Minority Programs
Minority Programs
Seminar in Hawai'i and Japan
For
Faculty at Minority Serving Institutions
June 11 - July 8, 2007
Offered by the
Asian Studies Program
School of Hawaiian, Asian and Pacific Studies
University of Hawai'i at Manoa
Purpose
The Asian Studies Program, with the generous support from the Freeman Foundation, has as its goal enhancing the curricula in Asian studies at colleges and universities with significant numbers of minority students and few or no Asian studies courses, and in particular those which are designated as Minority Serving Institutions (MSI) by the U.S. Department of Education.
The program plans to achieve this goal by providing faculty members from these institutions with the opportunity to study in Asia with local specialists and to gain direct exposure to Asian societies and cultures. Through their physical presence in the country, participants will be able to take advantage of multiple modes of learning and develop an intuitive "feel" for Asia that is impossible to attain in one's home country.
Summary
The 2007 summer Seminar is constructed around two inter-related thematic elements. The first is a general introduction to Japanese culture and society, both historical and contemporary. The second is an introduction to multicultural and minority issues in Japanese society, including those associated with the Ainu and Okinawan peoples.
Following a 3-day basic orientation in Honolulu, the "tour" portion of the Seminar convenes in the Ise-Nara area of Japan. The tour will follow a general historical trajectory, although travel logistics prevent an exact chronological sequence. Participants should be aware that this year's project has some physical challenges.
Requirements
Participants must:
- Commit to developing a new course and/or add a significant Asian Component to an existing course based upon their Seminar experience
- Provide a letter from their department chair, dean or chancellor, provost, president or equivalent indicating support for course development.
- Attend a summer workshop where they and participants in previous Asia programs will meet to compare and evaluate their methods for bringing their Asian experiences into course development.
- Have a valid passport.
Who is Eligible?
Faculty members at Minority Serving Institutions who teach courses . in which incorporating an Asia component is feasible. See www.ed.gov/about/offices/list/ocr/edlite-minorityinst.html for a list of institutions.
Preference will be given to faculty applicants who have not participated in previous [MSI or any?] study tours to Asia.
Participant Support
In keeping with the new conditions of the grant, the following will be provided for:
- Roundtrip air fare from the participant's home institution via Honolulu to Japan and return.
- Accommodations and two meals a day.
- In-country travel related to Seminar activities. Museum and event admissions strictly related to Seminar activities.
Tentative Schedule
This is a tentative schedule however, participants must be able to arrive in Honolulu by June 11 and depart Japan on July 8, 2007.
- June 11-13 Honolulu Orientation
- June 14 Travel to Japan
- June15-July 6 Tour Japan
- July 7 Final symposium
- July 8 Depart Japan for Honolulu
To Apply
The simplified application process will include four items:
- 1.a single page on-line form,
- 2.a short curriculum vitae,
- 3.a letter from the applicant stating how s/he intends to apply this seminar experience abroad to the improvement of his/her curriculum and teaching,
- 4.a letter of support from the applicant's chair, dean, chancellor or similar supervisor, stating the importance of the applicant's work to her/his institution.
Download, fill out and return the application (1 page) in MSWord.doc (If you want to save the application to your disk instead of opening it, hold down the SHIFT key when you click.)
Address and Contact
Mail Address:
Asian Studies Program-MSI 2007, UHM
1890 East-West Road, Moore 416
Honolulu, HI 96822
Fax 808-956-2682 with addressee as MSI 2007
Contact person: Pattie Dunn pdunn@hawaii.edu, 808-956-0827