Amelia Bitely
arb001@marietta.edu

On Nov. 10, Marietta College will welcome a cultural inundation at its third Undergraduate East Asian Studies Symposium. Papers submitted from as far away as North Carolina, California, and New Zealand will be read alongside Marietta College student presentations on subjects as diverse as “Dating Processes in Singapore,” “Conflicted Responses: American Aid to China During World War II,” and “The Alienated Hero of Neon Genesis Evangelion.”

Dr. Luding Tong, professor of Chinese and director of East Asian Studies at Marietta College, organized the symposium this year with Dr. Matt Young.

“We have better papers and more students this year” than in the past two symposiums, conducted in 2001 and 2002, she explained, adding that there has been a more widespread response that ever before from undergraduates. “Each year, we’ve had an improvement.”

The symposium offers a rare opportunity for undergraduates to present and publish serious academic work, especially in the field of East Asian Studies. The 2001 symposium was the first Asian Studies symposium geared solely at undergraduates in the nation, and the 2002 symposium was the first to publish the proceedings.

“There are many opportunities for graduate students to present their scholarship, but very few occasions for undergraduates,” said Tong. Graduate schools and employers view a publication and presentation history favorably.

In addition to these benefits, the symposium also offers a competition for the best paper submitted; 14 participants have entered.

The winner will receive a check and a plaque. Marietta students are pleased to participate in this symposium; 22 Marietta College students submitted proposals to present. Said Kristen Bird, a senior political science major, “My topic is a history of Naropa University and the popularization of Buddhism in American culture … I wanted to participate in the symposium because my topic was something that I am really interested in. I am not a Buddhist, but I do practice yoga and have practiced some meditation. I thought the symposium would provide an excellent opportunity to share my topic and what I learned from my research.”

Senior Lauren Thompson agreed with her, stating that she was looking forward to her own presentation on Japanese kamikaze fighters during World War II “not only as practice for my capstone presentation next month … the exposure will also help me for graduate school, where I am planning to attend next year to pursue furthering my study of history.”

Tong also hopes that the interest generated by this symposium will help to develop the wider interest in international relations and especially East Asian Studies.

“This symposium is part of overall efforts of the college to promote internationalization on campus and in undergraduate students’ research,” said Tong.

“The symposium encourages growth in Asian studies across the country.” The symposium will run for two days, from Nov. 10-11. For more information, visit the Asian Studies website at http://www.marietta.edu/~asia/symposium3.html.”

Mailing address: Marietta College Box A-20, Marietta, Ohio 45750-4000
Physical address: McKinney Media Center, 508 Putnam St, Marietta, Ohio
Phone: (740) 376-4555
E-mail: marc@marietta.edu