloped when not.

March 15 deadline approaching to apply for International Research and Scholarship Grant

The International Research and Scholarship Grant competition is open to undergraduates, graduates, and faculty. Proposals are sought for a wide range of international projects that can be implemented on campus or abroad.

Projects can address critical issues in a regional context; advance disciplinary and/or interdisciplinary methods; implement collaborative/inclusive research in diverse cultural settings; explore area studies; develop global education that enhances equity, diversity, and inclusion.

The grant competition is sponsored by the Offices of International Affairs, Research, Student Academic Success, and the Global Gateways. The deadline to apply is March 15.

March 15 deadline approaching to apply for Virtual Exchange Global Teaching and Learning Grant

The Office of International Affairs, the Drake Institute for Teaching and Learning, and the Office of Technology and Digital Innovation, are sponsoring the second grant competition to develop internationally focused teaching and learning exchanges at Ohio State, using a variety of online platforms and mediums.

Faculty, instructors, staff, researchers and STEP mentors are all welcome to apply. The broad definition of “Global Learning” is embraced that includes a variety of ways diverse people collaboratively learn and address complex global problems that transcend borders. Research findings show that such high-impact experiences at “home” are great motivators to study, participate in internships, and are better prepared to start their careers.

Proposals are sought for initiating new and diverse global teaching Collaborative Online International Learning and virtual exchange initiatives to internationalize student learning experiences and the development of global competencies.

Stipends will range from $500 to $2,000; funds to be transferred to unit by June 30. The deadline to apply is March 15 at 1:59 p.m.

Prasenjit Duara to present on the genealogy of China’s Belt and Road on March 3

The Humanities Collaboratory will present a lecture by Prasenjit Duara, Duke University, on Thursday, March 3 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. online (registration required). Dr. Duara will present "The Chinese World Order in Historical Perspective: Soft Power or Imperialism of Nation-States?"

Abstract: This talk explores the genealogy of China’s Belt and Road (BRI) in relation both to the imperial Chinese world order and the historical sequence of forms of global domination, i.e., modern imperialism, the ‘imperialism of nation-states’ during the inter-war and Cold War period as well as the post-Cold War notion of ‘soft power’. While we may think of BRI as poised uncertainly between the logics of the older imperial Chinese order and the more recent logic impelled by capitalist nation-states, there are significant novelties in the new Chinese order, mostly in relation to debt, the environment and digital technology which constitute new realms of power not easily dominated by a hegemon.

Nitasha Sharma to present two lectures on March 7

The Asian American Studies program will present two events with Nitasha Sharma, Northwestern University, on Monday, March 7:

"Research, Study, Ethics: A Graduate Workshop" will be held from 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. at Hagerty Hall, Room 198 and online via Zoom. This workshop is open to graduate students and postdocs. Student attendees will receive a copy of Dr. Sharma's new book.

"Black Settlers & Asian Locals? Black Locals & Asian Settlers? Agency and Occupation in the Militarized Hawaiian Islands" will be held from 4:30 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. at Pomerene Hall, Room 150 and online via Zoom. This lecture is free and open to all.

Registration for these events is required. Contact Dr. Pranav Jani, AAS program director, with any questions or for further details.

CLLC to hold "World Language Skills and Compentencies Workshop" on March 7

The Center for Languages, Literatures and Cultures will hold a "World Language Skills and Competencies Workshop" featuring Dr. Stephanie Ford and Thierno Diallo on Monday, March 7 from 3:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. online (registration required).

Are you majoring/minoring in a world language? Do you want to learn how to explain the valuable skills and competencies that you have developed and can offer to potential employers? Email Rebecca Bias to reserve your seat. Space is limited; registration priority given to students in the following majors: Italian, Italian Studies, Romance Studies, French.

Registration open for 15th Annual National Chinese Language Conference

March 1 application deadline approaching for "The Early Modern Vernacular Novel in China and Japan" seminar