They're calling for snow flurries, or at least "winter precipitation" of some kind, here at the tail end of this week. If you're looking for more winter than a few stray flakes, though, the Shuangfeng Forest Farm in Heilongjiang province, China, may be of interest! Learn more about it in this 2023 Xinhua article. 

Closer to home, there's a lot happening on campus - keep reading for more info! 

International Education Week Events

International Education Week is happening now! If you're interested in study abroad, continuing your studies and research overseas after graduation, or other opportunities outside the United States, there is an event for you! 

Highlights include info sessions about the prestigious U.S. Fulbright Student Program (fully funded long-term opportunities in one of 140 countries around the world, to teach English, conduct research, or earn a graduate degree); the table fair to learn about a variety of programs (and how to fund them), and more! 

Visit the International Education Week website for more information!

Faculty-Led Study Abroad: Japan, June 2025

Are you thinking about Study Abroad, but aren't sure how to juggle a full semester or academic year at a different school amidst your other plans? Consider a Faculty-Led Study Abroad trip! 

Asian Studies affiliate faculty member Dr. Oakes is leading a trip in June 2025 called "Art and Power in Japan." This special opportunity will give you a chance to gain first-hand experience abroad while also earning academic credits towards your studies at UMBC! 

Dr. Oakes is hosting a virtual info session for the program on Friday - see the attached flier for more details, and feel free to send her an email at <juloakes@umbc.edu> with any questions you might have! 

Spring 2025 Advising Still Available

It's not too late to make an advising appointment with Dr. Vaporis or Dr. Kim for Spring 2025 registration. You cannot add classes to your Spring 2025 schedule until you have advising clearance. Email Dr. Vaporis <vaporis@umbc.edu> or Dr. Kim <kimsy@umbc.edu> for an appointment today - don't wait! 

Winter 2025 Registration Available Now

Students need to take an average of 15 credits per semester (30 credits per academic year) to graduate in four years. Winter can be a great opportunity to catch up or get ahead - and you don't need advising clearance to register for a winter class! 

Learn more about the Winter 2025 session, including course offerings, dates and deadlines, and fees, on the Winter Session website.

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Happening Now: International Education Week (see above)
• Thursday, Nov 28: Thanksgiving (UMBC Closed)
  
• Friday, Nov 29: American Indian Heritage Day (UMBC Closed)
• Tuesday, Dec 10: Last Day of Classes; last day for Full Semester Withdrawal
• Dec 11-18: Finals

[thumbnail image description: a view over the snowy streets and rooftops of China's Shuangfeng Forest Farm. Bright red lanterns hang from lampposts along the streets.]

Today is Election Day! If you haven't voted yet, polls are open now until 8pm tonight. Maryland has same-day voter registration, so even if you aren't already registered, you may be able to cast a ballot today! Find your polling place on the state's Voting Location Lookup site here. 

Last Chance for Advising!

Remember that you cannot register for your Spring 2025 classes until you get clearance from your advisor, and you can't get clearance from your advisor until you have an advising appointment with them. 

Have you signed up for an advising appointment with Dr. Vaporis or Dr. Kim? They've emailed an advising sign-up sheet a few times. This week is the last opportunity to meet with them during special extended office hours. If you haven't received the sign-up sheet, or are unsure how to complete it, please contact us as soon as possible. 

Registration for Spring 2025 is happening now, and we anticipate that many classes will fill up quickly. Don't miss your chance to sign up for the courses you need and want - get advised today! 

New Spring 2025 Course Offering: ASIA 330/ART 355 - The Dao of Intermedia

Prof. Chan is offering her popular "Dao of Intermedia" class again this spring. The course, crosslisted as ASIA 330 and ART 355, explores the connection between art and the everyday through lectures, and readings of Asian philosophy. The course consists of discussions about the philosophy and how traditional and contemporary artists/craftspeople have related the philosophy to their work. Students learn traditional arts/crafts such as brush-painting, papermaking, paper/textile decorative arts as well as creating art that is both physical material and performative. Seats are extremely limited - sign up today! 

Winter Session Registration Continues

Are you interested in taking a class during the Winter 2025 session this coming January, but aren't sure which one is the best option? Consider an asynchronous class that will count towards your Asian Studies requirements!  

ASIA 300 - Modern East Asia 
HIST 381 - From Samurai to Salariman: Japanese History Through Film and Literature

Unlike the Spring and Fall semesters, you do not need advising clearance to register for Winter Session classes. For more information about Winter Session, visit their website. 

Don't Forget: Guest Lecture with Dr. Anita Mannur on Monday, Nov 11!

We hope to see many of you in the Library Gallery on Monday afternoon, Nov. 11, for Dr. Mannur's lecture "From Pandan Donuts to Masala Chai Ice Cream." Dr. Mannur will explore the ways that a new generation of chefs is bringing the cuisine of Asia to a global audience - and we'll have refreshments for the lecture attendees, as well! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• Ongoing: Winter 2025 Registration
• Ongoing: Spring 2025 Advising & Registration
• Tomorrow (November 6): Last Day to Withdraw from Individual Courses with a "W" 
• Monday, Nov 11: Guest Lecture, Dr. Anita Mannur (see above)
• Thursday, Nov 28: Thanksgiving (UMBC closed)
  
• Friday, Nov 29: American Indian Heritage Day (UMBC closed)

Halloween is here! Will you be dressing up on Thursday? In Japan, 2024 is the 10th anniversary of "Mundane Halloween," where people dress up not as witches or zombies or ghosts but as everyday people, places, or things you might encounter across Japan. This blog has a rundown of some of the best offerings this year, as well as archived posts of highlights from previous years. Be sure to check it out! 

New Process: Spring 2025 Advising and Registration

Don't miss your chance to register for popular classes! Spring 2025 advising is happening now, and as of this week, we've modified the process! 

You no longer need to make an appointment via Calendly. Dr. Vaporis has distributed a Google Doc with appointment times - virtual and in-person - for students to select. If you did not receive this message yesterday (Monday, Oct 28) afternoon, please let us know as soon as possible (m.power@umbc.edu). 

Don't wait to sign up - registration began yesterday and we expect many classes to fill up quickly. You can't register for classes until you've received your advising clearance. 

Upcoming Events, Dates, and Deadlines

Seasonally chilly weather isn't the only thing happening on campus lately. Keep reading to learn more about upcoming events, deadlines, and other news of interest for Asian Studies students! 

Winter Session 2025 Registration Now Available

Registration for Winter 2025 began on Monday! The session takes place in January 2025. Asian Studies students may be especially interested in the following classes, which count towards your ASIA requirements: 

• ASIA 300: Modern East Asia - Prof. Kim - online/asynchronous
• HIST 381: From Samurai to Salariman: Japanese History Through Film and Literature - Prof. Vaporis - online/asynchronous
• MUSC 230: Musics of the World - Prof. Purdy - hybrid (main campus

Note that HIST 381 counts towards your Culture GEP requirements, and MUSC 230 counts toward both Arts & Humanities and Culture GEP requirements. 

Have You Signed Up for Spring 2025 Advising?

The schedule of classes for Spring 2025 will be available next week (Oct 21), and registration appointments begin as soon as October 29. You can sign up for an advising appointment now! Visit our website for more information! 

Only students with clearance from their advisor - Dr. Vaporis or Dr. Kim, for Asian Studies students - can register for classes. Sign up early! 

Save the Date: Anita Mannur Lecture, Nov 11 1pm

Asian Studies is pleased to welcome Dr. Anita Mannur, Director of American University's Asia, Pacific, and Diaspora Program, to campus for a guest lecture on Monday, November 11 at 1pm! Join us in the Library Gallery for Dr. Mannur's talk, "From Pandan Donuts To Masala Chai Ice Cream: Infusing Asian Tastes Into the Ethno-Culinary Imaginary." We'll have more information about this event here on myUMBC, and on our website, soon - stay tuned! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

As the leaves begin to change here on campus and the weather finally gets a bit cooler, we're highlighting some of the upcoming deadlines, important dates, and other things happening in Asian Studies!

Spring 2025 Advising: Soon!

Spring 2025 advising and registration is coming soon! Dr. Vaporis and Dr. Kim are looking forward to meeting with Asian Studies majors and have set up Calendly schedules for advising appointments later this month. 

The Spring 2025 schedule will be available online on Oct 21 (two weeks from now), and students can register for classes as early as Oct 29. Get ready for your registration window now with three easy steps:

1. Look at your Degree Plan on myUMBC to determine what classes you still need to complete for your degree program. 
2. Do you have an account hold? Holds can be placed for many reasons, and will often prevent you from registering for classes. You can check your student account status on myUMBC; if you do have a hold, contact Student Business Services for assistance with resolving it so that you can register! 
3. Sign up for an advising appointment! Our website has all the details you'll need. 

Winter 2025 Registration Begins Oct 14!

January will be here before you know it. Consider signing up to take a Winter Session course! Many are offered online or in a hybrid format, and this year, three of them are of particular interest for Asian Studies students: 

• ASIA 300: Modern East Asia - Prof. Kim - online/asynchronous
• HIST 381: From Samurai to Salariman: Japanese History Through Film and Literature - Prof. Vaporis - online/asynchronous
• MUSC 230: Musics of the World - Prof. Purdy - hybrid (main campus)

Study Abroad Scholarships Available!

Are you planning to study abroad in Asia in 2025? Asian Studies has a limited number of $1000 scholarships to help offset some of those costs! 

This opportunity is available to Asian Studies majors and minors. 

Apply by Nov 1 for Spring 2025, or February 10 for Summer/Fall 2025. More information, including the application form, is available on our website. 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

Spring has finally sprung on campus - the trees are green, the days are warm(er) and sunny, and the end of the semester is in sight. Before we get to finals and Commencement, though, there's still a lot happening on campus and in Asian Studies. Take a look! 

Fall 2024 Advising Available - Have you signed up?

Classes for Fall 2024 are filling quickly! If you have not already received advising and your registration clearance, don't wait - sign up today! 

Information about advising, including a class list and other registration-related details, is available on our website. 

Guest Lecture - Dr. Gregg Brazinsky, George Washington University

Asian Studies and the History Department are pleased to welcome GWU's Dr. Gregg Brazinsky to campus on May 6. Dr. Brazinsky will give a talk in the Library Gallery titled "Empathy at War: China and North Korea During the Korean War." The talk will be followed by light refreshments and coffee - more information is available on the event page. We hope you'll be able to join us! 

Summer Session Registration Available Now!

Considering a summer class? Summer 2024 registration is ongoing. In order to graduate in four years, you need to complete 30 credits per year. Summer Session is a great opportunity to catch up, or to get ahead. Many classes are offered online and asynchronously, and some can be completed in as few as four weeks! A few courses this summer may be of particular interest for Asian Studies students: 

• ASIA 100: Intro to Asian Studies - Six Weeks, Session I, online and asynchronous
• HIST 103: East Asian Civilization - Four Weeks, Session II, online MWF
• HIST 381: From Samurai to Salariman - Four Weeks, Session I, online and asynchronous
• JPNS 102: Elementary Japanese II - Six Weeks, Session II, online MWF

The Fall 2024 Schedule of Classes is now available online, and advising appointments are now available! We'll update the Asian Studies website with ASIA-specific classes soon - stay tuned for more information. 

Registration begins on April 2 - more information about your assigned registration time can be found on the Registrar's website. 

In the meantime, you can get ready for Fall 2024 in three easy steps: 

1. Look at your Degree Plan in your myUMBC profile to learn what classes or requirements you still need to complete for your degree program.
2. Look at your Student Account in your myUMBC profile – do you have an account hold?
   Holds can be placed for several reasons, but most of them will prevent you from being able to register for classes. Contact Student Business Services for more information about resolving an account hold.
3. Sign up for an advising appointment with your advisor.
   For Asian Studies majors, Dr. Oyen is your advisor.

Completing your advising appointment early increases your opportunity to get into the classes you need. Don't wait - get advised soon!

Please contact our office (410-455-8410) or m.power@umbc.edu if you have any questions about advising appointments or the Fall 2024 schedule. 

Fall foliage is on full display on campus and around town, and the semester continues! Here's the latest from Asian Studies.

Guest Lecture - Dr. Yunwoo Song, "Why Be Moral?" 

Asian Studies is pleased to welcome American University's Dr. Yunwoo Song to the Albin O. Kuhn Library Gallery for a special lecture about Confucian influences and thoughts on morality. 

Please join us on Wednesday at 1pm for this exciting event - refreshments will follow the presentation! For more information, visit the myUMBC events page. 

Spring 2024 Advising and Registration are Here!

The Spring 2024 schedule is available online, and advising is happening now! Undergraduate students can begin registering for classes as early as tomorrow (Tuesday, Oct 31). 

Have you had your advising appointment yet? Check out our Advising Guide for Asian Studies students to make sure you're ready to register as soon as possible - signing up for classes early is the best way to make sure you have a seat in popular offerings, or to get a spot in that one class you might still need before you graduate! 

Winter Session 2024 registration is ongoing, too - visit https://winter.umbc.edu/ for more information! 

Upcoming Dates, Deadlines, and Events

• Spring 2024 Advising and Registration - ongoing; see above
• This week: The Major Event 
• Dr. Yunwoo Song Lecture "Why Be Moral?" - Weds, Nov 1, 1pm
• Deadline to withdraw from individual courses with a "W" - Weds, Nov 8
• Thanksgiving and American Indian Heritage Day - Nov 23 and Nov 24 - campus closed, no classes

It's that time again - Spring 2024 Registration starts next week, Oct 31! Are you ready to sign up for your classes? Here's a checklist of things you can do to prepare! 

Online Schedule Available Now

Students who are logged into their myUMBC accounts can review the entire Spring 2024 schedule online by visiting https://umbc.edu/go/schedule 

Additionally, a list of classes that count towards an Asian Studies major, minor, and certificate is available on our website. 

New Courses - ASIA 333 and ASIA 353

Looking for something different this spring? Check out Dr. Kim's two new course offerings! 

ASIA 333 - International Relations in East Asia - In Person, Thursdays, 4:30-7
The course aims for a comprehensive exploration of pressing issues in Asia, facilitating an understanding of the political, social, and economic dimensions of the region in the contemporary era. It places particular emphasis on regional and international relations. Throughout the course, students will acquire valuable insights into the political structures, ideologies, and movements shaping Asian nations. Additionally, the course will delve into the intricate dynamics of societal transformations, economic realities, and pressing issues, encompassing domestic challenges and regional conflicts, along with an added emphasis on U.S. engagement with Asian nations. 

ASIA 353 - Contemporary Society in Two Koreas - In Person, Tues/Thurs 10-11:15
This course is designed to help students develop a comprehensive background of contemporary history, politics, society, economy and security of two Koreas and their impact on the broader context of Asia. The course explores key historical processes that have shaped the contemporary societies of two Koreas through multidisciplinary lenses. The course will help students understand the origins of, and influences stemming from, the stark political, economic, and social differences between the two Koreas, amidst their underlying core cultural similarities. Themes to be covered in this course include modernization, colonialism, nationalism, authoritarianism, democratization, industrialization, reunification, and gender relations.

Advising Information - Sign Up Early!

You must have registration clearance from their advisor before you can add classes to their schedule. Asian Studies students work with Dr. Oyen for advising. 

To receive registration clearance, complete this Google form for Dr. Oyen to review. If you would like an appointment to go over any questions or concerns about your Spring 2024 schedule or other details about your Asian Studies plans, you can schedule a meeting with Dr. Oyen via her Calendly. 

Account Holds - Check with Student Business Services

Account holds can prevent you from registering or graduating. Holds can be placed for several reasons, from overdue library books to parking fines to everything in between. Check with Student Business Services for help with resolving any account holds early, so that you can register on time! 

Winter Session Registration Ongoing

Thinking about the Winter session to stay busy during January? Consider signing up for one of these Asian Studies classes today - Winter registration is available now through the start of the session! Learn more about Winter 2024 at the session's website

ASIA 300 - Modern East Asia - Prof. Kim - Online, asynchronous
HIST 381 - From Samurai to Salariman - Prof. Vaporis - Online, asynchronous
MUSC 230 - Musics of the World - Prof. Beck - Online, T/W/TH 9-12:10

Advising Questions or Concerns? Let us know! 

Send us an email any time, or stop by Mon-Thurs 8:30-1:30 in person, with any questions you might have about Spring 2024 advising. 

The semester is hurrying along, and October is in full swing this week. So much is happening on campus and elsewhere - here are some highlights. 

Homecoming This Week! 

UMBC celebrates Homecoming 2023 all week this week, from Oct 8-14. You can find a listing of all the exciting events taking place as part of the festivities - from this weekend's Carnival to a Lego competition - on the Homecoming website. 

Spring 2024 Registration is Coming! 

The Spring 2024 schedule of classes will be available online on October 23, and registration begins on October 31. Visit our website's Advising Info page for more details, and stay tuned for additional information regarding advising appointments and a list of Spring 2024 classes that will count towards your Asian Studies major, minor, or certificate goals. 

Remember that only students who have clearance from their advisor will be able to add classes to their schedule during the registration period. 

Consider the Critical Language Scholarship Program 

Have you been thinking about study abroad for Summer 2024? Consider the Critical Language Scholarship Program! This prestigious program provides students with an opportunity for immersive, intensive language study abroad. Several virtual sessions this month will give students information about the various options the program offers, including an info session for the Chinese language program taking place today at 1pm. 

For more information, including links to the virtual sessions, visit our myUMBC post.

Save the Date - Guest Speaker Event - Dr. Yunwoo Song, Wednesday, Nov 1

Asian Studies is pleased to welcome American University's Dr. Yunwoo Song to campus for a special lecture event. Dr. Song will give a talk titled "Why Be Moral? Confucian Perspectives on the Origin of Morality," which will explore the significance of Confucian discourse on human nature and consider some philosophical problems that arise from these views. 

The talk will take place in the Library Gallery on November 1, at 1pm, and will be followed by a reception with light refreshments. We hope to see you there! 

Upcoming Dates and Deadlines

• All week - Homecoming [see above] 
• Ongoing/various: CLS program info sessions [see above]
• Oct 23 - Spring 2024 Schedule available online
• Oct 31 - Spring 2024 registration appointments begin