University Hosts Series to Celebration of Chinese New Year

University Hosts Series to Celebration of Chinese New Year

     The University of Scranton will launch its new Asian Studies Concentration with a week of events that begin on Feb. 15. Titled “Celebration of Chinese New Year 2010 Series,” the events include lectures, movies and a Chinese New Year Party.

     The new interdisciplinary, 24-credit concentration will provide students with an understanding of the culturally diverse region that includes China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia India, the Philippines and other countries. The program is open to students of all majors and is available beginning this semester. Cross-listed Asian Studies courses may also fulfill major, minor, cognate, and general education requirements. All courses included in Asian Studies can count retroactively.

     According to Ann Pang-White, Ph.D., associate professor of philosophy and director of the Asian Studies Concentration, the “Celebration of Chinese New Year 2010 Series” is not only meant to introduce the new program, but also to raise awareness of Asian cultures, and involve the community.

     “When we designed this series, we wanted it to be both fun and educational,” she said, noting that activities are free and open to the public, although reservations are needed for the Chinese New Year party.

     The weeklong series kicks off Feb. 15 at 6:30 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall as Shuhua Fan, Ph.D., assistant professor of history at The University of Scranton, will present “The Origins and Evolution of the Celebration of Chinese New Year.” Following the lecture, the movie “The Big Shot (Da Wan),” directed by Xiaogang Feng, will be shown. The event will open with a brief welcome from Harold Baillie, Ph.D., provost and vice president for academic affairs.

     On Wednesday, Feb. 17, Sherman Cochran, Ph.D., the Hu Shih Professor of Chinese History at Cornell University, will present “Chinese Business Dynasty: Family Survival Strategies in War and Revolution” in the Collegiate Hall of Redington Hall at 4:30 p.m. He will discuss how one of China’s most economically dominant and politically influential families, the Lius of Shanghai, survived during the Sino-Japanese War and the Communist Revolution. Linda Ledford-Miller, Ph.D., professor and department chair of World Languages and Cultures at The University of Scranton, will give a brief introduction of the speaker.

     On Thursday, Feb. 18, On-Cho Ng, Ph.D., professor of history at Pennsylvania State University, will present “The Confucian Come-back: Tradition, Modernity, and Ideology in Contemporary China,” detailing the revival of Confucianism. Roy Domenico, Ph.D., professor and department chair of history at The University of Scranton, will introduce the speaker at the session that begins at 6:30 p.m. in room 407A of the DeNaples Center.

     On Friday, Feb. 19, Dr. Pang-White will present a brief lecture titled “Confucianism, Modernization, and Family: An Introduction,” which will provide an educational introduction to the movie “Eat, Drink, Man, Woman.” Directed by Ang Lee, the film was nominated for Best Foreign Film. The event starts at 6:30 p.m. in the Pearn Auditorium of Brennan Hall. 

     The series’ Chinese New Year Party is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 20, in the DeNaples Center’s McIlhenny Ballroom at 2 p.m. The party will feature a lion dance, crafts, ribbon dancing, music and snacks. Susan Trussler, Ph.D., associate professor of economics/finance at The University of Scranton, will host the Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Families with Children from China/Asia. Reservations are required to attend the Chinese New Year party. To R.S.V.P., contact Dr. Susan Trussler at Trussler@scranton.edu or 941-5525.

     On Sunday, Feb. 21, Steven Jones, Ph.D., associate provost for civic engagement and academic mission at The University of Scranton, will provide a brief introduction to the series’ final event, a 2 p.m. showing of “Kung Fu Panda” at the Pearn Auditorium in Brennan Hall. Children and parents from the local public libraries are invited to attend the animated movie’s presentation. 

     For more information about the “Celebration of Chinese New Year 2010 Series, contact Dr. Pang-White at pangwhitea2@scranton.edu.