PSU enhances Asian Studies offerings by Cynlhia D. SIDwell A scanering of courses in East Asian languages and culture is quickly becoming a specialty within PSU's College of liberal Arts and Sciences as the University responds to the Northwest's growing fascinalion with the Orient. "Here we are, siUing on the West Coast on the edge of the Pacific Rim, with obvious economic lies ... PSU's in a great position to address some specific regional needs, II said linda Walton, part-time coordinator of Asian Studies for (LAS. Walton has taught Chinese and Japanese history during her 3% years at PSU. In 1982, the new Chancellor of higher education William "Bud" Davis publicly called for the establishment of a "Pacific Area Studies Program" at Portland State, a recommendation that was included in OSSHE's strategic plan of 1983. By the fall of 1983, the state legislature had appropriated $230,000 in "seed money" to develop the Institute for International Trade and Commerce at PSU, and the eLAS dean's office had placed Walton in charge of expanding Asian Studies curricula. "In the last year, we've increased our East Asian offerings by 4-500%," said Walton, explaining that this has been accompl ished for the most part through the reallocation of existing resources. One of the first steps was to conduct a national search for full-time tenure-track faculty in the Chinese and Japanese languages. "Here we are, sitting on the West Coast on the edge of the Pacific Rim .. " This search resulted in the hiring last summer of laurence Kominz, who teaches Japanese language and traditional literature, and Wendy larson, who teaches language and modern Chinese literature. Both instructors completed their doctoral work this year - Kominz at Columbia University and larson at U. of California-Berkeley. Kominz, whose dissertation was on Kabuki drama, helped found the Japan-based Noho Theatre Group, which performs dramatic worlG of both the East and West using traditional Japanese mime and dance. Nalive speakers have taught Chinese and Japanese at PSU and through the Division of Continuing Education for a number of years, but Kominz and larson reflect a "new stage" in the development of Asian Studies, said Walton. loining the Geography Department this year was Asian economic development specialist Gil latz, who teaches classes in the Pacific Rim, China and Japan and IS conducting research," Asian agricuhural systems. latz studIed al Tokyo University for 2 four years and is completing his dissertation through the U. of Chicago. The presence on the PSU faculty of Kominz and Latz, both of whom studied in Japan on Japan Foundation fellowships, may have been part of the reason Portland Slate was recently awarded a grant from the Japan Foundation, said Walton. The staff expansion grant, one of five awarded nationally (the U. of Oregon was also a recipient), has made it possible to hire a Japanese linguist, Patricia Wetzel, who will start this fall. In addition, a program development proposal submitted to the Chancellor's office by CLAS is requesting six positions in the social sciences and Chinese language, said assistant dean Frederick Nunn. He expects some action on the proposal before fall. Improvements made in Asian Studies this year have supplemented existing coursework in Chinese and Japanese history (Walton), political science (Gary Scott), international economics (Helen Youngelson), and anthropology (Daniel Scheans). For a number of years there have also been exchange opportunities with Hokkaido University in Portland's sister city Sapporo, Japan, and Waseda University in Tokyo (the latter under the OSSHE overseas program). This summer, Kominz chaperoned a group of PSU students who studied language and culture at Hokkaido while living with Japanese families. Hokkaido students can attend PSU at in-state tuition rates, added Walton. Now, with the establishment of a sister relationship with Zhengzhou University, exchange opportunities exist in China, too (see stories on pp. 8-9). PSU students can also benefit from visiting professors like Kenji Tominomori. a member of the Hokkaido faculty who taught Japanese management in Summer Session this year. The developing Asian Studies curricula are designed to offer a concentration for students seeking an undergraduate degree in international studies, said Walton. A proposal for the international studies degree is in the Chancellor's office awaiting approval, said assistant dean Nunn, and "every sign we've had has been positive." The coursework is almost entirely in place, he said, and students could begin work on the degree this fall. Asian Studies at PSU should be appealing to business majors and members of the business community as well as liberal arts majors, said Walton. "Students who are interested in international business will need a culture and language background," she said. "After three years of Chinese and Japanese, you can't negotiate a business contract," she admitted, "but the language gives you an important e n l r ~ . You can learn a lot about the way people think through their language." To all Ihe people who came 10 my classes from Vanport days to this year, .. My Ihanks For helping me to learn my craft and for the opportunity to help you learn how meaning is made in poems and plays and stories; most of all, for the chance to help you learn how 10 ask questions about the life embodied in fictions, and about our own lives. I cannot imagine a more fu lfilling life work. I hope you will give others the same chance by helping PSU become the university the city needs. Not a factory to train people to work in another factory, but a dynamic urban university: a storehouse of the past and a lighthouse to the future for all people who have questions about the heavens and the earth and all things therein, especially the lives they can live. Again, my thanks. Judah Bierman Professor Emeritus of English and General Studies ~ ~ r s p e c t i v e PSt) ~ i5 ptb/ished q\RIrterly durmg me y e . b y N e w s ~ ~ S e l ' v 1 c e s 1 o r alumni, faculty and staff and friends d Portland S t a t e U " i ~ i r y . EdiitorCyothiaO. StowrII Contribulon Oarence tiel" '6S diff)olmson C*nd.u fditCN' Pat Scoll: d l a n p o f ~ : S e n d b o C h ~ i i n d o i d ~ I O P S U ~ , P . O . 8 o J I 7 5 1 . Portland ~ t e UniYersitv, PoIttimd, Qrewon, 97207 ' _ t l : l f t h i , i s s u e i s ; o d d ~ l o y o u r s o o O f d a u s t l l ~ who no k:Jn8ft m ~ l I 1 t a u ' l S ~ pe!'lNneot addf5 al yout' ~ , please noofy rhto PSU Numnl 0Hlct' (.503·229-49481 d thfo.- ffiilIiIi"8 ...... rsu supports equal eduaolioNl opportunity w l r h o u l ~ r d l O § e I I , f i l ( : t ' , h . ; a n d l C a p , a s e rYlioNl origin. ffiilIntal stalUS, Of r e l i ~ BRITISH AISLES: A THEATRE TOUR OF LONDON Jack Featheringill, professor of theater arts and director of the University'S enormously popular summer stock company at Cannon Beach, takes you on his second tour of london, everyone's favorite theater cily, Odober 18·28. See Starlight Express in london ... The Royal Shakespearean Company production of Loves Labour Lost al Stratford ... a performance at Covent Garden. Go behind·the·scenes allhe SSc. Tour leader Jack Fealheringill is a veteran of almost two decades as actor, dancer, singer, director. His Broadway credits include a role in the original production of Music Man. He ca51 Fiddler on the Roof and How to Succeed in Business Without Trying among many shows. Join Tour Leader Jack Fealheringill for an unforgettable theater lour of London ... with leisure time for sighlseeing, shopping, and more theater performances of your choice, Call PSU Alumni Office, 229·4948, now for a brochure and reservations VIKING TOURS Trd,,{'1 \\llh Portl.md ~ 1 . 1 I ( ' lintH'r"lh P O B O \ ~ j l Portldnd On·gon <J · l n" (')01) Hq 4q48
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