Reposted from the Global Asias Initiative:

Join us to celebrate Professor Sharon Tran's new book, Asian Girlhood in the Shadows of US Empire! We are excited to gather on Wednesday, 4/29 at noon in FA 558 to talk about this new book and enjoy some refreshments together.

Book Raffle:

Asian Studies will be giving away a copy of Dr. Tran's book to one affiliate faculty member and one student at the celebration. 

Book Summary:

Representations of the “Asian girl” as lucky objects of humanitarian rescue and rehabilitation have been used to advance America’s imperial ambitions from World War II to the wars in Korean and Viet Nam. In this compelling work, Sharon N. Tran traces the production and instrumentalization of this figure through an examination of state documents, military newspapers, documentary photographs, and other archival materials. Theorizing “Asian girlhood” as a technology of imperial power, Tran exposes how the Asian girl is invoked as a shield that protects the innocence of US empire while she is excluded from innocence herself—relegated instead to a precarious position between child and adult, human and nonhuman, plaything and laborer.

Offering fresh insight into how imperial power operates, Tran analyzes figures such as the Japanese American school-girl in the context of World War II incarceration, the elusive “camptown girl,” and the objectified image of the “Napalm Girl.” Her innovative feminist approach interrogates the tendency to reclaim innocence for the Asian girl or to reframe her as an empowered woman. She engages the work of writers and artists such as Kiku Hughes, Nora Okja Keller, Aimee Phan, and lê thi diem thúy to demonstrate how Asian American literature offers rich theoretical interventions for critiquing the child–adult dichotomy that underpins key structures of imperial domination, illuminating more capacious conceptions of girlhood.

Restoring the dignity and agency of a figure too often denied both, Asian Girlhood in the Shadows of US Empire is a groundbreaking intersectional contribution to studies of gender, race, childhood, and state power.

This event is open for full participation by all individuals regardless of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, or any other protected category under applicable federal law, state law, and the University's nondiscrimination policy.

Asian Studies is thrilled to welcome all of our new and returning students to campus for Fall 2023! Whether you're just starting here at UMBC or are approaching the completion of your studies, we're excited to see you and look forward to learning alongside you this semester. 

Look for this newsletter from us every week, with information about events, special programs, and other news that might be of interest for Asian Studies students. 

Welcome Week Sushi Lunch

Join us tomorrow for one of our favorite recent traditions, the Welcome Week Sushi Lunch! We'll be in the Fine Arts Amphitheatre (access through the Fine Arts Recital Hall Lobby) with sushi, snacks, and Asian Studies giveaways. Stop by to say hello to faculty and friends and catch up after the summer break!

InterACT Dialogues Program 2023

The Interact Dialogues Program is a 4-week experience designed for students to learn and practice skills to become inclusive leaders and engaged community members. Interact is a space where students can develop leadership skills and cultivate a deep sense of belonging to the UMBC campus and community. During the program, students will meet in small, peer-facilitated groups for about 90 minutes each week based on their schedules. 

Click here for more information about the program; if you're interested in joining the program, you can click here to complete the interest form. 

Library Resources & Workshops

UMBC's Albin O. Kuhn Library is a valuable resource for all of your research needs, with seven floors of material for you to browse and utilize. Aside from the collections, did you know that the library also offers workshops, equipment [laptops, etc] rentals, and study space? Find out more about everything it has to offer on the Library Website! 

Of particular note are the Writing Wednesday Workshops, which take place once a month throughout the semester: 

Research 101
Wednesday, 9/6 @ 4-5pm Link

Stepping up your research game: Searching strategically
Wednesday, 10/4 @ 4-5pm Link

How to Cite sources for your research and writing
Wednesday, 11/1 @ 4-5pm Link

Finding your flow: Navigating final papers
Wednesday, 12/6 @ 4-5pm Link 

ASCOM Seeking New Leadership

Have you been looking for a way to get involved on campus and with Asian Studies? ASCOM - the Asian Studies Council of Majors - is looking for student leaders! In the past, ASCOM has held meetings and events periodically throughout the academic year for fellow students, ranging from craft-making to movie nights and everything in between. 

If this sounds like something you'd like to be part of, let us know! 

Job Opportunities with SAADA

The South Asian American Digital Archive is hiring for two full-time, exempt positions! 

Community Engagement Coordinator - this position will work with members of the South Asian American community to establish relationships with donors and volunteers who can contribute to supporting SAADA's work. Learn more about the position here.

Education Outreach Manager - this position will work directly with educators and administrators to ensure that South Asian American stories form an integral, meaningful part of K-12 and college/university curricula. Learn more about this position here. 

Asian Studies Summer Office Hours

The Asian Studies office is open Monday-Thursday, 8:30-1:30, in June and August. If you are on campus, please feel free to stop by and say hello - we're always happy to see you and to help with anything you might need. 

The office will be closed for in-person assistance from July 2-20. We are always available by email, and you can also reach Dr. Oyen directly by email at any time, too. 

The end of the semester is quickly approaching. There are plenty of resources on campus to support you as we get to finals season - one of those is Retriever Essentials, which has recently debuted its new Essential Space in the RAC. Anyone in need can swing by to pick up non-perishable food, toiletries, and other items, all free, and all available to anyone in the UMBC community. 

TESOL Program Information Sessions

UMBC's TESOL program is hosting two information sessions in early May for students who may be interested in teaching English after they finish their other UMBC studies. The sessions focus on local and global opportunities to teach English in a variety of settings such as international schools, language schools, public schools, community colleges/universities, adult education, missionary work, refugee resettlement, and more as well as the different kinds of professional training needed for these career directions. 

Both sessions will cover the same material. Click on either session below for registration details and more information: 

Thursday, May 5 session - 8-9am
Friday, May 9 session - 6-7pm

Calls for Papers and Proposals

MARAAS - October 1-2, 2022 - Philadelphia

The 50th meeting of MARAAS will take place on October 1 and 2 at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. As we celebrate the 50th annual meeting of the Mid-Atlantic Region of the Association for Asian Studies, we consider this question: Where is Asian studies now?

We welcome applications for panels of 3–4 people as well as individual paper submissions. Panel proposals may include a discussant, and members of panels may be from the same institution.

Please visit the conference website to submit paper or panel proposals by May 23, 2022. 

ASIANetwork Annual Conference - April 14-16, 2023 - Columbus, Ohio

The ASIANetwork invites students to submit poster proposals for their 2023 conference in Columbus, Ohio. Posters can be on any topic relating to Asian Studies and can be from any academic discipline. 

Learn more about submission guidelines at the conference website. The proposal submission deadline is November 1, 2022. 

ASIANetwork is also accepting submissions for its McJimsey Essay Award. If you've written a great essay about something related to Asian Studies, consider applying for this award, which comes with a cash prize, an opportunity to present your work at the ASIANetwork annual conference, and publication of your work. You have plenty of time - the submission deadline is January 2023 - but if you're interested in submitting your work, contact Dr. Oyen. 

NeMLA 2023 - March 23-26, 2023 - Niagara Falls, NY

The Northeast Modern Language Association's 54th annual conference will be held in Niagara Falls, New York, in March 2023. The association welcomes abstract proposals on the theme of Resilience. Undergraduate proposals are due November 1, 2022. Visit their conference website to learn more about NeMLA and their Call for Papers.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• TESOL Info Sessions - May 5 and May 9 (see above)
• May 17: Last Day of Classes; last day for full-term withdrawal
• May 18: Study Day
• May 19-22: Finals 
• May 26: Spring 2022 Undergraduate Commencement

As spring continues to roll across Maryland, it's also in full swing elsewhere around the world. Even if it's dreary today here on campus, you can always take a few moments to tune into part of this archived stream from China's CGTV channel of last year's scenery around the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall of China. 

For those celebrating this coming weekend, we wish you a happy Passover and a happy Easter! 

Advising and Registration for Fall 2022 are Ongoing!

Advising and registration for Fall 2022 is underway. If you have already had your advising appointment, great - thank you! If you still need to schedule one, that's okay! Learn more about signing up for Fall 2022 classes on our website, or check out our myUMBC notice. 

Remember: you must have your advising clearance from Dr. Oyen before you can sign up for classes. If you're not sure what classes you want to take, it's okay to think about it and complete your registration later - talk to Dr. Oyen about your options at your advising appointment! 

Tomorrow: Lecturer Candidate Presentation - 11am

We hope that you'll be able to join us as we welcome a faculty candidate to campus tomorrow. The candidate will give a presentation entitled "What is Asia?" at 11am in Fine Arts 558. Students are welcome to attend in-person or via WebEx online; in-person attendees will receive a free boxed lunch and, if they'd like one, an Asian Studies t-shirt. You can RSVP for the presentation on the myUMBC event page!  

Summer Registration is Ongoing!

Thinking about a summer class, but haven't signed up quite yet? There's still time! Visit the Summer Session website to learn more about course offerings, financial aid, and other important details about catching up or getting ahead during the summer term. Dr. Oyen can also help you with any summer session questions during your Fall advising appointment. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

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[Thumbnail image ID: Part of the Huanghuacheng section of the Great Wall of China crosses a ridge. The ridge is blanketed in trees covered with new green leaves and bright pink flowers.]

Study Abroad Application Deadline - Thursday!

If you are planning to participate in a study abroad program, UMBC's application deadline for Summer 2022, Fall 2022, and academic year 2022-23 programs is Thursday, March 10! If you have not yet completed the steps indicated in this myUMBC post from the Education Abroad office, be sure to do so as soon as possible. 

Programs that start in or after Spring 2023 have a separate deadline - the Education Abroad team can help with any questions or concerns you may have. 

USAJOBS Info Session and Application Tips - Thursday!

If you're considering a job with the federal government after graduation, you'll need to know how to use USAJOBS. From decoding the sometimes technical and confusing language in the job listings, to tailoring your resume and responding to online questionnaires, Thursday's online session will give attendees a good foundation for their future federal job searches. Learn more, and find out how to sign up, at the Career Center's myUMBC page.

Paid On-Campus Internships with Democracy and Civic Life

Thinking about an internship for the next academic year? Consider one of the three paid opportunities available from UMBC's Center for Democracy and Civic Life! The full-academic-year internships require a 15-20 hour/wk commitment, on average. The deadline to apply is April 4, 2022 - for more information, view the Center for Democracy and Civic Life's myUMBC post. 

Advising is Coming

Though it seems like we just started the Spring 2022 semester, advising for Fall 2022 is on the horizon. Stay tuned for more information! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Now: Summer 2022 registration is open! If you're thinking about summer as an opportunity to catch up or get ahead in your studies, you can set up an advising appointment with Dr. Oyen using her Calendly link. 
• Thursday, March 10, 1pm: USAJOBS online info session [see above]
• Thursday, March 10: Study Abroad application deadline [see above]
• March 20-27: Spring break!

[thumbnail image ID: An aerial photograph taken on a misty morning, showing a road snaking along the crest of a series of hills on a tea plantation in Fujian, China. The road is lined with cherry trees, many of which are in brilliant pink bloom. In the distance are additional fog-shrouded mountains.]

We've probably all tried that hot new word-of-the-day game with the colorful squares. There are several variants of the original recipe, but maybe guessing English words is not enough of a challenge? If regular Wordle has lost its sparkle for you, give this Chinese-language variant a try! 

Learn Classical Chinese or Classical Japanese in Venice This Summer!

If you have at least one year of either Chinese or Japanese language experience, and are interested in studying any aspect of pre-modern China or Japan, take a look at this year's Princeton/Ca' Foscari Classical Chinese and Classical Japanese/Kanbun summer school! Taught by faculty from Princeton and Ca' Foscari Universities, the session takes place in July in central Venice. Students will learn the equivalent of one semester of either language. If you're interested, you can pre-apply on their website by the March 31 deadline.  

Asian Studies Faculty Candidates Visits and Presentations

Thank you to those of you who joined us last week for our first candidate presentation! If you were unable to attend, you still have an opportunity to meet our other two finalists. One of these three candidates will be joining Asian Studies in the fall. Be among the first on campus to hear from them as they answer the question, "What is Asia?" 

All student attendees will receive a t-shirt as well as a boxed lunch (sandwich, chips, fruit, cookie, bottled water) to take away. You are welcome to attend one or both of the remaining sessions. Because seating is limited due to Covid-19, be sure to RSVP on myUMBC if you plan to attend: 

• Friday, February 25, 9:45am Candidate Talk
• Monday, February 28, 11am Candidate Talk

Virtual Career and Internship Fair - This Friday!

More than 100 employers will be waiting to meet you at Friday's Virtual Career and Internship Fair - will you be there? Asian Studies students' language skills and research interests make them appealing candidates for employers in a variety of industries, from the government and non-profits to STEM and healthcare. To sign up, be sure to log into UMBCworks and click 'Attend' in the event's page! The fair will be open from 11:30-3:30 on Friday. 

National Bureau of Asian Research - Diversity Fellowship Info Session This Thursday

The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) is hosting an online information session at 3pm on Thursday, February 24, for students interested in applying to their summer Diversity Fellowship. The paid Fellowship begins remotely/virtually in May, and from June to August takes place at NBR's offices in Washington, DC. Students with freshman, sophomore, or junior standing who are interested in international affairs and foreign policy can learn more about the fellowship on NBR's website. The application deadline for the fellowship is March 27.

To RSVP for the online information session, please email Jerome Siangco [jsiangco@nbr.org]. If you are interested but not able to attend, Mr. Siangco is also happy to set up an appointment for an individual Q&A session. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Thursday, Feb 24, 3pm: NBR Fellowship Virtual Q&A (see above)
• Friday, Feb 25, 9:45am: Second Faculty Candidate Talk (see above)
• Friday, Feb 25, 11:30am: Virtual Career & Internship Fair (see above)
• Monday, Feb 28, 11am: Third Faculty Candidate Talk (see above)
• March 7: Internship/Independent Study Add-for-Credit Deadline

We hope your classes and semester are off to a great start! Snow is not uncommon here in Maryland in February, but this time last year, the residents of Sapa, Vietnam, enjoyed a rare heavy snowfall just before Tết. If you are hoping for more snow this winter on campus, you can enjoy more photos of this winter wonderland; but if you're ready for spring to arrive, the National Park Service has some good news about Washington, DC's famous springtime pink trees and their slightly earlier late-winter cousins.

Today: Last Day to Apply for Spring 2022 Graduation!

Seniors: are you planning to graduate this semester? Don't forget to apply for graduation! Today is the deadline to submit your application - see the Registrar's website for detailed instructions and additional information.

Asian Studies Faculty Candidate Presentations: "What is Asia?" 

All presentations will take place in Fine Arts 558. Students who attend one or more of these presentations will receive an Asian Studies 10th Anniversary shirt, and a boxed meal (to take away) - one shirt per student, one meal per session. Seating is limited due to Covid-19 policies: please click any of the three dates listed above to RSVP on myUMBC.

For two months of the year, visitors to Harbin in northeast China can brave the -40 degree temperatures to see the Harbin Snow and Ice Festival's sculptures illuminated in spectacular colors at night. Stay cozy and enjoy the sights of the 2019 festival from home with this Smithsonian Magazine article. A little closer to home, (seb) will be hosting iceless ice skating and snow tubing on the Library Plaza on campus this Friday.

Lunar New Year Celebration Continues

We're very excited by the response to our Lunar New Year celebration and our new Asian Studies shirts. If you haven't stopped by our office (Fine Arts 548) yet for New Year treats and a shirt, the event continues today and tomorrow. Although the food giveaway will end tomorrow, Asian Studies students are welcome to pick up a shirt any time this semester.

Spring 2022 Graduation Application Deadline: February 15

If you are planning to graduate this May, be sure to submit your graduation application before next week's deadline! The Registrar's website has everything you need to know. 

URCAD 2022 Applications Are Now Open

UMBC is a campus that recognizes its students' research at all levels; URCAD is the annual celebration of undergraduate research and creative achievements. If you've completed a big research or creative project this year, URCAD is a fantastic opportunity to share your expertise and accomplishments with the campus community and the public. The deadline to apply is February 18. Learn more at URCAD's website. Dr. Oyen is a great resource if you have questions about how to apply. 

Virtual Internship and Career Fair - February 25

The Career Center's popular Internship and Career Fair event will take place virtually later this month. More than 85 employers have already signed up, and they're all eager to meet UMBC students and recent graduates. For more information, and how to sign up to attend, visit the Career Center's website. 

Covid-19 Booster and Flu Shot Clinics - Feb 17 and March 3

If you're able, and haven't yet had a chance to get your seasonal flu vaccine or a Covid-19 booster, Retriever Integrated Health is hosting additional clinics on campus on February 17 (next Thursday) and on March 3 (also a Thursday). You can make an appointment on their website.

Roses are Pink, Chip's Tongue is too; for Valentine's Day, She Wants to See You!

Swing by the RAC on Valentine's Day (Monday next week, Feb 14) to hang out with Officer Chip! She and her entourage will have prize giveaways for all her Valentines, too. Check myUMBC for more information. 

Virtual Involvement Fest - This Week! 

Celebrate Lunar New Year with Us!

There is a lot to celebrate in Asian Studies this spring! Stop by this week or next to pick up a Cup Noodles, an orange, and a fortune cookie, so we can celebrate the new year in a Covid-policy-compliant way. 

We are also celebrating our 10th anniversary at UMBC this year! Asian Studies students are also welcome to pick up an Asian Studies t-shirt when they pick up their Lunar New Year lunch items. 

Check out the myUMBC event page for more information about when and where these giveaways are happening! 

Summer Fellowship with the National Bureau of Asian Research

The National Bureau of Asian Research (NBR) seeks applicants for their four-month Undergraduate Diversity Fellowships. The NBR Undergraduate Diversity Fellowship aims to extend educational, professional, and mentorship opportunities to Black and brown students who are interested in pursuing a career in the field of international affairs or Asia policy. 

Fellows will receive mentorship and professional experience as they work full-time on-site at NBR's offices in Washington, DC, throughout the summer. For detailed information about the fellowship, visit NBR's website.

The deadline to submit your application is March 27, 2022, at 11:59pm EST. 

KAA-Pony Chung Foundation Korea-America Essay Prize Competition - Top Prize $10,000!

Have you written a great essay about Korea-U.S. diplomacy, security, or economic policy? The KAA-Pony Chung Foundation wants you to submit it to their competition. Three winners will receive cash prizes ($10,000, $5,000, $1,000). Any undergraduate student with Korean or American citizenship is eligible to apply. 

The deadline to submit your essay and the other application materials is March 30, 2022, and prize announcements will be made in mid-April. Detailed submission and eligibility information is available on the Korean-American Association's website. 

[thumbnail image description: a photograph of a small red tiger figurine on a flat, weathered wooden surface. The tiger is depicted in a seated posture, with its tail curled around its feet. It has a gold nose. Behind the figurine, a blooming plum tree branch has been laid across the surface as well.]