Announcement: this week’s posts on 3/11

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Paula

Photo by steven.y

 

In remembrance of those whose lives were lost and devastated by the 3/11/2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, starting tomorrow we will suspend our usual blog content. For the week leading up to 3/11/12, we will be posting materials related to the Tōhoku disaster, including two articles by our regular writers, one who has been volunteering in Fukushima and one who works in Sendai for the JET program. Our information from last year on donations and volunteer opportunities related to the disaster can be found here and here.

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Book Announcement: Russo-Japanese Relations, 1905-17: From enemies to allies

Posted on March 4, 2012 by Paula

Russo-Japanese Relations, 1905-17: From enemies to allies
(Routledge Studies in the Modern History of Asia)
Peter Berton (Author)

http://www.routledge.com/books/details/9780415598996/

Book Description

One surprising outcome of the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 was that, although Russia was humiliatingly defeated, by 1916 Russia and Japan had become allies. This book provides a detailed analysis of how this remarkable turnaround came about. It traces the evolution of relations between the two powers through the conclusion of three public and secret agreements in 1907, 1910, and 1912, and the controversial secret alliance of 1916. The book argues that careful examination of complete records of negotiations from both sides definitively proves the case for Germany, not the United States, as the target of the secret treaty. Based on meticulous examination of documents in both Russian and Japanese foreign policy archives, it charts diplomatic developments, explores how Japanese and Russian thinking evolved, and assesses the wider international impact of the new alliance.

About the Author

Peter Berton is Distinguished Professor Emeritus, School of
International Relations, University of Southern California, USA. His
publications include The Japanese–Russian Territorial Dilemma:
Historical Background, Disputes, Issues, Questions, Solution Scenarios; International Negotiation: Actors, Structure/Process, Values; The Russo-Japanese Boundary: 1850–1875; and The Russian Impact on Japan: Literature and Social Thought.

Hardcover: 224 pages
Publisher: Routledge; 1 edition (November 29, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0415598990
ISBN-13: 978-0415598996

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Preface x
Acknowledgments xii
Explanatory notes xiv
List of abbreviations xv
List of appendices xix
1 Russo-Japanese relations, 1905-1914 1
2 Efforts to conclude alliances at the outbreak of World War I 8
3 Russo-Japanese relations during the early part of World War I 22
4 The torturous road to Japan’s decision on an alliance with Russia 37
5 Conclusion of the Russo-Japanese Alliance of 1916 53
6 The 1916 treaties, China, and the powers 70
7 From enemies to allies: summary and conclusions 83
Notes 92
Appendices 129
Bibliography 171
Index 199

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Job Opening: Monterey Institute of International Studies, Adjunct Faculty

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Nyssa

The Monterey Institute of International Studies is currently requesting applications from interested candidates for the adjunct faculty pool in International Education Management. In August 2012, the Monterey Institute of International Studies will be launching a MA in International Education Management focused on preparing graduates to develop and lead programs to foster meaningful intercultural exchange. Graduates are expected to work in study abroad programs, ESL programs, international student and scholar services, and additional sectors of the international education field. Adjunct faculty are sought to teach courses in the first year of the program (2012-2013). A full-time visiting faculty member appointment would also be considered for the right candidate. There may be opportunities for continued or increased employment in future years.

Additional information on the International Education Management degree program, including descriptions of courses, is available by requesting an information packet from Dr. Katherine Punteney at kpunteney@miis.edu. Candidates may also wish to visit the program website at go.miis.edu/iem.
For a full description of the position and to apply, please visit: https://middlebury.igreentree.com/CSS_MIIS_Staff/CSSPage_Welcome.ASP?T=20120301051822&

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Exhibition: Samurai: The Warrior Transformed

Posted on March 3, 2012 by Paula

Date: March 7, 2012 – September 3, 2012
Time: 10 AM – 6PM Daily
Location: Washington D.C.
Price: Exhibition included in National Geographic Museum Admission; Adults – $8; Members/Military/Seniors (over 62)/Students/Groups (25+) – $6; Children (ages 5-12) – $4; School & youth groups (18 and under) – Free

http://events.nationalgeographic.com/events/exhibits/2012/03/07/samurai/

—

In the Western imagination, “samurai” often conjures up warriors, swords, and armor. Rarely do the words “diplomat” and “cultural ambassador” enter the conversation. However these roles are equally important in understanding the legacy of the samurai as a cultural symbol.

In a uniquely Washington look at the storied Japanese warriors, this exhibition presents the transformation of the samurai. They went from being a feudal military class dominating Japanese history from 1185–1867 to serving as a vehicle for building bridges with the West.

Consider the use of the warrior as a diplomatic tool as you examine swords presented to President Ulysses Grant and elaborate suits of armor given to Presidents Woodrow Wilson and Theodore Roosevelt. Illustrations and photographs further chart the role samurai played in relations between the United States and Japan from their first visit in 1860 through the 1930s.

A companion photography gallery displays images by writer, photographer, and geographer Eliza R. Scidmore who made many visits to Japan beginning 1885. The first woman on the National Geographic Board, she played an instrumental role in the gift of the cherry trees from Tokyo to Washington. The iconic trees are celebrating their 100th anniversary since they were planted along the banks of the Potomac and around the Tidal Basin in 1912. Featuring portraits, pearl diving, and tea ceremonies, her hand-tinted photographs reflect a fascination with Japanese people and culture.

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FLF: 100 Examples of Japanese Municipal Flags

Posted on March 2, 2012 by tnguyen3729

A friend of mine sent an old post from Web Designer Depot of 100 Examples of Japanese Municipal Flags I thought worth sharing. From the Web Designer Depot:

These flags feature highly stylized bicolor geometric symbols, often incorporating Japanese or Latin characters, making them especially interesting from a designer’s perspective. The symbols that are featured are representative of the foundation on which the municipality is built.

The descriptions below each flag help you understand the symbolism within each. I discovered many favorites scrolling through the plethora of flags. I’m sure you too will find some as well. Check out 100 Examples of Japanese Municipal Flags!

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Internship: Japanese Art, Curatorial Intern, Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Paula

Institution:   Clark Center for Japanese Art & Culture
Location:   Hanford,California, United States
Position:   Curatorial Intern

The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture in Hanford, California, is accepting applications for its curatorial intern program.  The internship will begin on an agreed date in late 2012 or early 2013 and will last for one year.

The program offers a tremendous opportunity for training and hands-on experience in multiple aspects of museum management, including art registration, handling and storage, record keeping and research, acquisitions and loans, installation and presentation to the public, maintaining a reference library.  Interns will be exposed to a wide range of subjects and media, broadening and deepening their knowledge of diverse aspects of Japanese art usually not taught at university.

The internship will culminate with the intern’s production of an exhibition around the end of the internship.

The internship is a 12-month position, and offers on-site housing with utilities included, a car for local use and an $18,000 stipend.

The ideal candidate would be a graduate student in Japanese art history with a working knowledge of Japanese who wishes to pursue a museum or academic career. Previous Clark Center interns have received appointments at such prestigious institutions as the Boston Museum of Fine Arts, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Cleveland Museum of Art, the Peabody-Essex Museum, the University of Heidelberg, the University Art Museum of the Tokyo University of the Arts and the State Art Collections, Dresden.

Contact: To apply, candidates should submit a cover letter, resume, a writing sample, and one letter of recommendation to:

Barbara McCasland
Assistant to the Director
The Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture
15770 Tenth Avenue
Hanford, California  93230
USA

Applications are also accepted via email (pdf preferred) at mccasland@ccjac.org, though we may subsequently request follow-up materials in hard copy.
Please Note:  Applications must be received by March 31, 2012

Website: www.ccjac.org

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MA Film and History at SOAS (University of London)

Posted on March 1, 2012 by Paula


This MA programme provides students with the opportunity to acquire expert knowledge of film in historical context as a means of mastering transferable analytical skills and so prepare students for a variety of professional or research careers. The program can be adapted to meet a wide range of interests. Its bi-directional focus on the disciplines of film and history also provides students with a flexible series of modular units from which to choose. The core course examines the representation of history in film, and film in history by placing filmic representations of the societies and diasporas of/from/between Asia and Africa into historical context. Students will critically evaluate a range of issues relating to the reliability of film as the grounds for making inferences about the national and transnational histories of Asia, Africa and the Near and Middle East with particular attention to the critical evaluation of film as a source for, and product of, the historian’s accounts of the past.

Students who enroll for this MA will engage in interdisciplinary analysis of film and history alongside SOAS academic who regularly consult for the film and television industries. Students will also be simultaneous members of the History Department and Film and Media Studies Centres which host regular events including roundtables and panel discussions with leading academics and film makers. Internship opportunities also available to students registered on the MA Programme. MA graduates will obtain a nuanced and specialised understanding of interconnectedness of media and history that will serve a variety of career options in business, media, culture and heritage, academia, and the arts.

For further information regarding admissions and degree structure visit:
http://www.soas.ac.uk/mafilmandhistory/

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Call for Papers: Icons of Impermanence: Contemporary Buddhist Art

Posted on February 29, 2012 by Paula

http://ubcbuddhism.wordpress.com/2012/02/02/2345/

UBC’s Buddhism and Contemporary Society Program, funded by The Tung Lin Kok Yuen Canada Foundation, will hold a conference on contemporary Buddhist art July 6-8, 2012 at the University of British Columbia’s Point Grey campus. Part of event series for Summer 2012 that includes the “Visions of Enlightenment” exhibition (May 10 – September 30), sponsored by the Canadian Society for Asian Arts, at the Museum of Anthropology, UBC.

Abstract submission deadline: April 10, 2012
Conference weekend: July 6-8, 2012

In Buddhism, as in other major religions, the visual arts have played a central role. Buddhist artists and artisans created images that inspired by their form and function.  As Buddhism spread from place to place, it adapted local artistic traditions, creating styles and symbol-sets that not only represented Buddhism but, simultaneously, remained in touch with local sensibilities and culture. Portrayals of the Buddha and other important figures in stone, wood, bronze, and ink, for example, continue to anchor local communities, serve as their ritual center, and convey their teachings to new generations.

Today, a number of prominent Buddhist styles and symbols are recognized the world over–forming what is called “traditional” Buddhist art. In the face of this broad recognition of the traditional, it is easy to forget that the processes of localization, transformation, and creation are still at work. As demonstrated by Nam Jun Paik’s “Buddha” (1989), Mariko Mori’s “Enlightenment Capsule” (1998), Xu Bing’s “Where Does the Dust Itself Collect?” (2004), or Gonkar Gyatso’s “Buddha in Our Time” (2007), contemporary artists draw upon Buddhist iconic, conceptual, and ritual traditions to create works that speak to present day struggles with identity, politics, social practice, and consumer culture. Buddhist artists combine new and old media and display influences from the many kinds of training available in a mobile, globalized world: whether in traditions descended from the European fine arts, apprenticeship in the creation of Buddhist icons, or in the enclaves of the avant-garde.

How to submit an abstract:
We invite the submission of paper abstracts (150 words) and a brief CV (no more than 1 page) tobcsprogram@gmail.com by April 10, 2012. We encourage papers that explore (1) any facet of contemporary Buddhist art, or (2) contemporary issues in relation to Buddhist antiquities
and traditional art objects. Papers may, for example:

– explore definitions of “contemporary Buddhist art”
– interpret form or content of art works using theory in the visual arts
– describe specific works, particular artists, or artistic communities
– examine the transnational linkages of contemporary Buddhist art
– explore local and global issues in the preservation, management, trade, and exhibition of Buddhist antiquities
– examine the deployment of traditional Buddhist art for contemporary political, cultural, or religious purposes that differ from original context and use

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Job Opening: Resident Manager, Summer 2012, IES Abroad Tokyo Center

Posted on February 28, 2012 by Paula

Institution:   IES Abroad Tokyo Center (non-profit)
Location:   Japan
Position:   Administrator; Resident Manager for Study Abroad Program in Tokyo, Summer 2012

IES Abroad, a non-profit educational institution providing quality study abroad programs for over sixty years, is looking for a highly motivated Resident Manager (hereafter RM) for the Summer program in Tokyo. The Tokyo Summer program is six-weeks long, from June to July, catering to participants from universities and colleges in the United States.

The role of the Summer Program RM is to ensure that student life, mainly at National Olympics Memorial Youth Center in Yoyogi (hereafter NYC), is safe, healthy, and pleasant. The RM will be based in the NYC. The post requires a strong interest in international education, intercultural development and the ability to work with students from diverse backgrounds.

Responsibilities:
The Resident Manager will:
– Act as a student advisor as appropriate.
– Provide local information and advice to the students according to their needs.
– Reside on the grounds of NYC during the term, and be available for the students, including nights and weekends.
– Act as a liaison between IES Abroad staff and NYC when necessary.
– Monitor students’ health and safety and report to the Summer Program Coordinator.
– Ensure the IES student residential area at NYC is safe, healthy, and pleasant.
– Support student arrivals and conduct the student life session at the welcome orientation.
– Support the Summer Program Coordinator in implementing a variety of cultural activities and events.
– Understand and enforce policies and regulations of IES Abroad, NYC, as well as local Japanese laws.

Qualifications
The candidate must be highly motivated to promote international experiences and inter-cultural communication. The candidate must have high moral and educational standards. Excellent interpersonal communication skill is required; the candidate should possess native or near-native speaker fluency in Japanese and a strong command of English. The candidate must be knowledgeable about geography and activities in Tokyo and Japan. Basic proficiency with personal computers (primarily PCs), especially email and Microsoft Office is also highly desirable.

Candidates should be available to begin working from mid-May, and have a flexible schedule in order to accommodate occasional early morning, late evening and weekend student activities.

Compensation
Remuneration will be based on the candidates’ qualification and competence. The package includes a stipend for the over-night duties at NYC. Local transportation and other expenses will also be covered.

Review of applications will begin immediately and continue until the position is filled.

IES is an equal opportunity employer and encourages applications from all qualified candidates.

Contact: Interested candidates should send a letter of interest and resume (either in Japanese or English with a recent photo attached) to the address below. Finalists will be called for an interview. Review of applications will begin immediately, and continue until the position is filled.

IES Abroad Tokyo Center
Attn: Karl Friday
1-7-1 Nakase, SCEC Bldg 3F.
Mihama-ku, Chiba-shi, Chiba 261-0023 JAPAN
Tel. 043-211-8678 Fax. 043-211-8677

Applications by email (to kfriday@iesabroad.org) are also welcome.

Website: https://www.iesabroad.org/IES/Programs/Japan/Tokyo_Summer/tokyoSummer.html

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Funding: CIEE Scholarships for Study Abroad (3)

Posted on February 27, 2012 by Paula

Council on International Educational Exchange

http://www.ciee.org/study-abroad/scholarships/

For many students, a study abroad experience is only possible with financial assistance. Each year CIEE awards scholarships and grants to students who plan to study overseas.

Competition for the CIEE scholarships and grants is keen and the quality of the materials submitted is very important. The scholarship application procedure is entirely independent from the CIEE program application.

Students should discuss all financial aid planning with their campus financial aid and study abroad advisor. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that their scholarship application is complete.

Applications and Deadlines

Once you begin a study abroad application with CIEE, you have access to the CIEE online scholarship application as well. It guides you through the process, helping you identify CIEE scholarships of interest, determine deadlines and submit the necessary information. If you have already started a study abroad application with us, log in to your account, and then visit the Program section to begin the scholarship process. As part of this process, you will need to provide:

One scholarship essay that includes:

  • Your objectives for your time overseas with CIEE
  • Your academic and/or professional goals, and how your study abroad program will support them
  • Details of your financial need and how the scholarship will assist you in meeting your individual goals
  • Describe any extenuating circumstances that may be relevant in the consideration of your scholarship application
  • Additional explanations specific to the scholarships for which you are applying (Additional requirements outlined in the specific scholarship eligibility requirements and instructions. Failure to include these additional requirements in your essay could jeopardize your scholarship application.)

A complete financial aid administrator form

Your complete Study Abroad program application by April 1 for summer, fall, and academic year, or by November 1 for winter, spring, and calendar year.

Please note: Competition for the CIEE scholarships and grants is keen and the quality of the materials submitted is very important. In addition to the scholarship form and essay, applications are reviewed based upon the information provided in the program application, including the personal statement, academic information, transcripts, and evaluations. Financial need and academic excellence are strongly considered.

Scholarship Application Deadlines

Deadline

Term

Scholarship Notification Announcements
April 1 summer, fall, and academic year programs First week of May
November 1 winter, spring and calendar year programs First week of December

Scholarship application documents and completed program applications and materials must be submitted by the dates shown above. Please note: scholarship application deadlines are evaluated independently of program application deadlines and will not be extended even if the program application deadline is extended.

Return Requirement

Upon returning from abroad, all CIEE scholarship or grant recipients must submit a creative report demonstrating how the program allowed them to interact with the host culture, how the program enhanced their language skills and/or understanding of cultural and social issues, and how the program activities related to their future academic and/or career goals. Students are encouraged to be creative in their presentation of this report. Please note that this mandatory essay and all other materials submitted for this report become the property of CIEE and may be used in print and/or electronic publications. Please send to: mystory@ciee.org.

Selection

In addition to the scholarship form and essay, applications may also be reviewed based upon the information provided in the program application, including the personal statement, academic information, transcripts, and evaluations. Financial need and academic excellence are strongly considered.

Notification of Award Status

Students selected for awards will be notified of their status by e-mail approximately four weeks after the application deadline. A list of awardees will be posted here at that time as well.

CIEE Student Scholarship Programs for Education Abroad

John E. Bowman Travel Grants

The Bowman Travel Grants were established in memory of John E. Bowman, Executive Director of CIEE from 1952 to 1979. These awards provide assistance to students participating in CIEE study abroad programs in non-traditional locations. They help to defray the costs of travel.

Eligibility

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

  • The applicant must attend a CIEE Member or CIEE Academic Consortium member institution. CIEE Member institutions can be found here and CIEE Academic Consortium member institutions can be found here
  • The applicant must plan to study at a CIEE Study Center in a non-traditional destination. Regions currently eligible include: Africa, Asia, Eastern Europe, and Latin America.

Awards

All awards are $1,000 and are issued directly to the student, after all other program fees have been paid, to help defray the cost of travel.

For students whose school is billed for all fees, the award will be released within four weeks of award notification.

Robert B. Bailey Scholarship

The Robert B. Bailey Scholarship is intended to promote the participation in CIEE programs of individuals or members of groups that have traditionally been underrepresented in study abroad, especially ethnic minority students.

These awards are named in honor of Robert B. Bailey III, former member of CIEE’s Board of Directors and Professor of Sociology and Director of Study Abroad at the University of Wisconsin-River Falls.

Eligibility

Available to CIEE Study Center applicants only. The applicant must be self-identified as belonging to an underrepresented group.

In your Scholarship Essay, please answer the following additional questions:

  • Please specify the group to which you belong and which you believe is underrepresented in study abroad. How does your membership in that underrepresented group factor into your choice of program/destination?
  • As a member of an underrepresented group, how do you plan to integrate this international experience into future academic, community, professional, and extracurricular activities?

Awards

Beginning in spring 2009, award amounts are $1,500 for semester or yearlong programs and $500 for summer programs. The award is applied toward the applicant’s CIEE program fee.

Peter Wollitzer Scholarships for Study in Asia

The Wollitzer Scholarships were established by the Ping Foundation in 2006 in memory of Peter Wollitzer, Regional Director at the university-wide office of the University of California Education Abroad Program. Peter had a long affiliation with CIEE and was a strong proponent of CIEE Study Centers around the world. He most recently was a member of the CIEE Academic Consortium Board. These awards provide assistance to students from CIEE Academic Consortium Board Member institutions who are participating in CIEE study abroad programs in Asia.

Eligibility

Applicants must fulfill the following criteria:

1. The applicant must participate in a CIEE Study Center program in Asia. This includes:

  • Cambodia
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • Korea
  • Taiwan
  • Thailand

2. The applicant must attend a CIEE Academic Consortium Board Member institution. For Spring 2012 these include:

  • Arizona State University
  • Brown University
  • Fordham University
  • Oberlin College
  • Pacific Lutheran University
  • Princeton University
  • Purdue University
  • Reed College
  • South Dakota State University
  • The University of Texas at Austin
  • University of North Carolina at Charlotte
  • University of Tulsa
  • Washington University
  • In honor of Peter Wollitzer: University of California EAP

Awards

One award is made each semester in the amount of $2,000 and two awards of $500 each are made for summer programs. The awards are applied to the applicant’s CIEE program fee.

CIEE International Study Programs (CIEE-ISP) Scholarships

In an effort to make study abroad opportunities available to the widest possible audience, CIEE offers scholarships each year to students who demonstrate both academic excellence and financial need.

Eligibility

Available to CIEE Study Center applicants from CIEE Member or CIEE Academic Consortium Member institutions only. CIEE Member institutions can be found here and CIEE Academic Consortium member institutions can be found here.

Awards

Beginning in spring 2009, award amounts are $2,000 for semester or yearlong programs, and $1,000 for summer programs. The award is applied toward the applicant’s CIEE program fee.

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