Asian Studies on the Pacific Coast (ASPAC) 2012
Gonzaga University is pleased to announce that it will be hosting the ASPAC (Asian Studies on the Pacific Coast) conference from June 15-17, 2012 in Spokane, WA.
In recognition of the profusion of cultural, political, historical, and environmental heralds of change associated with the year 2012, the theme for the conference will be Asia at the End of History: Beginnings, Ends, and Transformations. Any and all proposals dealing with topics in Asian Studies are welcome for submission, but in keeping with the world-transformational implications of the “2012 moment,” the organizers are looking for papers and panels that deal with Asia’s role in the prospects and possibilities of deep transformation in the historical world.
Conference Theme: Asia at the End of History: Beginnings, Ends, and Transformations
Since the turn of the third western millennium, the world has experienced what appears to be a series of authentically transformational moments. We have witnessed the start of an open-ended global war on terrorism, cascading financial crises, and worldwide political instability expressed in such diverse movements as the “Arab Spring” and the “Tea Party Revolution,” and the "Occupation" of Wall Street. We have endured ecological upheavals in the form of natural and man-made disasters, and have pushed nano-technology to the brink of a certifiably trans-human “singularity.” In the background of this dramatic unfolding of novelty, we see the hazy but sharpening contours of ancient prophecies and archaic revivals that seem to suggest that the world is due for some colossal re-organization. The apocalyptic imaginary, which has been as integral to the historical experience of Asia as it has been to the west, may represent a genuinely postmodern or even post-historical yearning for some kind of authentic reality beyond the increasingly self-discrediting process of modern material history. Indeed, the diverse impulses of Asian and Western millenarianism have in a real way worked to define and redefine each other throughout the twentieth century, leading to a cultural climate in which a vague yet wide-ranging anxiety has left the entire world wondering if future holds a greater degree of promise or peril.
At ASPAC 2012, we want to explore twenty-first-century world transformation from as many perspectives as possible. Aside from the obvious religious, psychological, sociological, literary, cinematic, artistic, mythic, and historical elements of the 2012 phenomenon, we are encouraging the submission of papers dealing with global finance, commerce, economics, and technology as well.
We are expecting this to be an unusually diverse and interesting conference. Please join us in Spokane for a world-transforming event.
Christian Asia
In keeping with Catholic Jesuit tradition in which Gonzaga University was founded, the organizers are also presenting the sub-theme of Christian Asia, which seeks to highlight the transformational role that Christianity has played in Asia throughout history and continues to play in today’s world. In a series of panels, presentations, and workshops, we hope to gain greater insight into what may lie in store for the futures of both Christianity and Asia as the conversation between these diverse transnational civilizations grows deeper and more complex.
Proposals and Papers
Individual paper proposals, panel proposals and roundtable proposals may be submitted using the links on the left hand side of this page. Individual paper proposals will be reviewed and if accepted, will be organized into panels according to general topic.
Multiple-paper proposals should address a single theme, and should include a minimum of three presenters, a chairperson, and a discussant. The chair may serve as the discussant.
A roundtable proposal should consist of 3-6 participants who wish to engage in an informed discussion on a particular theme of wider interest. The organizer should designate a chair or moderator. Written papers are not required for roundtable discussions.
All proposals will be reviewed and responded to within two weeks of submission. Proposals are being accepted now, and will be accepted until May 11, 2012. To submit a proposal, click one of the links on the left hand side of the page, and fill out the form. Please send proposals at your earliest convenience to facilitate the organization of the panels and the conference program.
If your proposal is accepted and you present your paper at the 2012 conference, you may elect to submit the final copy of your presentation to the ASPAC conference archive.
ASPAC Esterline Graduate Paper Award
Submissions for the Esterline Prize must be accompanied by a nomination from a faculty advisor or supervisor and sent electronically to the ASPAC Esterline Prize Committee Chair, Dr. Tsuneo Akaha at tsuneo.akaha@miis.edu. The deadline for submissions is May 31, 2012. The author is required to present his or her paper at the conference. The award will be presented at the ASPAC Conference Banquet.
Click here for Conference Registration Information.
Featured Events and Exhibits
Japanese Prints Display
The Arcade Galley at Gonzaga's Jundt Art Museum will exhibit a display of prints by Japanese artists of the 20th and 21st centuries. The Gonzaga Collection includes works by Umetaro Azechi, Katsunori Hamanishi, Yuichi Hasegawa, Yuji Hiratsuka, Akira Kurosaki, Toru Mabuchi, Haku Maki, Naoko Matsubara, Shiko Munakata, Toko Shinoda, Ryohei Tanaka, and Kouki Tsuritani.
Jundt Museum hours are Monday-Friday from 10:00 am to 4:00 pm, and Saturday, Noon to 4:00 pm
Late Qing Missions Photograph and Document Display
The Rare Books Room in Foley Library will feature an exhibit of photographs and documents from various Chinese Christian missions during the Late Qing (1644-1911) period.
Summer hours are Friday from 8:00 to 5:00 pm and Saturday and Sunday from 1:00 to 5:00 pm
Educational and Cultural Workshops
1) Japanese Cultural Workshop
A two-hour workshop on Japanese Culture for K-6 grade teachers presented by Seiko Katsushima of the Gonzaga University Department of Modern Languages
2) Chinese Cultural Workshop
A two-hour workshop on Chinese Culture for K-6 grade teachers presented by Bin Cheng of the Gonzaga University Department of Modern Languages
3) Korean Odyssey for Middle and High-School Teachers
A two-hour workshop on teaching Korean Culture presented by Mrs. Paula Korus, a recent particpant in a Korean educational trip sponsored by the National Consortium for Teaching About Asia
4) A Vietnamese Day of Recollection
A three-hour workshop of presentations by prominent members of Spokane's dynamic Vietnamese community, moderated by Fr. Joachim Hien of St. Anthony's Parish, Spokane
Welcome to Spokane
Beyond Boundaries
Conference Lodging
Limited on-campus lodging is available and can be reserved at the Registration link above.
A wide variety of off-campus options are also available in close proximity to Gonzaga University. The Red Lion River Inn is adjacent to campus and is offering conference rates of $95.00 for single and double occupancy, and $105.00 for triple and quad accomodations. Reservations can be made by calling 1-800-RED-LION (1-800-733-5466). Please be sure to mention 2012 ASPAC Conference when you call.
