Thursday, March 29, 2012

2012 Fall Schedule for Asian Studies Courses Now Available!

Students,

2012 Fall Registration is just around the corner! Don't forget to register early on April 10th.

Please check the following website to download the schedule of Asian Studies classes that are being offered!

Monday, March 26, 2012

New Job Opportunity for CECC

CECC Employment Announcement - Professional Staff Members

The Congressional-Executive Commission on China is a bipartisan commission created by Congress in 2000 to monitor and report on human rights and rule of law developments in China. The Commission consists of Senators, Members of the House of Representatives, and senior officials from the Administration. The Commission holds hearings, issues an Annual Report, and maintains a database of political prisoners in China, among other activities. For more information on the Commission, see www.cecc.gov.

The Commission is seeking professional staff members to assist in monitoring and reporting on substantive issues, including worker rights, criminal justice, freedom of residence and movement, access to justice, Xinjiang, ethnic minority rights, freedom of religion, civil society, North Korean Refugees in China, and property in China. The professional staff member will assist in assessing China's compliance or noncompliance with international human rights standards and Chinese domestic law. Successful candidates should have substantive background and/or an interest in one or more of these issue areas. Successful candidates should also possess the necessary Chinese language, English writing, and communication skills to effectively research, analyze, and explain such developments to U.S. policymakers and the broader public.

Main duties: Monitoring and researching Chinese and English language sources (media, government, NGO) for developments relating to their issue area. Identifying and analyzing key developments and reporting their significance orally and in writing, including through drafting sections of the Commission's Annual Reports, short analysis pieces, public statements, and press releases. Researching political prisoner cases and creating and maintaining case records in the CECC Political Prisoner Database. Assisting in organizing CECC public hearings and roundtables. Staff member also may be asked to travel to U.S. cities, China or other foreign locations on official business.

Qualifications: Candidates must be a U.S. citizen. Very strong demonstrated ability to speak, read, write, and perform research in Chinese (Mandarin) is required. The successful candidate will likely have worked or studied in mainland China, Taiwan, or Hong Kong. Candidates will preferably have a law degree or a Ph.D. or M.A. in political science, history, business, economics, or other social sciences. B.A. candidates with very strong credentials will also be considered. Strong oral and written communication skills, and the interpersonal skills and enthusiasm to work under tight deadlines and as part of a team.

Application Procedure: Please submit a brief cover letter, resume, short writing sample (10 pages or less), and the names and contact information for two references to Judy Wright, CECC Director of Administration, via e-mail at judy.wright@mail.house.gov or via FAX at 202-226-3804. PLEASE NO PHONE CALLS. The deadline for applications is Tuesday, April 10, 2012 by 11:59 PM, EST. Applications received after this deadline will not be considered.The Congressional-Executive Commission on China is an equal opportunity employer.

Friday, March 23, 2012

Job Opportunity: Analyst in Asian Affairs at the Congressional Research Service

The Congressional Research Service (CRS) is recruiting for its 2012 Graduate Recruit Program. The program is open to students enrolled in, or graduating with an appropriate advanced degree from, an accredited graduate institution between September 2011 and August 2012. A variety of paid positions is available, including an Analyst in Asian Affairs position that will be responsible for researching and tracking a range of issues related to current political, economic, and regional conditions along with U.S. and international programs in East Asia, with a focus on Japan and the Korean Peninsula, for Members and committees of the U.S. Congress.

The full list of paid positions includes:

-- Analyst in Asian Affairs

-- Analyst in Government Organization and Management

-- Analyst in Public Finance

-- Financial Management Specialist

-- Human Capital Management Specialist

-- Information Research Specialist (Domestic Social Policy)

-- Information Research Specialist (Environmental Policy/Natural Resources)

-- Information Research Specialist (Executive, Judicial, and Legislative Branches)

-- Information Research Specialist (National Defense and Military Affairs)

-- Law Librarian

Initial appointments will be made for a period up to 120 days beginning in the spring/summer of 2012. Some initial appointments may be eligible for subsequent conversion to permanent appointments, contingent upon participants’ performance and completion of all degree requirements, and availability of funding. For more information about the Graduate Recruit Program and how to apply, please go to the CRS Careers website: http://www.loc.gov/crsinfo

.

The Graduate Recruit Program seeks to attract a diverse pool of highly qualified candidates. Women, men, minorities and persons with disabilities are encouraged to apply. I hope you will consider this unique employment opportunity and/or pass along this information to others whom you think are great candidates for this program. A complete applicant package must be received by April 13, 2012.

If you have any questions or would like any additional information about the program, please contact Nancy Warrick at CRSGraduateRecruit@crs.loc.gov or (202) 707-6960.

A GW Student's Perspective: Remembering 3.11 Through the Eyes of Students from Japan

This blog post was written by GW undergraduate student Saori Ishihara, reflecting on the event Remembering 3.11 Through the Eyes of Students from Japan, which was held at the Elliott School on March 9, 2012.

In remembrance of the 9.0 earthquake that hit the Tohoku region of Japan a year ago, the Japanese American Student Union of D.C. hosted an event inviting distinguished speakers and 28 students from Japan. This event was generously co-sponsored by the Sigur Center for Asian Studies. The first part of the event consisted of students from Japan sharing their personal experiences on the catastrophe, as well as giving presentations on their research. After the student presentations, Ms. Emma Chanlett-Avery of Congressional Research Service and Dr. Edward Lincoln and Dr. Mike Mochizuki of GWU, led a panel discussion, focusing on the implications of the disaster on Japan’s diplomatic, domestic, and economic policies. The panelists and the guests were then split into smaller groups to have discussions on topics such as the importance of volunteering.
Reflecting on the event, I gained much more than what I had expected. The presentations by the students from Japan were informative and striking. Though I was aware of the severity from seeing images on the TV and on the internet, it reminded me that the level of devastation was, and still is, astonishing. Although I was not in Japan when the disaster struck the country, as a fellow Japanese citizen, I was reminded that the reconstruction process is still ongoing and is full of hardships. Of all the presentations, the topic of volunteering was the most compelling. As someone who is an active volunteer, it was encouraging to hear that volunteerism in Japan has gained value among the Japanese people after the earthquake.
Furthermore, I was encouraged and motivated to hear from the panelists that the future of Japan is bright. The panel discussion made me think twice about Japan. The following is a brief summary of the panelists' speeches. Dr. Lincoln discussed that the Japanese economy is in a rebuilding process following an unexpected level of shock, though there are some long term issues remaining, such as population dislocation and power supply sources. Dr. Mochizuki discussed fundamental changes in Japanese politics, including the increasing level of centralization, as well as rising importance and more active roles being taken by local governments. He also mentioned that we need a new breed of leaders. In other words, the young ones need to step up. Lastly, Ms. Chanlett-Avery stated that the US's immediate reaction towards Japan in helping the country was assisted by a cordial relationship that had already been established, though the issues regarding US military base in Okinawa still remain.
Discussion group was extremely memorable to me. What exceeded my expectations was the level of engagement and eagerness by both the American and Japanese students. Prior to the event, there were some concerns about how this discussion group portion of the event would follow. Since one of the goals of the students coming from Japan was to exchange cultures through sharing their opinions, my organization wanted to assure that their goal would be achieved. Such concern was alleviated as soon as this part of the event began. It was incredible to see how passionately all of the participants listened and shared their thoughts. This, I thought, was a true cultural exchange; I will never forget this occasion.
It was remarkable to hear from both the American and Japanese students about how much they enjoyed the event and how appreciative they were for providing such an academic and cultural setting. I hope that this event was an unforgettable event to each and everyone. I would like to thank all the guests for participating in this event. Most importantly, I would like to thank the Sigur Center for co-sponsoring this event. Without their support, this event could not have been taken place.

Job Opportunity: Human Rights Researcher in Malaysia

Human Rights Researcher

A human rights organization affiliated with Midwestern State University is seeking the services of a student/faculty member to assist in gathering, analyzing, and arriving at a report on the human rights situation of certain minority groups in Malaysia.

The ideal candidate must:
  • be a US citizen
  • be able to spend approximately three months or more in Malaysia
  • have some experience in the skills mentioned above
  • be hardworking, patient, and able to interview political leaders, administrators, members of the public and oppressed individuals
  • have a feel for human rights and sensitive to the feeling of oppressed people
  • arrive at an analytical, comprehensive report and probably be able to formally publish the work as part of his/her institution's publication.
All research and work-related expenses will paid by the hiring institution. Accommodation will be provided. In addition to this, the candidate will receive a modest allowance as well.

For more information and to apply, please send an e-mail to: sugumaran.narayanan@mwsu.edu.
If the applicant is a student, only MA and PhD students will be considered for the position.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

International Internship Grants

If you will be interning or working abroad this summer, The Graduate Student Career Development Team is pleased to offer a number of competitive international internship grants for up to $2000. The grants are for currently enrolled Elliott School graduate students who are planning to enroll the following semester and are participating in international non-paid or low-pay internships.

The deadline for the International Internship Grant is at 5:00pm on March 30, 2012 for Summer 2012 internships.

For more information, log into ESCC, select the "Resources" Tab, and search under the keywords "International Internship Grant."

If you have any questions, contact Toni Purvis, GSCD Career Coordinator, via email at tpurvis@gwu.edu or via phone at 202-994-1868 .

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

What Does China Want? Discerning the PRC's National Strategy

Published in Asian Security, 8:1, 54-72

By Timothy Heath, GWU MA Student

Abstract

Debates about China's national strategy have surprisingly overlooked an important source: the national strategy as formulated by China's leaders themselves. This article explains how the ruling Communist Party of China formulates its equivalent of a national strategy – defined as the nation's desired end state and guidance on supporting objectives, ways, and means. It explores the current national strategy as published in widely available official documents such as the Communist Party Constitution and Party Congress Work Report, the most recent version of which dates from the 17th Party Congress in 2007. The article considers some implications for observers and policymakers.

Please click here to read full article

Monday, March 19, 2012

Australian National University Seeks Applicants For Annual Conference

Asia Pacific Week is an annual conference held by the Australian National University focusing on trends and developments in the Asia Pacific region. The conference is a joint initiative by students and the ANU College of Asia & the Pacific. Incorporating a number of innovative and trans-disciplinary sessions, ANU Asia Pacific Week 2012 aims to facilitate communication and forge connections between top academics and students.

ANU Asia Pacific Week will bring leading experts on the Asia Pacific region together with 100 delegates from around the world to engage in a series of dynamic discussions and events focused on developments and trends that will shape the ‘Asia Pacific Century’.

APW organizing committee is seeking delegate applications from top honors, masters and doctoral students from around the world.

Applications will close this Friday 23 March at 5pm (Canberra Time).

There is no fee to attend APW2012 and a number of scholarships will be available to both international and Australian delegates.

These include:
  • assistance with travel expenses for international students
  • full scholarships for one student from each IARU partner university
  • ANU Economics Fellowship for domestic economics students
All delegates will be considered for the scholarships they are eligible for.

An information flyer is located on the home page of the ANU website.

For more information, please visit the website http://asiapacificweek.anu.edu.au/ or email asiapacificweek@anu.edu.au

Monday, March 12, 2012

Immediate Opening: Undergraduate Elliott School student for a research assistant position

Professors Robert Shepherd of the Anthropology Department and Larry Yu of the School of Business require a short-term research assistant for a book project that examines the current state of heritage policies in the PRC. This will be published by Springer Press in a heritage management series sponsored by ICOMOS, the International Council on Monuments and Sites. They seek a research assistant who has a strong reading ability in Chinese to do archival research, both on-line and in the DC area, such as the Library of Congress. The RA will search for Chinese language source materials that describe, discuss and/or analyze state policies, regulations, projects and surveys of archeological and cultural heritage sites in the PRC, as well as current cultural resource management, archeological heritage management, and exhibition practices in China and how these intersect with economic development goals.

This position is funded through the end of the spring semester. The research assistant must be an ESIA-declared major, have a strong reading ability in Chinese, and have experience using Chinese language data bases. The research assistant will be recognized and acknowledged in the final manuscript.

Contact rshepher@gwu.edu

Friday, March 9, 2012

TUSA Ambassador Summer Scolarship Program

The TUSA Ambassador Summer Scholarship Program is being offered again this year to U.S. college and university students who are interested in studying the Mandarin Chinese language during the months of July and August. The scholarship covers tuition, dormitory fees, four excursions and incidental insurance. Meals are not included and students must provide their own airfare to and from Taiwan.

This program provides a quality Mandarin Chinese immersion program with emphasis on speaking, but also on listening, reading and writing.

In addition to studying at one of Taiwan's top-ranked universities, students learn about Taiwanese culture and will visit several interesting sites to become more familiar with Taiwan and her people. The program has been created with special focus on students without Chinese/Taiwanese heritage, so prior knowledge or experience with the Mandarin language is not needed. Each U.S. student will work with Taiwanese study partners to assist in the language and cultural study program.

The application period for this class of Ambassadors closes 31 March 2012. All applications will be reviewed and reported on by 10 April 2012. Please apply online at:

www.taiwanusalliance.com
.

Thursday, March 8, 2012

The U.S. Department of State Foreign Policy Classroom

The U.S. Department of State Foreign Policy Classroom

Series Speakers: Josh Goldberg and Seth Patch

Topic: “U.S.-China Relations”

Date: Thursday, March 15, 2012

Arrival Time: Please arrive no later than 10:30 a.m. to pass through security and registration. The program will be from 11:00a.m.-12:00p.m.

Where: U.S Department of State, 2201 C St. NW(Enter through the 23rdstreet entrance, between C and D Streets. Bring photo ID.)



Josh Goldberg – China Desk Officer, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Josh Goldberg is a China Desk Officer, where he currently covers political-military, cross-Strait, and cyber issues for the State Department’s China Desk. He joined the State Department in 2005 and previously served in Shenyang, China; Cairo, Egypt; and the State Department’s Operations Center. Prior to joining the Department, Josh taught English at Beijing Normal University. He also worked for an education foundation in New York, for several political campaigns in across different states, and served in the Pennsylvania state government. He graduated from the College of William and Mary, in Williamsburg, Virginia.


Seth Patch – China Desk Officer, Bureau of East Asian and Pacific Affairs

Seth Patch currently works as a Foreign Affairs Officer in the Office of Chinese and Mongolian Affairs. His work is primarily focused on Hong Kong and Macau, law enforcement, and counter-terrorism. Additionally, Seth spent two years covering the human rights portfolio. Prior to joining the China Desk, Seth served at the Consulate General in Shenyang, China, and at the U.S. Embassy in London. Before coming on board with the State Department as a Foreign Service Officer, he also worked as a management consultant. Seth attended Washington University in St.Louis, where he received both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees.


To register to attend a Foreign Policy Classroom, send an email to ForeignPolicyClassroom@state.gov.

Wednesday, March 7, 2012

Study in Beijing and Earned Credits

Program: The Elliott School Exchange Partner University of Hong Kong invites Elliott School students to participate in its summer course, held at Peking University in Beijing. The course will consist of seminar-type sessions with speakers on China's foreign policy thinking, Sino-U.S relations, China and Asian Pacific security, Sino-Japanese relations, China and North Korean Nuclear Crisis, China and WTO, China’s political system, and its foreign economic relations. The lecture and follow-up discussion will be in English. In the afternoon of the two weeks, Beijing will make arrangement for the group to visit some academic institutions, such as Institute of American Studies under the Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, Tsinghua University, Zhong Guan Cun High-Tech Park, National History Museum, and China Institute of Contemporary International Relations.

No Chinese language skills are required for participation. The entire course is taught in Beijing.

Dates: 14-25 May, 2012 (Mon to Fri) in Beijing

Costs: GW tuition and fees for 3 credits are payable to GW at the regular summer sessions rate. In addition, an estimated RMB 5,200 (rate as of last year; there may be an increase) is payable upon arriving Beijing (for special lectures, busing from/to Airport, sightseeing tour, and transportation for afternoon activities). For accommodations, the costs are an additional RMB 340 per night.

Credits: Elliott School students can earn 3 transfer credits for IAFF 328 Special Topics in Asian Studies: Current Issues in China’s International Relations. Students should consult their program directors to determine how this course fits into Plans of Study.

Application and more information: Application materials are due to Caroline Donovan at cdonovan@gwu.edu by March 19, 2012.

Monday, March 5, 2012

Reminder: Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language tea times at the Sigur Center

Every week the Sigur Center hosts language tea times for students who are interested in practicing their Chinese, Japanese, and Korean language skills.

Chinese tea times are led by Director of the Sigur Center Dr. Edward McCord. Japanese and Korean tea times are led by native speakers who are also GW students. Tea and cookies are provided at each session!


Spring 2012 Tea Time Schedule
4:00-5:00 PM | 1957 E Street, NW | Suite 503

Chinese: Every Wednesday
March 7, 21, 28; April 4, 11, 18, 25; May 2

Korean: Alternating Tuesdays
March 6, 27; April 10, 24

Japanese: Alternating Tuesdays
March 20; April 3, 17; May 1

You can RSVP to a tea time at go.gwu.edu/TeaTimeSpring2012

Chinese Language Study Scholarship

Substantial scholarships are available for this summer’s Intensive Chinese course at Portland State University (Oregon).

Dates: June 25 – August 10, 2012.
Credits: 4 Credits

Program Overview:
This program is designed to train students to speak and listen to Mandarin Chinese, and to introduce students to reading and writing the language. At the end of the course students will be expected to perform in all four skills—speaking, listening, reading and writing—at a basic level of proficiency. Students will not only learn to speak the language; they will also develop an understanding of Chinese interpersonal behavior. The ultimate goal is to teach students not just to speak Chinese, but to function successfully in Chinese culture using Mandarin—to present yourself as an intelligent person in Chinese culture using the Chinese language. Students will learn to speak and perform correctly in a variety of social situations. In each setting students will learn how to perform in the Chinese language in a culturally appropriate way.

Scholarships:
Substantial tuition aid is available through the ALLEX Foundation. Support from ALLEX will bring tuition for out-of-state students to $749, equal to Oregon residents. In addition, with resident and non-residents can expect substantial additional financial support worth several hundred dollars.

Estimated Tuition before Scholarships:
Oregon Residents: $749 (Scholarships available.)
Non-Residents: $2,066 (Scholarships available.)


For more details and to apply, please click here
You may also contact Eriko Akamatsu at allexoffice@allex.org for more information.

Thursday, March 1, 2012

Study in Singapore

Are you interested studying in Singapore?

The Rajaratnam School of International Students at Nanyang Technological University in Singapore might be of interest to you.

The Elliott School is pleased to offer a new exchange program. This new exchange is ideal for students in security studies, Asian studies, and political economy. RSIS and NTU are among the most prestigious academic institutions in Asia. Applications are due March 15, 2012 for the fall semester abroad (Trimester 1 at RSIS, July to October). For information on this exciting new opportunity, please visit this link.