Global Literary Encounters book discussions are pre-lecture discussions that align with the Pittsburgh Arts & Lecture's Ten Evenings series. Global Literary Encounters put prominent world authors and their work in a global perspective in order to provide additional insight on writers and engaging issues.

These pre-lecture discussions, hosted by the Global Studies Center at the University of Pittsburgh, will take place via Zoom at 6pm EST. Please note that the "Global Literary Encounters" pre-lecture discussions are held on the Thursday before the Author Lectures, which are held on the following Monday and hosted by Pittsburgh Arts and Lectures.

Join us for a virtual K-12 educator workshop exploring the history of Taiwan under Japanese colonial rule through the baseball film, Kano. The film depicts the true story of the Kagi Agricultural and Forestry School (Kano) baseball team, an underdog, multi-ethnic team of Chinese, Indigenous Taiwanese, and Japanese high school players, who defied the odds to reach the 1931 Japanese High School Baseball Championship. While Korea’s experience as a Japanese colony is often discussed in textbooks, this workshop looks to highlight the unique contours of Taiwan’s colonial experience as well as how it is remembered in the island today. This program will include a discussion of the history of Japanese colonialism in Taiwan and how memories of colonialism shape Taiwanese identity. Speakers will also introduce a lesson plan, a website, and resources for integrating these themes into your classroom.

Educators who register will receive access to the film to watch before the workshop. Also, the first 20 educators who register, attend, and fully participate in the workshop will receive a copy of John Manthorpe's Forbidden Nation: A History of Taiwan book to aid in your teaching and knowledge after the program. Benefits also include a Certificate of Completion and Pennsylvania teachers will also receive Act 48 hours.