Register here.

Yoga, a form of embodied self development with historical roots in the philosophy of southern Asia has become a global phenomenon. As such, the practice of yoga reflects the way in which Asia and Asian Studies in the contemporary moment must be understood in terms of the modernity of globalization. This lecture provides a critical perspective on the twists and turns of tradition that reflects the dislocation of area studies and the value of an inter-disciplinary perspective on cultural history. To register: click here

A weekly conversation table for people interested in German culture and language, all proficiency levels are welcome!

The Irish Club at Pitt meets every two weeks during the semester to share Irish culture and language.

Join the Daehwa Korean Conversation Club, a group for students with common interest in Korean language and culture.

Join the Chinese Language & Culture Club for their biweekly meetings where we will build our Chinese language skills and participate in fun cultural activities!

Join the German Department for Laber Rhabarber, a weekly German conversation hour that is open to all!

How do we propose the most ethical yet legitimate ways for centuries-long traditions, heritages, and artisanship that require a great deal of nonhuman exploitation to continue existing in the future? This presentation tackles the problem of ontological struggles between the human and the nonhuman, the animate and the inanimate, the living and the dead, with a study of the practice, politics, and ethics that surround the making of a traditional Japanese musical instrument called the shamisen. All the materials that make up the shamisen are imported from other countries. The material condition and existential possibility of the shamisen have perpetually been shaped by the workings of global capitalism and biopolitical power across time. Revealing the darker side of the development of Japanese traditional music as part of the global history of extractive capitalism, it calls for a new ethical stance in order to recraft modes of living with both various nonhuman species and traditional cultural artifacts in an age of ecological crisis.

Bio: Keisuke Yamada (Ph.D. University of Pennsylvania, 2020) is a Japan Studies postdoctoral fellow at the Asian Studies Center, University of Pittsburgh. He is the author of Supercell Featuring Hatsune Miku (Bloomsbury Academic, 2017). His other peer-reviewed work has appeared in Asian Music, Ethnomusicology Forum, Japan Forum, Japanese Studies, and The Oxford Handbook of Economic Ethnomusicology. His doctoral dissertation, “Ecologies of Instrumentality: The Politics and Practice of Sustainable Shamisen Making,” won the 2021 Northeastern Association of Graduate Schools Doctoral Dissertation Award. He has been working on a book tentatively entitled The Political Ecology of Sound: Noise, Music, and Silencing in Global Capitalism, which explores in the intersections between global political economy, environmental history, and sound studies.

To register: click here

A weekly conversation table for people interested in German culture and language, all proficiency levels are welcome!

Beginning in the early 1960s, the Soviet Union opened its doors to Third World students to study in its universities. The Soviets even established a special university for foreign exchange students, the People’s Friendship University. Tens of thousands came over the next two decades, an ample portion of which were from Africa. What was the experience of African students, many from newly decolonized states with middle class and elite backgrounds, in the Second World? How did Soviet people regard them? What does their experience say about the Soviet encounter with the Third World during the Cold War and issues of race and racism in a self-declared antiracist society? This live interview with Constantin Katsakioris will delve into these issues are more.

Please register via Zoom: https://pitt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_yP_lIWaOToq6P7WOgIbYWg

Cities are terrains of social and political contestation. It is projected that 70% of the world’s population will live in cities by 2050, and cities are major engines of both economic growth and socio-economic inequality. They are central nodes in networks of translocal and transnational migration, including immigration, gentrification, and trafficking; they are at the forefront of efforts to adapt to anthropogenic climate change and address environmental injustices; they are, increasingly, arenas in which people mobilize to demand human rights to food, water, health, housing, education, and more. In this one-credit pop-up course, students will study cities around the world as sites where contemporary struggles for social justice and human dignity unfold.

Lecture open to all.
Co-Sponsored by the Global Studies Center.

The Graduate School of Public and International Affairs' student cabinet is hosting a meet and greet for GSPIA's new cohort. Undergraduates interested in GSPIA are also invited to attend!

Focusing on post-liberalization Bombay cinema's metamorphosis into "Bollywood" during the nineties and noughties, this presentation will theorize cultural globalization as a process of plastic worldmaking. I will track a series of global gestures, comprising entanglements of material and semiotic transformations, that have forged Bollywood performatively. At stake is an understanding of this formation as a plastic emergence, in the sense that it conjures globalities that are mutable, relational, artificial, and often incompossible.

Bhaskar Sarkar teaches in the Department of Film and Media Studies, UC Santa Barbara, and works in the areas of Indian cinema, post/de-colonial media, the global South, cultures of uncertainty, and piracy. He is the author of Mourning the Nation: Indian Cinema in the Wake of Partition (Duke, 2009), and the co-editor of Documentary Testimonies (Routledge, 2009), Asian Video Cultures (Duke, 2017), and Routledge Companion to Media and Risk (Routledge, 2020). Sarkar is currently completing drafts of two monographs, Cosmoplastics: Bollywood's Global Gesture, and Pirate Humanities. To register: click here

Join Brazil Nuts for their weekly Portuguese conversation hour at all levels!

Join members of the French Club to and have casual conversation in French! All levels welcome.

Join the German Department for Laber Rhabarber, a weekly German conversation hour that is open to all!

A weekly conversation table for people interested in German culture and language, all proficiency levels are welcome!

The Irish Club at Pitt meets every two weeks during the semester to share Irish culture and language.

In a growingly diverse academic and professional settings, inclusive leadership is paramount. This 3-hour virtual leadership dialogue and training aims to equip graduate students with the skills necessary to lead, communicate, and work in diverse settings, such as international development or diplomacy. In this interactive training, students will work in pairs, small groups, and teams to practice empathetic listening, respectful communication, and cultural understanding.

Facilitator: Sakun Gajurel
Sakun is a 2021 University of Pittsburgh UCIS Emerging Global Leader. Born and raised in Nepal, she holds degrees in international development policy from Duke University, and development, innovation, and change from University of Bologna. As a development sector professional, she has worked closely with many communities, and values local knowledge in development efforts. She has work for FAO, WFP, UNICEF, and numerous others.

Register here: https://pitt.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJYtdOmspjovG9FS-OP_aleEq3X4nWuZzQgM

The Limits of Judicialization: From Progress to Backlash in Latin American Politics

Panelists:
Sandra Botero, Universidad de Rosario
Daniel Brinks, The University of Texas at Austin
Ezequiel González-Ocantos, University of Oxford

Moderated by:
Raúl Sánchez-Urribarri, La Trobe University

We will discuss the chapter "Working in new political spaces: the checkered history of Latin American judicialization," from the book The Limits of Judicialization: From Progress to Backlash in Latin American Politics edited by Sandra Botero, Daniel Brinks, and Ezequiel González-Ocantos.

The discussion will be in English.

My presentation will offer a historical perspective on secularism in South Asia through a discussion of a history of religious reform movements from the early twentieth century through the end of colonial India, as a way of historicizing the creation of a constitutional secular state in India in the mid-twentieth century. Though Indian history will comprise the base of the presentation, it will address the issue of religious freedom in contemporary South Asia, drawing on cases from India and Bangladesh primarily. I will mention a few thematic issues that inform the South Asian region as a whole, such as the role of religion in constitutions of South Asian states and the different ways minorities have been legally categorized by the state, as these developments draw on a shared history of colonialism in South Asia.

To register click here

Join Brazil Nuts for their weekly Portuguese conversation hour at all levels!

Join members of the French Club to and have casual conversation in French! All levels welcome.

Join the Asian Studies Center and Global Hub in celebrating Mid-Autumn Festival! Take some refreshments to-go, make a paper lantern, and enter for a chance to win tickets to the Asian Lantern Festival at the Pittsburgh Zoo or some Screenshot:Asia swag.

On the eve of the German Federal Elections, our panel of experts will explore the issues concerning German voters, the legacy of outgoing Chancellor, Angela Merkel, and the potential impacts of this election on transatlantic relations and the European Union. Panelists: Jae-Jae Spoon, University of Pittsburgh; Marcel Lewandowsky, University of Florida; Kai Arzheimer, University of Mainz; and Jana Puglierin, European Council on Foreign Relations. Moderator: Steve Sokol, American Council on Germany.

Audience participation will be encouraged.
Panelists will be joining remotely.

Poet José Olivarez will virtually visit Professor Diana Khoi Nguyen's ENGWRT1210 Poetry Workshop for a reading, Q&A, and writing exercise.

Join the Chinese Language & Culture Club for their biweekly meetings where we will build our Chinese language skills and participate in fun cultural activities!

Join the German Department for Laber Rhabarber, a weekly German conversation hour that is open to all!

Join the Center for African Studies for a meet-and-greet with students, faculty, and staff to kick off an exciting new year! We will enjoy some food while we talk about the Center's plans for the year. We look forward to seeing you!

A weekly conversation table for people interested in German culture and language, all proficiency levels are welcome!

The relationship between the Soviet Union and revolutionary Cuba was a flash point in the Cold War. Soviet aid played a critical role in Cuba—but not without controversy. The Cuban Revolution was born out of a drive to rid itself of imperialist intervention and foreign control. So how did Cuba reconcile the need for Soviet support with efforts to avoid dependency? Soviet-Cuban scientific exchanges were one key area where this tension played out. These not only shuttled Cuban and Soviet experts 9,500 kilometers between Havana and Moscow, it also opened the island’s resources for Soviet pursuit. This live interview with Clare Ibarra will discuss Soviet-Cuban scientific exchanges, and how, despite unity in ideology, both nations were constantly at odds over what “good socialist development” should look like.

Register via Zoom: https://pitt.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_OFCt_tCoQJq-uPh3aQbKvg

Navigating Online Global Efforts During Covid Time
September 23rd, 6pm-7pm, Virtual Format

Jessica Baumgardner-Zuzik
Senior Director -Learning & Evaluation, Alliance for Peacebuilding

Jessica Baumgardner-Zuzik will discuss execution of global efforts in a post-covid workplace and moving to the PA countryside from Washington, DC, while adjusting to online work. Jessica works in the field of peacebuilding in conflict-affected settings, specifically economic development and humanitarian efforts with the World Bank and UN. Some of her research endeavors include economic empowerment, MenEngage, family planning, gender and macroeconomic planning, maternal and infant health, and cross-sector gender involvement in the industry.

Jessica is fluent in French and holds a BA in Peace and Conflict Studies and Foreign Languages from Juniata College and an MA in Economics from the University of San Francisco.

To Register: https://pitt.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJ0qduyvqD4uH9LdtI6bVecYsWVAPdKaIDhL

Sponsored by: Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, and Global Studies Center

It's time to connect! Drop by for snacks and interesting conversation. Meet fellow students from either the global health or global studies certificates. Exchange ideas and learn about opportunities! We'll have students representing several relevant clubs, too!

The Global Studies Center, Center for Global Health and the Center for BioEthics and Health Law will host Pitt’s 2nd annual Global Health Case Competition. Graduate and undergraduate students team up to address a global health scenario and present to a panel of experts. The opening session will include remarks by Maureen Lichtveld, Dean GSPH, William Brustein, Interim Director, Global Studies Center and the case reveal. Location TBA.

Addverse+Poesia is a transnational and multilingual student organization dedicated to celebrating Black/Indigenous and LGBTQIA+ writers, poets, etc. Join us for your weekly meetings on Fridays from 4:30-6PM!

This talk presents the multifaceted story of China’s soft power campaigns in Africa, with a special focus on Ethiopia—one of China’s closest economic and political partners on the continent. Countering the claims of China’s authoritarian export, the analysis of China’s engagement with Ethiopian elites, youth and media audiences, showcases what I describe as a “fragmented spectacle” — a grand, but disjointed display of China’s prowess. In particular, China’s soft power appeal is rooted in generosity of scale or the large-scale access to its initiatives. And yet, when it comes to building relationships, it produces fragmented or contested Sino-African solidarities. I specifically highlight how performative, material and discursive solidarity works and the tensions that override these different Sino-African encounters. This talk, which draws on a larger book project, demonstrates that the idea of a moral competition is largely a product of the US insecurity about losing out to China, in what many US officials see as the last frontier, rather than an accurate depiction of Chinese activities in Africa.

To registerclick here

Join Brazil Nuts for their weekly Portuguese conversation hour at all levels!

Join members of the French Club to and have casual conversation in French! All levels welcome.

In 1982, a Chinese American named Vincent Chin was murdered in Detroit by two white autoworkers at the height of anti-Japanese sentiments arising from massive layoffs in the auto industry. They were given a $3000 fine and 3 years probation for the murder, but no time in prison. Outraged by this injustice, Asian Americans across the nation united to form a pan-Asian identity and civil rights movement. The film Vincent Who? explores this legacy within the larger narrative of Asian American History.

In partnership with the Pittsburgh Chapter of the Organization of Chinese Americans, we will be screening the film followed by a discussion with the producer Curtis Chin. The hybrid event will be held on the Pitt campus on Monday September 27 at 7:00 pm EDT with the option for joining us online as well. To register click here

It's time to connect! Drop by for snacks and interesting conversation. Meet fellow students in either the global health or global studies certificates. Exchange ideas and learn about opportunities! We'll have students representing several relevant clubs, too!

After a year of Zooming and virtual film screenings, we’re excited to see our friends in person once more. Join us under the Schenley Plaza tent for our Welcome Reception on Tuesday, September 28 at 3 p.m.! There will be refreshments, chances to meet and hang out with other students and faculty interested in Asian Studies, and information about upcoming Asian Studies events. Catch a performance from one of our talented student groups and meet our Japan Studies post-doc, who will perform on the shamisen. Also, catch a sneak peek of the upcoming SCREENSHOT: ASIA film festival, with an introduction to the festival along with trailers of the films. We look forward to seeing you in person!

Preparing Competitive Graduate School Applications Panel
28th, 6pm-7pm, Virtual Format

Pitt graduate program experts and current graduate students from the School of Public Health, GSPIA, Economics, History, and Asian Studies share expertise in researching graduate programs and crafting strong applications. Learn tips on writing effective personal statements, securing letter writers, and submitting desired credentials. Ask individual questions at the breakout session.

Dr. Kevin Broom, Director of MHA and MHA/MBA Programs, Vice Chair, Associate Professor, Pitt Public Health
Dr. Daniele Coen-Pirani, Director of Graduate Studies, Professor of Economics
Dr.Michel Gobat , Director of Graduate Studies, Associate Professor of History
Ms. Kelly McDevitt, Admissions and Enrollment, GSPIA
Dr. Emily Rook-Koepsel, Asst. Director for Academic Affairs, UCIS Asian Studies Center
Accompanying Graduate Students

To Register:
https://pitt.zoom.us/meeting/register/tJEuc-qsrj8uG9ZHyZhsVWeV6YftmvOBHyxC

Sponsored by: Asian Studies Center, Center for African Studies, Center for Latin American Studies, Center for Russian, East European, & Eurasian Studies, European Studies Center, and Global Studies Center

Talk with Jussi Hanhimaki to discuss his latest book 'Pax Transatlantica' - https://global.oup.com/academic/product/pax-transatlantica-9780190922160...

#JMintheUS

Come learn about Pitt in London & GBI: London; hosted in one of the most vibrant, exciting, and culturally rich cities in the world. Our programs offer a variety of courses across different disciplines and an optional part-time internship. Advance your intercultural communication skills and develop a deeper understanding of opportunities and challenges.

Register at https://bit.ly/39gFiGo.

Join the German Department for Laber Rhabarber, a weekly German conversation hour that is open to all!

A weekly conversation table for people interested in German culture and language, all proficiency levels are welcome!

Valdis Dombrovskis is the Executive Vice President of the European Commission for An Economy that Works for People and European Commissioner for Trade. On the heels of the EU-US Technology and Trade Council (TTC) meeting in Pittsburgh on September 29th, Executive Vice-President Dombrovskis will sit down with Pitt Associate Professor and Associate Dean of the Graduate School of Public and International Affairs, Erica Owens, for a conversation about the TTC, transatlantic trade, and the future of the EU-US relationship. Students and faculty are encouraged to participate. Audience questions are welcome. Students, please submit questions in advance to Iris Matijevic at irm24@pitt.edu to be sure they are included.

This event is co-sponsored by the network of Jean Monnet-funded Universities in the U.S. #JMintheUS

WATCH TALK HERE: https://audiovisual.ec.europa.eu/en/event/61556

In the summer of 2019, Hong Kong-- former British colony, current special administrative region of the People's Republic of China-- was swept up by a large, sustained protest movement. The spark that lit this "revolution of our time" as protestors have deemed it was an extradition treaty with China, but quickly evolved into a broader movement for a more democratically representative government and autonomy from the People's Republic of China. In a stunning backlash against the movement, the PRC government announced they would unilaterally enact a sweeping national security law, quickly marking much of the previous year's protest movement illegal. In the past year, activists, lawyers, elected officials have been arrested and NGOs and media outlets shuttered at a dizzying pace, fundamentally altering the civic, legal, and cultural landscape of the city. Drawing upon Hong Kong's long history of grassroots activism-- and backlash against it-- from the early twentieth century through the present, this talk will offer a historical view of how protest became a cherished human right and a locus of popular power in Hong Kong, using this history to discuss the implications of the national security law on human rights in the city today.

The Irish Club at Pitt meets every two weeks during the semester to share Irish culture and language.

The University of Pittsburgh and the Horror Studies Working Group invite you to join us for a two day conference exploring ways to connect J-Horror to Asia. This gathering continues the conversations started at SCMS 2021 and Kyoto July 2021 about Global Horror Studies.