From the Chair (2001)
Dear alumni and friends,
EALC faculty and students have had an extraordinary year in terms of both individual and collective accomplishments. The columns in this newsletter detail the publications, activities, awards, library development, outreach activities, and programmatic grants we've received this past year. Let me highlight a few of these.
First of all, I am delighted to announce that East Asian Languages and Civilizations has received two very generous multi-year grants from the Freeman Foundation to establish a national outreach program, the Program for Teaching East Asia, to encourage and support teaching and learning about Asia in elementary and secondary schools nationwide. Under the direction of Lynn Parisi, Janet Hoaglund, and Karla Loveall, the initiatives target China studies, Japan studies, and the activities of the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia. EALC faculty, graduate students, and undergraduates work closely with TEA as consultants, workshop leaders, research assistants, and interns, and we look forward to strengthening K-12 education about East Asia nationwide through these initiatives, while also expanding the professional development opportunities and service learning activities available to our undergraduate and graduate students.
In addition, EALC and the Center for Asian Studies have received a two-year U.S. Department of Education Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language grant in support of undergraduate Asian studies. This initiative will allow us to hire a fulltime instructor of Korean in the fall of 2001, as well as broaden instruction in Southeast Asian language and area studies across campus.
EALC has undertaken several new curricular initiatives during the past year. Two new B.A. tracks, one in Chinese Language and Civilization and one in Japanese Language and Civilization, have been added to the traditional language and literature options for undergraduate majors. These new tracks encourage students to develop broad interdisciplinary expertise about their country of choice, as well as strong language skills.
Since 1998 EALC has been admitting one or two exceptionally talented undergraduate majors into the new B.A./M.A. tracks in Chinese and Japanese, which allow completion of both degrees in five years. This past year we initiated a new Dual M.A. program which allows graduate students to concurrently complete M.A. degrees in Religious Studies or History in addition to the M.A. in Chinese or Japanese. These degrees are particularly appropriate for students interested in interdisciplinary topics.
EALC was pleased to learn that Norlin Library plans in the near future to move the East Asian Library to a larger space which will accommodate the full collection of Chinese and Japanese materials in addition to offices and a reading room.
We are working with the Library and the CU Foundation on a campaign to raise funds for the new library and for other EALC needs as well. East Asian Library needs include additional technology that will allow expanded access to online materials in Chinese and Japanese languages, collections enhancement, and additional staff. In addition, EALC is seeking funds for graduate fellowships, endowed colloquia or lecture series, study abroad scholarships, and endowed faculty lines. If you would like to contribute, please feel free to call me for further details about our goals. Our thanks to those friends of EALC whose contributions have supported our endeavors thus far!
Finally, I am delighted to announce that The University of Colorado will honor Professor Edward G. Seidensticker—born in Castle Rock, Colorado, B.A. in Political Science from the University of Colorado, and graduate of the Navy Japanese Language School that was located in Boulder during the World War II years—with an honorary degree at the summer 2001 commencement. Professor Seidensticker has also promised his papers to the Norlin Library collections and has sent the first shipment. We hope friends and alumni of EALC will be able to join us in celebration at the August 11 commencements.
Laurel Rasplica Rodd