Fun Link Friday: Cockatiel Sings Theme to My Neighbor Totoro

Posted on June 7, 2013 by LM

YouTube user pokomarichard’s pet cockatiel sings the My Neighbor Totoro theme with piano accompaniment. The original video is on YouTube.

Via BuzzFeed.

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Job Opening: Communications & Outreach Coordinator, Stanford University

Posted on June 6, 2013 by LM

job opening - 5Institution: Stanford University
Location: Stanford, CA
Posted: 05/23/2013
Type: Full Time
Education: Bachelor’s + experience

Working with the Associate Director for Research, faculty, and program leadership at the Shorenstein Asia-Pacific Research Center (S-APARC), the Communications and Outreach Coordinator will have responsibilities in the following areas: (1) manage and develop new content for the Center website; (2) write and edit Center-related articles, for print and electronic publishing; (3) provide editorial guidance and write feature content for six program websites; (4) manage and expand Center’s social media presence; (5) serve as liaison for on- and off-campus media; (6) represent the Center for Institute and University communications activities; (7) develop relationships with campus and external organizations; (8) assist Center Director with donor stewardship; and (9) oversee Center contact database.

KNOWLEDGE:

  • Bachelor’s degree in International Studies, History or Political Science with minimum of 2-3 years of work experience.
  • Strong writing, proofreading, and editing skills
  • Knowledge of web-based communications, including website management and social media, and contact management systems.
  • Proficiency in computing tools and applications, such as Microsoft Office, web authoring software, Adobe Creative Suite, basic audio and video editing software, and HTML.
  • Ability to work autonomously, interact and communicate professionally with internal and external contacts, and exercise good judgment and discretion.
  • Strong sense of ownership for quality.
  • Good interpersonal and project management skills.
  • Good organization, prioritization, and problem-solving skills.
  • Experience working in a university or other large multi-tiered organization.
  • Understanding of basic website and social media analytics tools helpful.
  • Must possess an understanding of Asian cultures and the knowledge of Asian history, politics and policies desired.
  • Background check will be required for all final candidates. For consideration please submit resume and cover letter.

See full posting on Stanford’s website. Via HighEdJobs.com.

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Call for Papers: Harvard Asia Quarterly

Posted on June 6, 2013 by Paula

call for papers [150-2]Call for Papers:

The Harvard Asia Quarterly (HAQ) is a professional academic journal of Asian studies affiliated with the Harvard University Asia Center. We publish four times per annum on multidisciplinary topics related to issues in East, South, Central, and Southeast Asia. HAQ is indexed by EBSCO Publishing and the Bibliography of Asian Studies.

We are currently seeking submissions for our Summer 2013 issue, which shall be themed “Asia’s Security Future – National Strategies and Regional Institutions “. The theme is broadly defined; articles related to security, in both historical and modern contexts, are all welcome.

Submissions are to be between 4000 and 7000 words, and guidelines for submissions can be downloaded at www.asiaquarterly.com. Articles must be submitted by July 15, 2013 in order to be considered.

Our Spring 2013 issue on “Leaders and Leadership in Asia” is accessible at http://ge.tt/8cRsE3e/v/0 and contains an interview of Anson Chan.

Kindly email questions and submissions to editor@asiaquarterly.com.

—
Erum Sattar
Editor-in-Chief
Harvard Asia Quarterly
www.asiaquarterly.com

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Japan Rail Travel Trick

Posted on June 5, 2013 by Travis

Reblogged from RocketNews24.

Ever wanted to cross Japan by rail but hate the idea of being stuck on the train, watching the scenery flash by without ever being able to get out and experience it? Today we’re going to let you in on a little secret few foreigners are aware of so you can explore further, without having to pay extra for the privilege.

This neat little trick is quite well known in Japan, but there are probably quite a few gaijin out there, and some Japanese people too, who aren’t aware of it. The secret is that Japan Rail (JR) has a special rule for certain tickets, which allows you to get on and off the train as many times as you like on your journey!

・Stop off at places along your route for free!

That’s right, you can get off the train multiple times without having to pay for a new ticket each time you get back on! With a JR passenger ticket you can disembark at any point on a journey that’s 101 kilometers (62 miles) or more, and pass through the gates without having to hand your ticket over. Maybe your legs are starting to feel cramped after sitting for so long? No problem, hop off and give them a stretch in a nearby park. Something in the distance catches your eye? Get off at the next stop and hunt it down. Your journey becomes much more exciting and enjoyable once you know you’re not bound to your seat by a one-use ticket.

Read the rest over at RocketNews24.

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Job Opening: International Programs Advisor, Elon University

Posted on June 4, 2013 by LM

job opening - 5Institution: Elon University
Location: Elon, NC
Posted: 05/28/2013
Application Due: Open Until Filled
Type: Full Time, Interim
Education: bachelor’s degree

Elon University is seeking a highly qualified individual to contribute to our team-oriented work environment for this entry-level, one-year interim position.

Applicants should posess the following qualifications:

  • bachelor’s degree
  • excellent written and oral communication skills
  • good computer skills including familiarity with Word, Excel, Power Point and databases
  • previous study abroad experience
  • proficiency in a second language preferred
  • 1 to 2 years of experience (part time or full time) working in a study abroad office preferred

Experience with Study Abroad preferred

  • The International Programs Advisor will provide study abroad programming, support, promotion and otherwise supports the Global Education Center’s efforts to internationalize the campus.

The successful candidate will:

  • advise students regarding semester and summer study abroad opportunities for a selected region of the world (some possible advising regions include: Spanish-speaking destinations; Africa and the Middle-East; Asia; or the UK & Ireland)
  • manage a portion of short-term study abroad programs including budget preparation, and work with faculty on planning logistics for their course
  • lead study abroad orientation sessions
  • manage general study abroad email account and e-mail distribution list
  • assist with occasional evening and weekend events
  • assist with other projects related to campus internationalization initiatives and programs as assigned

Work will occasionally extend outside normal office hours, including weekend work.

The position will remain open until filled. Apply at www.elon.edu/employment.

Elon University is an equal employment opportunity employer committed to a diverse faculty, staff and student body and welcomes all applicants

See full details at HigherEdJobs.com.

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Funding: ACLS announces initiatives in Buddhist studies

Posted on June 3, 2013 by Paula

money [150-2]The American Council of Learned Societies (ACLS) announces a new initiative supporting research and teaching in Buddhist studies funded by a $1.9 million grant from the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation (http://www.rhfamilyfoundation.org/).

Working with the Foundation, ACLS will offer an articulated set of fellowship and grant competitions that will expand the understanding and interpretation of Buddhist thought in scholarship and society, strengthen international networks of Buddhist studies, and increase the visibility of innovative currents in those studies. ACLS will organize competitions for the following:

http://www.acls.org/programs/buddhist-studies/#diss
Robert H. N.Ho Family Foundation/ACLS Dissertation Fellowships in Buddhist Studies

http://www.acls.org/programs/buddhist-studies/#diss
Robert H. N.Ho Family Foundation/ACLS Postdoctoral Fellowships in Buddhist Studies

http://www.acls.org/programs/buddhist-studies/#collab
Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation/ACLS Collaborative Research Grants in Buddhist Studies

http://www.acls.org/programs/buddhist-studies/#vp

Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation/ACLS Visiting Professorships in Buddhist Studies

These are global competitions. There are no restrictions as to the location of work proposed or the citizenship of applicants.

Applications must be submitted through the ACLS Online Fellowship Application system (OFA). Sample applications and a link to OFA will be available in July 2013.

Further details may be found here:

http://www.acls.org/programs/buddhist-studies/

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Book Announcement: 3.11 as History: a book (E/J)

Posted on June 2, 2013 by Paula

51GSgFUZaIL._SS500_Published on 3.11 by staff members of Tohoku Gakuin University, Sendai.

The title of the book is 『歴史としての東日本大震災　口碑伝承をおろそかにするなかれ』（岩本由輝編、刀水書房、2013年）. It contains 5 articles, written by faculty member living either in the Sendai region, or in Soma City, Fukushima.

Continue reading →

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Job Opening: International Fundraising Development Manager, Oxfam [UK]

Posted on June 1, 2013 by LM

job opening - 5Title: International Fundraising Development Manager Location: Oxford, UK Education: no requirement Deadline: 1 July 2013

About Oxfam A simple, inescapable truth underlines everything we do at Oxfam. There’s enough wealth in this world to go around. It’s not unfortunate that people live in poverty. It’s unjustifiable. And it’s not just their problem. It’s ours too. At Oxfam we believe that with the right support, we can beat poverty and injustice. Thousands of people already commit their time and talents to our campaigning, humanitarian and long-term development projects. Now we’re looking for yours. Context Oxfam International has set up an Income Growth Group (IGG) to oversee a step-change in its international fundraising growth. A fundraising strategy has now been approved by the Executive Directors in the affiliates that make up the Oxfam Confederation. As the largest affiliate within the Oxfam Confederation, Oxfam GB is committed to international fundraising growth, with a particular focus on individual and other private sector giving. It has set aside a strategic investment fund to invest in new markets and to support income growth in smaller affiliates with high growth potential. The initial focus will be in Asian markets. One new market entry for the South Korean market has been approved by Oxfam GB, and there are two high potential affiliates (most likely India and Japan) to be supported. Job Description Purpose: To oversee international fundraising initiatives (focused on individual and other private sector giving) utilising the strategic investment fund set up by Oxfam GB Reporting: Reports to Head of Relationship Marketing (who also Co-chairs the Oxfam International Marketing & Fundraising Leadership Group and is a member of the Oxfam International Income Growth Group) Budget responsibility:

  • The Oxfam GB strategic investment fund is a revolving fund worth £5m
  • The role is business development /consulting so the directly managed budgets are small

Key responsibilities:

  • New markets
    • Development entry strategies for new fundraising markets
    • Co-ordinate the set-up of operations in new fundraising markets and working with Country Managers when these positions have been appointed.
    • Monitor the performance of new fundraising markets versus the agreed business plans, and provide consulting advice to the local teams to respond to new opportunities and challenges.
  • High potential Oxfam affiliates
    • In selected affiliates, work with senior management teams and /or consultants on market reviews to identify new or underdeveloped fundraising opportunities.
    • Provides hands-on support and advice to fundraising teams on their fundraising activities. Transfer knowledge and skills to build fundraising capabilities.
    • Monitor the performance of investments made and provide advice where changes need to be made to plans.
  • Other responsibilities
    • Market scanning to identify emerging trends and fundraising opportunities (especially those that can be scaled and /or replicated in other markets).
    • Contribute to Confederation-wide Income Growth Group (IGG) projects as needed (e.g. developing Face to Face best practice work).

Skills and competences Essential

  • Proven track record in individual giving fundraising
  • Highly commercial with experience of developing business plans for new products or market entry
  • Well tuned consulting skills : ability to listen and communicate well. Experience of managing senior stakeholders. Strong negotiating skills
  • Experience of developing people and/or of training
  • Structured and organised. Able to cut through complexity. Strong problem solver

Desirable

  • Experience of other private sector fundraising such as corporates, foundations, major giving and events
  • Current market knowledge of fundraising in Asia
  • Experience of setting up new businesses
  • Attitudinally
  • Flexible and adaptable to changing priorities and needs
  • Culturally sensitive
  • Can do : takes the initiative
  • Ability and willingness to undertake long-haul travel is an essential requirement of this job.

Closing date for applications: Monday 1st July 2013. See original posting on Idealist.org for details and to apply.

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Job Opening: Postdoc in childhood, education and youth in modern Japan/East Asia

Posted on June 1, 2013 by Paula

job opening - 5The University of Manchester is currently advertising a two year post-doctoral Research Associate position in the History of Childhood and Youth in East Asia, as part of the research project, ‘Remembering and Recording Childhood, Education and Youth in Imperial Japan, 1925-1945’, which I lead with my colleague Dr Aaron Moore of the Department of History. The position is not only open to historians but also to others from related disciplines, such as historical sociology, sociology of education, etc, as well as to those working primarily on other parts of East Asia, provided that they meet the job specifications. The project is funded by the UK Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), and involves both oral history and documentary history elements, though there is no requirement for the successful applicant to be expert or involved in the oral history side (we already have a full-time postdoc on that side, based in Japan). The position is advertised on H-Net and other venues, and applications should be made via the University of Manchester website (http://www.manchester.ac.uk/). Informal enquiries can be made to me (peter.cave@manchester.ac.uk) or to Aaron (aaron.moore@manchester.ac.uk). Closing date is 4 June.

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Fun Link Friday: How To Count Anything In Japanese

Posted on May 31, 2013 by LM
Image via Tofugu.

Image via Tofugu.

Counters are one of the harder parts of Japanese to truly master. At a cafe, you order “二杯のコーヒーと一個のスコーン”; maybe you have 猫三匹 and 二人の姉妹 in your family. I actually just had a lengthy conversation about whether a rolled-up sweater was still 一枚 or if it qualified as 一本.  For those looking to improve your knowledge of counters and impress your friends, Tofugu has just posted a new guide to counters in Japanese:

After you’ve learned the more basic Japanese counters, it ends up coming down to experience if you want to use them correctly after that. Sadly, most of this experience comes over a very long period of time. You see a thing, you see someone count that thing, and then you get a little closer. There just isn’t a resource out there that shows the counter with a list of things that can be counted in this way. I’m hoping to fix that with this guide.

The guide lists all the major counters, as well as which animals, objects, actions, and ideas can be used for each. The list is quite extensive, covering everything from dogs (匹匹) and azuki beans (粒) to skewers (串) and lumps (塊). Check it out on Tofugu‘s “How To Count Anything In Japanese.”

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