UH Manoa Asian Studies Department

We're excited to introduce Saung Yanant Pyae Kyaw, a new student from Myanmar currently pursuing a Master of Asian International Affairs (MAIA) and serving as an East-West Center Graduate Degree Fellow. In 2018, she completed her first BA in English from Dagon University of Distance Education in Myanmar. In 2022, as a Child's Dream Scholar, she earned her second BA in International Political Economy and Development from Rangsit University in Thailand. Prior to her current studies, she worked as a research associate for a Myanmar-based think tank and as a freelance digital verification analyst at AFP Fact Story. She aspires to become a research analyst specializing in peace and conflict resolution, foreign diplomacy, and political economy across the Asia-Pacific region. Regarding her choice of the MAIA program, she believes that "The Master of Asian International Affairs program will equip me with the knowledge and skills to make a meaningful impact on Asia-related real-world problems." With her determination and expertise, Saung Yanant Pyae Kyaw is poised to become a leader in the field. Welcome, Natalia!

ASAN 305: Career Pathways in Asian Studies
Dr. Cathy Clayton
MWF 12:30-1:20pm
MOORE 120

Fal 2024

Reminder for Students! The deadline to add or drop classes is today Sep 3, 2024.

Don't forget! The deadline to add or drop classes is September 3rd.

Study Abroad in Asian Studies
Since spending time in Asia is the best way to learn about Asia, we encourage you to study abroad. You can apply for funding through our department or one of the School of Pacific and Asian Studies area centers.

Since learning a language can give you insights into a culture that you can't get any other way—and since knowing an Asian language can give you a real advantage in the job market—study of an Asian language is required for our degrees.

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

Are you interested in a paid internship with a Hawaiian based research institute? Pacific Forum,a think tank in Honolulu,is hiring a part-time intern to assist with the Young Leaders Program. Apply directly: https://form.jotform.com/241 367263756160 or email below your interest
[email protected]

MUS 311I: Gagaku Prof. Darin Miyashiro
W 3:00 - 4:50 pm
MUS 114
All are welcome!

ASAN 303: Bollywood Dance, Music, & Film
Dr. Sai Bhatawadekar
W 9:30-11:45am | DB Class
F 9:30-10:45am | DB Studio

Fall 2024

ASAN 259: East Asian Popular Cultures
Dr. Sun-Ki Chai
TR 10:30-11:45am
Online

Fall 2024

ASAN 202: Intro to Asian Studies: South & Southeast Asia
Prof. Ben Moseley
Online Asynchronous

Fall 2024

ASAN 150: Intro Asia Research & Writing
Instructor TBA
MWF 1:30-2:30pm
KUY 207

Fall 2024

Aloha! I'm Sui hluan, the new Web and communication GA for the asian studies department! I'm from Myanmar and currently in my second year of the MA in asian studies. I'll be managing our social media, excited to keep you updated on all things in the department. Feel free to reach out if you have any questions or idea you'd like to see featured. looking forward to connecting with you all!!!

Don't miss the UROP student feature of Asian Studies BA student, Kyaw Hsan Hlaing!

Read more at:
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/kyaw-hsan-hlaing-featured-on-urop-blog/

Congratulations to all our returning students for successfully completing the previous academic year! To our new students, welcome to the start of an exciting new year. We wish you all the best for a successful and rewarding academic journey ahead. 🌟📚

UH Mānoa is part of the Affirming Multivocal Humanities, a new set of grants from the Mellon Foundation that recognize the importance of studying race, ethnic, gender, and s*xuality studies. Learn more: https://on.mellon.org/AMH2024

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Honolulu, HI) - $1,250,000: This three-year initiative will launch an interdisciplinary thematic cluster on Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) environmental humanities and environmental justice, focused on the role of the humanities in addressing critical questions about environmental justice for AAPI communities in Hawai'i, at UHM, and across the US, Asia, and Oceania. The primary goal of the grant is to advance environmental humanities towards environmental justice and educational equity for AAPI students with long-term local, regional, and national impact. Mellon Foundation Call_uhmanoa

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa awarded $1.25 million from the Mellon Foundation https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/university-of-hawai%ca%bbi-at-manoa-awarded-1-25-million-from-the-mellon-foundation/

Yesterday, March 26, the Mellon Foundation has recognized UH Mānoa as one of 66 institutions that is boldly advancing the study of race, ethnicity, gender, and s*xuality in the US today. Learn more: https://on.mellon.org/AMH2024

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa (Honolulu, HI) - This three-year initiative will launch an interdisciplinary thematic cluster on Asian-American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) environmental humanities and environmental justice, focused on the role of the humanities in addressing critical questions about environmental justice for AAPI communities in Hawai'i, at UHM, and across the US, Asia, and Oceania. The primary goal of the grant is to advance environmental humanities towards environmental justice and educational equity for AAPI students with long-term local, regional, and national impact.

Call_uhmanoa

University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa awarded $1.25 million from the Mellon Foundation https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/university-of-hawai%ca%bbi-at-manoa-awarded-1-25-million-from-the-mellon-foundation/

The 21st Century will be the Asian Century
The politics, cultures, and economies of Asia will play important roles as people around the globe cooperate to address common challenges and opportunities.
Follow along this month as we share info about our programs and how to join our department!

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

Turn your passion into a career!

What EMPLOYERS want:
Bloomberg lists six of the top skills employers look for in college graduates:
I. Communication (oral & written) skills
2. Critical & analytical thinking
3. Teamwork & collaboration
4. Creative problem- solving
5. Leadership skills
6. Technical mastery of a particular field

What you will get in ASIAN STUDIES:
I. Communication skills to outline, organize and write papers and present them to a group
2. Analytical skills to frame issues from different perspectives
3. Experience collaborating with others in English or another language
4. Research skills to find, evaluate, and synthesize sources of information
5. Appreciation of the importance of a global mindset
6. An understanding of the interrelationship of economics, politics, literature, religion, arts and history of one or more Asian countries, and intermediate college level fluency in an Asian language

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

The 21st Century will be the Asian Century

The politics, cultures, and economies of Asia will play important roles as people around the globe cooperate to address common challenges and opportunities.

Learn more at https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/

ASAN 689: International Relations in Asia
Instructor: TBA
W 5:30-8:00pm
Online

Fall 2024

ASAN 654: South Asia Now
Dr. Anna Stirr
R 5:30-8:00pm
MOORE 204

Fall 2024

ASAN 608: Politics & Development: China
Dr. Kate Zhou
M 3:00-5:30pm
SAUND 624

Fall 2024

Congratulations to Monica Orillo for a successful MA defense! An insightful look at memory and the Philippines’ martial law period.

ASAN 600S: Approaches: Southeast Asia
Dr. Patricio Abinales
T 1:30-4:00pm
KUY 205

Fall 2024

Looking for another course for Fall 2024? Postocolonial Narrative Cinema from India and Africa
Tuesday & Thursday, 12:00-1:15 pm
W and DH focus
Prof. Subramanian Shankar, Department of English

India and Africa have some of the most exciting food, music, literature, dance and movies anywhere in the world. The cinema from these parts of the world range from pop entertainments with eye- and ear- seducing dance and music (Bollywood) to powerful political dramas (Ousmane Sembene). Some of the greatest filmmakers of the world hail from India and Africa—and some of the most influential.

The films we watch will take us to discussions such as the following: the use of music and dance in cinema; nationalism in colonial situations; representations of the poor; the place of women in traditional societies; the reasons for the relative absence of women film directors (though we will watch films by several women directors); cinema as a mass entertainment industry; cinema as a quintessentially modern cultural form; language in cinema; cinema as political statement. To help us navigate these issues of postcolonial narrative cinema, we will read supplementary critical essays.

Check out this celebrated song-dance sequence from the Indian film Dil Se: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APo73rlxWaE&t=10s
This song featuring the superstar Shahrukh Khan was composed by legendary music composer A. R. Rahman with lyrics by Gulzar for a film directed by equally legendary Indian director Mani Ratnam. And it was used by iconic African American filmmaker Spike Lee in his film Inside Man. This reuse by Spike Lee is just one example of the global influence of cinema from India and Africa.
This course, then, is an introduction to the vibrant film culture from these parts of the world–India and various African countries–and the filmmakers behind them. The film industry in India is the largest in the world and has a huge viewership both inside the country and outside. It is largely dominated by commercial compulsions. The situation with regard to African cinema is very different, commercially much more precarious. For a long time African cinema, led by Senegalese filmmakers, was more auteur driven, though this has changed in the last twenty years, especially with what is called Nollywood (based mainly in Nigeria). The objective of this course is to explore some examples of the diverse traditions of filmmaking in India and various African countries but within a linked socio-political postcolonial context—i.e. filmmaking after the ending of colonialism.

More at:

https://english.hawaii.edu/course/studies-film-5/

ASAN 600K: Approaches: Korea
Dr. Young-a Park
W 2:30-5:00pm
MOORE 207

Fall 2024

Congratulations to our Spring 2024 Graduates!!
Vanice Rodriguez, Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: Korea
Main research topic: Digital s*x crimes in South Korea
Plan B paper: Tethered to Patriarchy: Perceptions of Women & Digital S*x Crimes in South Korea.

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? I met a lot of great people during my time here and I really think they helped to shape my time here at UH.

What's next? Work.

Read more about Vanice and our other graduates at:
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/spring-2024-graduates/

ASAN 600J: Approaches: Japan
Dr. Lonny Carlile
M 1:30-4:00pm
MOORE 204

Fall 2024

Congratulations to our Spring 2024 Graduates!!

Monica Orillo, Master of Arts in Asian Studies
Area of Focus: Southeast Asia and the Philippines
Main research topic: Memory of martial law under Marcos Sr.

What was the most impactful aspect of your time here at UH? I really enjoyed having the chance to take classes across the humanities and social sciences. I learned from fantastic professors and classmates in courses that touched on so many different topics, and I appreciate that UH gave me such a well-rounded, multidisciplinary education.

What's next? I'll be interning in Vienna, Austria at the U.S. diplomatic mission to the United Nations for the summer. Then I'll begin working as a diplomat in September for at least 5 years through the State Department's Pickering Fellowship.

Any advice for incoming students? Don't be afraid of taking classes outside of your usual area of focus! The MAAS program gives students the opportunity to get an interdisciplinary education, and it's great to learn from different disciplines and broaden your academic horizons.

Read more about Monica and our other graduates at:
https://manoa.hawaii.edu/asianstudies/spring-2024-graduates/