Faculty Trip to China Aids East Asian Studies Program
Six political
science faculty members recently traveled to China to study the nation’s culture, economy and history in order to integrate their findings into the university’s renowned East Asian Studies program and across the curriculum.The group traveled to Beijing, Xian, Hangzhou and Shanghai, China, thanks to a Freeman Foundation grant, written primarily by Associate Professor Bin Yu. Joining Yu on the trip were Professor George Hudson, chair of the department and director of Russian studies, Professor Rob Baker, Associate Professor Staci Rhine, Instructor Heather Wright, and Instructor and Assistant Dean of Judicial Affairs John Young.
“Our travels sensitized us to Chinese culture,” Hudson said. “The country is a driving economic force. Capitalism is alive and well and growing. Ads are everywhere. We could see it all around us.”
Hudson credits Yu, a native of China and a China specialist, with the significant academic contacts the group made in their visits to Fudan University in Shanghai and Beijing University and with the American Studies Association of China.
In addition to bringing back extensive knowledge to share with their students, the group also plans to create a yearlong colloquium series on China and East Asia for the 2006-2007 academic year. .