Spotlight All /cas/ en Asia-Related Courses offered in Spring 2027 /cas/2026/10/13/asia-related-courses-offered-spring-2027 <span>Asia-Related Courses offered in Spring 2027</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-10-13T14:22:35-06:00" title="Tuesday, October 13, 2026 - 14:22">Tue, 10/13/2026 - 14:22</time> </span> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><h4>ASIA 2000&nbsp;Gateway to Modern Asia</h4><div>T/Th 11:00am-12:15pm<br>Lauren Collins (<a href="mailto:collinlk@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">collinlk@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>Introduces main themes, intellectual approaches used in Asian Studies through a transdisciplinary perspective that focuses on interactions and links between geographic regions and national boundaries. Presents Asia as a concept, a powerful imaginary geography, and historically dynamic construct that has shaped / been shaped by global patterns of economic development, nation building, war and diplomacy, colonialism and aspirations for better lives.</div><hr><h4>ASIA 4100&nbsp;China's Space Dream</h4><div>T/Th 2:00-3:15<br>&nbsp;Lauren Collins (<a href="mailto:collinlk@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">collinlk@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>This class will explore the history of China's interest in and development of space technology from the Mao era through today. China became the third country ever to launch a human into space in 2003 and has been expanding its space program ever since.</div><hr><h4>ASIA 4650&nbsp;Art and Science of Meditation</h4><div>T/Th 2-3:15<br>Dan Hirshberg (<a href="mailto:Dan.Hirshberg@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Dan.Hirshberg@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>Broadly interdisciplinary and skill-based, this course offers an in-depth theoretical, practical, and experiential exploration of meditation informed by scientific studies. Students read traditional contemplative masterworks in translation, survey current neuroscientific and psychological research on meditation, and employ critical subjectivity in the application of evidence-based contemplative techniques. That is, students train in secularized meditation that is proven to develop three specific skillsets: relaxation and stress reduction; attentional focus and distraction reduction; and compassion and emotional resilience.</div><hr><h4>MAYMESTER CLASS:&nbsp;ASIA 4660&nbsp;Global Seminar: Zen and the Art of Meditation</h4><div>Maymester<br>Dan Hirshberg (<a href="mailto:Dan.Hirshberg@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Dan.Hirshberg@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>Focuses on the contemplative arts of Zen Buddhism, which not only exemplify awakening but, in their execution, may also serve as paths to its attainment. These include garden design, bonsai tree cultivation, sumi-ink painting and calligraphy, and the tea ceremony, among others. Students train in evidence-based contemplative techniques over 3 weeks in Japan.</div><hr><h4><span>CHIN 1020 Beginning Chinese 2</span></h4><h4><span>CHIN 2120 Intermediate Chinese 2</span></h4><h4><span>CHIN 3120 Advanced Chinese 2</span></h4><p>meeting pattern varies by section</p><hr><h4>CHIN 3361&nbsp;Women and the Supernatural in Chinese Literature</h4><div>T/TH 11am-12:15pm<br>Antje Richter (<a href="mailto:richtea@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">richtea@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>From ancient ghost stories to modern tales of transformation, this course delves into the rich and complex relationship be-tween women and the supernatural as they are represented in Chinese literature and culture. We examine how gender, power, and the unknown intertwine in classical and vernacular fiction, religious texts, and poetry¡ªtracing evolving depictions of a wide range of female protagonists, from ghost lovers, animal spirits, celestial wives, filial daughters, a mother in hell, fox fairies, superwomen, and cross-dressers.</div><hr><h4>GEOG 3822&nbsp;Geography of China</h4><div><span>T/Th 5:00 - 6:15</span><br>Tim Oakes (<a href="mailto:oakes@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">oakes@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>An introduction to China¡¯s diverse human and environmental geographies, with a focus on China's cultural diversity, the spatial dimensions of China's economic development, the ecological costs of China's rapid rise to prosperity, and the role of state policies in both producing and mitigating those costs.</div><hr><h4>JPNS 4120&nbsp;Advanced Readings in Modern Japanese 2</h4><div>MWF 1:25-2:15pm<br>Yukiko Asano (<a href="mailto:yuas2215@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">yuas2215@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>Continuation of JPNS 4110.</div><hr><table><tbody><tr><td><h4>KREN 1020&nbsp;Beginning Korean 2</h4><div>M-Th 10:10¨C11:00 a.m.<br>Yoonyung Huh (<a href="mailto:yoonyung.huh@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">yoonyung.huh@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>KREN 1020 is designed to develop your basic communication skills in various everyday topics through an integrated practice of listening, speaking, reading, writing, and presentation. Additionally, you will engage in free unlimited 1:1 conversation practice online (AnytimeKorean.com) with native Korean speakers as your language partners to enhance your pronunciation and conversation skills through real-time interaction.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><h4>KREN 2120&nbsp;Intermediate Korean 2</h4><div>M-TH 10:10¨C11:00 a.m.<br>Yoonyung Huh (<a href="mailto:yoonyung.huh@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">yoonyung.huh@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>This course emphasizes the development of four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in various socio-cultural contexts. Additionally, you will engage in free unlimited 1:1 conversation practice online (AnytimeKorean.com) with native Korean speakers as your language partners to enhance your pronunciation and conversation skills through real-time interaction.</div></td></tr></tbody></table><table><tbody><tr><td><h4>KREN 3120&nbsp;Advanced Korean 2</h4><div>M-TH 11:15 am¨C12:05 pm<br>Sangbok Kim (<a href="mailto:Sangbok.Kim@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Sangbok.Kim@colorado.edu</a>)&nbsp;<br><br>This course focuses on mastering formal writing, presentations, speaking/discussions, and exploring socio-cultural topics through the textbook.<br>&nbsp;</div></td></tr></tbody></table><h4>RLST 2810&nbsp;Islamic Spain: Land of Three Religions</h4><div>T/Th 9:30-10:45am<br>Brian Catlos (<a href="mailto:Brian.Catlos@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Brian.Catlos@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>For almost a thousand years Muslim Spain ¨C al-Andalus ¨C was the home to communities of Christians, Muslims and Jews, who laid the foundations for the European Renaissance and Scientific revolution and of modern Jewish culture. Using his Kingdoms of Faith: A New History of Islamic Spain and contemporary sources, Prof. Brian A. Catlos will take you through a cinematic history of poetry, art, political intrigue and war, illuminating a cosmopolitan society and a gripping history that carries important lessons for the world of today.</div><hr><h4>RLST 3200&nbsp;Yoga, Castes and Magic: Hindu Society and Spirituality</h4><div>T/Th 2pm-3:15pm&nbsp;<br>Loriliai Biernacki (<a href="mailto:Loriliai.Biernacki@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Loriliai.Biernacki@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>This course addresses the practices of yoga in the context of spirituality and power in Hinduism in India from ancient times through the modern period. This course will also probe the ideas and practices contributing to yoga and its seeming magical powers, particularly as they reference practices for strengthening the mind and body through different forms of yoga.</div><hr><h4>RLST 3550&nbsp;Tibetan Buddhism</h4><div>T/Th 11am-12:15pm&nbsp;<br>Dan Hirshberg (<a href="mailto:Dan.Hirshberg@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Dan.Hirshberg@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>Explores Tibetan Buddhist theories and practices of dying and death to survey its diverse contemplative techniques, philosophical principles, and ultimate objective of total liberation from suffering, especially within the so-called Tibetan Book of the Dead. Includes discussions of serially reincarnated teachers, "sky burial", and signs of liberation at the time of death.</div><hr><h4>RLST 3801&nbsp;Muslims, Christians, Jews &amp; the Mediterranean Origins of the West</h4><div>T /Th 12:30-1:45pm&nbsp;<br>Brian Catlos (<a href="mailto:Brian.Catlos@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Brian.Catlos@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>This course provides a historical foundation for the study of western Modernity, including the Anglo-European and Islamic worlds. It focuses on the Mediterranean region in the long Middle Ages (650-1650), emphasizing the role of Christian, Muslim and Jewish peoples and cultures, in Europe, Africa and West Asia in both conflict and collaboration. The approach is interdisciplinary incorporating social, economic, cultural, literary and art history, combining lectures with discussions based around readings of contemporary documents and the analysis of contemporary artifacts.</div><hr><h4>RLST 4200&nbsp;Yoga and Goddesses</h4><div>Tuesday or Thursday 3:30pm -6pm (2 sections)<br>Loriliai Biernacki (<a href="mailto:Loriliai.Biernacki@colorado.edu" rel="nofollow">Loriliai.Biernacki@colorado.edu</a>)<br><br>This course addresses the roles that goddesses play in the practice of yoga.</div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:22:35 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8060 at /cas Dr. Lauren Collins has been named Editor of Education ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Asia (EAA) /cas/2026/09/29/dr-lauren-collins-has-been-named-editor-education-about-asia-eaa <span>Dr. Lauren Collins has been named Editor of Education ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Asia (EAA)</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-29T08:14:07-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 29, 2026 - 08:14">Tue, 09/29/2026 - 08:14</time> </span> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div><div>Our very own Dr. Lauren Collins has been named Editor of Education ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Asia (EAA), effective October 1, 2026!&nbsp;</div><div>&nbsp;</div></div><div><div>Dr. Collins is an Asian Studies scholar and assistant teaching professor at <a href="https://www.instagram.com/_u/cuboulder?fbclid=IwZXh0bgNhZW0CMTAAcGRvZgFicmlkETExYUhvN0VLNlFTTVpaN1dTc3J0YwZhcHBfaWQQMjIyMDM5MTc4ODIwMDg5MgABHoFhGuJbt2oZbeGZAanMifFrK4pnlZhcuE4oCHUjrMZANuKUpRb6Hirjm07O_aem_J7jOwj6SKa0xUbpkY1DPeA" rel="nofollow"><span>ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ</span></a>, where she oversees the curriculum for the Asian Studies undergraduate program. Her work focuses on how societies remember and interpret the past, with particular interests in East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Americas. She mentors students as they develop research projects on the cultures, histories, and politics of Asia and is passionate about bringing Asia into the classroom, having served as consultant and seminar leader for the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia since 2019.</div><div>&nbsp;</div></div><div><div>With extensive experience in journal editing, study-abroad instruction, and project management, Dr. Collins brings a broad perspective and diverse set of skills to the position of EAA Editor. She has previously authored two articles for EAA: ¡°Independent Cinema as a Lens on a Changing Cambodia: Using Films of Anti-Archive in the Classroom,¡± and ¡°Teaching Taiwan: An Experiential Learning Essay.¡±</div><div>&nbsp;</div></div><div><div>We¡¯re so proud of this well-deserved appointment¡ªcongratulations, Lauren!</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div><a href="https://www.asianstudies.org/lauren-collins-appointed-editor-of-education-about-asia/" rel="nofollow">Full article in AAS</a></div><div>&nbsp;</div></div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 29 Sep 2026 14:14:07 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8056 at /cas 13th Issue of Colorado Journal of Asian Studies /cas/2026/09/22/13th-issue-colorado-journal-asian-studies <span>13th Issue of Colorado Journal of Asian Studies</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-22T11:58:53-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 22, 2026 - 11:58">Tue, 09/22/2026 - 11:58</time> </span> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div>We are please to announce the publication of the thirteenth edition of the <em>Colorado Journal of Asian Studies</em>: <a id="OWA049afb3e-7128-6f1d-cef2-06070222a007" href="https://journals.colorado.edu/index.php/coasianstudies/issue/view/329" rel="nofollow">Vol. 13 No. 1 (2026): Colorado Journal of Asian Studies 2026 | Colorado Journal of Asian Studies</a></div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>This edition brings together four academic essays and a photo essay that demonstrate the breadth of undergraduate scholarship in Asian Studies. Spanning conservation, Japanese history, Asian American identity, and visual culture, the contributions in this volume approach Asia from distinctly different perspectives and disciplines. Together, however, they share a common interest in the ways that people, places, histories, and identities are represented and connected.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Read together, these works demonstrate one of the strengths of Asian Studies and the ability to bring seemingly different questions into conversation. A photograph can become a way of interrogating history. Conservation can reveal relationships between human communities and the natural world. A war can reshape national identity and international relations. And the experience of growing up between cultures can raise larger questions about belonging and how identities are constructed.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>The <em>Colorado Journal of Asian Studies</em> provides a space for students to pursue these questions and to share their work beyond the classroom. We are proud to feature scholarship that is not only diverse in subject matter, but also in its methods, perspectives, and forms of expression. Each contribution reflects the intellectual curiosity of its author and the value of giving undergraduate scholars an opportunity to develop and publish their own work.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>We are grateful to the students who contributed their work to this edition, as well as to the faculty, mentors, editors, and supporters who helped bring these pieces to publication. We hope this volume encourages readers to look at Asia, and its connections to Colorado and the wider world, with new questions and perspectives.</div><div>&nbsp;</div><div>Thank you for reading the thirteenth edition of the <em>Colorado Journal of Asian Studies</em>.</div><p><br>&nbsp;</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 22 Sep 2026 17:58:53 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8050 at /cas Malala at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ: Teachers and students share their takeaways. /cas/2026/09/15/malala-cu-boulder-teachers-and-students-share-their-takeaways <span>Malala at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ: Teachers and students share their takeaways.</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-15T07:57:40-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - 07:57">Tue, 09/15/2026 - 07:57</time> </span> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em><span>The Center for Asian Studies co-sponsored Malala Yousafzai¡¯s visit to ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ for the Conference on World Affairs in April. We selected two teachers who participated in CAS¡¯s South, Southeast, and West Asia (SSEWA) Outreach Program¡¯s professional development workshop on Afghanistan, along with an Asian Studies student, to attend Malala¡¯s talk live at Macky Auditorium.</span></em></p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2026-09/Malala%20%28from%20CU%20socials%29.jpg?itok=sXh2AlNK" width="1500" height="1164" alt="Malala speaks at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ"> </div> <hr><p><em><span>Here are reflections from a teacher and a CU student.</span></em></p><h5>Thornton High School</h5><p><span>I wanted to send my profound thanks to the Center for Asian Studies for the opportunity to hear Malala Yousafzai speak. The entire evening was very motivational, and it was a gift for myself and my students when I returned to work the next day. I was also pleasantly surprised by the wonderful seating reserved for us. I felt very valued and appreciated, and I want to thank you for that.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Sitting so close to the stage on the right side of the auditorium, I could see the small residual scars from the attack Malala survived as a young person. But it became very clear early on and throughout the evening that she had done the work to heal and is now living and thriving in the next chapter of her life. I believe many of us expected to see someone still actively fighting that fight, but her personal strength belied the power of her resilience. It reminded me of the profound, scarring traumas my students have faced, and the faces, voices, growth, learning, and smiles we see from them every day.</span></p><p><span>It was powerful to hear Malala talk about her strong desire to make friends. As teachers, we are often so focused on the ever-important mountain of skills newcomers must acquire that we don¡¯t always create enough opportunities for moments of friendship. My school is focused on academic discourse, of course, but even when given opportunities to connect, our students often retreat into what they describe as the safety of solitude.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>I think Malala beautifully illustrated our shared need for connection. I know she said she struggled with grades in the pursuit of social connections, but it made me wonder: Would she have healed? Would she be the vibrant, strong woman changing the world today had she not prioritized those relationships? She is such a remarkable person that when she almost dismissively listed the obstacles that face our newcomers to language and culture, it reminded me to consider all the layers of extra work we ask our students to do in each moment.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>I could go on for pages, but I simply want to thank the Center for Asian Studies. Your generosity in giving me the unique opportunity to hear Malala share her story and her work to make the world a better place has enriched my life and informed my teaching. I hope the impact of this experience will continue the ripples of change and betterment.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Shannon Meyer</span><br><span>ELD Teacher</span><br><span>Thornton High School</span></p><hr><h5>ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Undergraduate</h5><p><span>Malala Yousafzai¡¯s keynote talk really resonated with me, particularly when she talked about her work with the Afghan women¡¯s soccer team in exile. We see a lot of media attention on men¡¯s soccer, especially with the Iran situation at the recent FIFA World Cup held in North America, but Afghan and Middle Eastern women¡¯s teams rarely get the same visibility.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Malala¡¯s advocacy for Afghan girl athletes to have a place on the world stage while their own Taliban government pretends they don¡¯t exist is such a powerful message. It¡¯s the kind of story that deserves a much wider audience.</span></p><p><span>I¡¯m very glad Malala is continuing this work and using her platform to shed light on a fight that doesn¡¯t get enough attention. Hearing her speak live made it clear her fight for girls¡¯ education, women¡¯s sports, and human rights is an ongoing work to this day.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Emmett Haruch</span><br><span>Undergraduate student pursuing a BA in Cinema Studies, with a minor in Asian Studies</span><br><span>ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ</span></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:57:40 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8048 at /cas Malala at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ: Teachers and students share their takeaways. /cas/2026/09/15/malala-cu-boulder-teachers-and-students-share-their-takeaways-0 <span>Malala at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ: Teachers and students share their takeaways.</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-15T07:45:00-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 15, 2026 - 07:45">Tue, 09/15/2026 - 07:45</time> </span> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em><span>The Center for Asian Studies co-sponsored Malala Yousafzai¡¯s visit to ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ for the Conference on World Affairs in April. Teachers who participated in CAS¡¯s South, Southeast, and West Asia (SSEWA) Outreach Program¡¯s professional development workshop on Afghanistan were invited to bring their students to an exclusive livestream event at the Limelight Hotel in Boulder.</span></em></p><p><em><span>Today, we¡¯re featuring reflections from two Boulder high school teachers who attended with their students.</span></em></p><hr><h5>Fairview High School</h5><p><span lang="EN">On Thursday, April 16, roughly 30 Fairview High School students and staff had the great fortune to attend an overflow event at the Limelight Hotel in Boulder to hear Malala Yousafzai¡¯s Conference on World Affairs¡¯ closing talk.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span lang="EN">It was incredible. The youngest person ever to win the Nobel Peace Prize, Malala talked about advocating for girls¡¯ education, building schools around the world, and standing up for what you believe in, all in a clear, relatable, and inspiring way.&nbsp; She also shared her love of weightlifting, wearing jeans, and her experience balancing an active social life with the academic demands of studying at Oxford University.</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Many Fairview students in attendance said that seeing Malala ¡°live¡± was a dream come true. They described Malala as their personal hero and the reason they are activists.&nbsp; Ninth-grader Cressa Stricklan said, ¡°Her message has inspired me to take more action on issues that I see.¡±&nbsp; Senior Elleanna Voran reflected that ¡°it was really poignant when [Malala] said it¡¯s not about a leader but about the cause that the leader¡¯s bringing people together for.¡±&nbsp; Elleanna also appreciated Malala¡¯s reminder that solving problems takes hard work and persistence, and you must ¡°keep working and keep trying.¡±&nbsp;</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Ninth grader Aspen Corff, who grew up in Australia, recalled that Malala features prominently in the Australian primary school curriculum.&nbsp;Aspen appreciated that the lessons Malala learned about balancing social and academic life in college also apply to high schoolers.&nbsp; ¡°You can feel very isolated in trying to evoke change,¡± Aspen noted, ¡°but we need to push forward and express our ideas in a louder and bolder way.¡±&nbsp;</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Meanwhile, junior Domenica Plaza Homiston said that she genuinely teared up listening to Malala speak. ¡°Hearing someone like Malala describe the same identity crisis I experienced was incredibly refreshing. I am Chilean-American, and I am so proud of my Latino heritage, yet I have felt so out of place recently.&nbsp; Hearing a similar experience from Malala's life at Oxford felt so beautiful, and to be able to relate to someone so central to advocacy at that level.&nbsp; I left feeling with no doubts about who I am, because there is no ¡®should be.¡¯¡±&nbsp;</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Everyone in our group received a free copy of Malala¡¯s new book,</span><em><span lang="EN"> Finding My Way.&nbsp;</span></em><span lang="EN">It felt as if she were personally thinking about us watching from the overflow event.&nbsp; The evening was just so fantastic and inspiring, and we were all quite moved!</span></p><p><span lang="EN">Vanessa Carroll</span><br><span lang="EN">Grad+ Site Lead, Graduation Specialist, and Gifted and Talented Advisor</span><br><span lang="EN">Fairview High School</span></p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2026-09/Fairview%20HS%20%40%20Malala.jpeg?itok=otX_ggmi" width="1500" height="1125" alt="Fairview HS"> </div> <hr><h5>Boulder High School</h5><p><span>We want to thank the Center for Asian Studies for inviting our group from Boulder High School to the livestream of Malala¡¯s keynote. Fifteen students came and were really inspired by Malala¡¯s words!</span></p><p><span>We liked the back-and-forth interview style versus having Malala speak for an hour straight. It kept us engaged and made Malala seem more like a real person instead of a talking head. We loved how down-to-earth and open Malala was, with no pretensions. In fact, we liked how she addressed how hard it is to be ¡°normal¡± when you have celebrity status. We especially loved her message of how simple youth activism may seem, but how complicated it can get.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Malala¡¯s story about wearing jeans also served as an important reminder that we, as teachers, should not engage in stereotypes even from famous spokespeople from a region and religion.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>It was a great evening to get to know this more personal side of Malala, a young woman who, despite being a Nobel Peace Prize winner, has faced many of the same challenges of growing up as anyone else.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Here is a photo of my students showing off their copies of Malala¡¯s memoir. They were so excited to get a free book!</span></p><p><span>Roberta Spray</span></p><p><span>Teacher of Social Studies</span><br><span>Model UN Advisor</span><br><span>Boulder High School</span></p> <div class="imageMediaStyle large_image_style"> <img loading="lazy" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/large_image_style/public/2026-09/Boulder%20High%20School%20%40%20Malala.jpeg?itok=ZuNmprzE" width="1500" height="1125" alt="Boulder HS"> </div> <hr><h5>&nbsp;</h5></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 15 Sep 2026 13:45:00 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8047 at /cas Global Seminar - Social Change in Contemporary China /cas/2026/09/14/global-seminar-social-change-contemporary-china <span>Global Seminar - Social Change in Contemporary China</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-14T12:58:38-06:00" title="Monday, September 14, 2026 - 12:58">Mon, 09/14/2026 - 12:58</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-09/Rinaldo%20Asia%204400%20Summer%202026%20Group%20Photo.jpeg?h=d67e29a9&amp;itok=2wobfqcR" width="1200" height="800" alt="Social Change in Contemporary China group photo"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 2"> <div class="ucb-article-row-subrow row"> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-left col-lg"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2026-09/Rinaldo%20Asia%204400%20Summer%202026%20Group%20Photo.jpeg?itok=z-3Ukfx1" alt="Social Change in Contemporary China group photo" loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-text col-lg d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><span>In May and June, Rachel Rinaldo, CAS faculty director and associate professor of sociology, brought 12 students on a Tang-funded global seminar with the theme of ¡°Social Change in Contemporary China.¡± Students spent time in Beijing, Xi¡¯an, and traveled throughout Yunnan province. The course themes included changes in marriage and family, Chinese religious traditions, ethnic diversity, infrastructure and economic development, and tourism. As part of this global seminar, students also had the opportunity to visit many fascinating historic, cultural, and natural sites. Highlights included the Great Wall of China, the Terra Cotta Warriors, and Tiger Leaping Gorge.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Thanks to an endowed gift to CAS, each summer the Tang Fund provides generous scholarships for faculty-led global seminars to China. In summer 2027, Teaching Professor Anja Lange will lead the global seminar ¡°Self Awareness and Images of the Other,¡± in Xi¡¯an. For more information, see:&nbsp;</span><a href="/abroad/tang-scholarship" rel="nofollow"><span>/abroad/tang-scholarship</span></a><span>.&nbsp;</span></p><p><a href="/cas/students-social-change-china-global-seminar-share-their-experiences" data-entity-type="node" data-entity-uuid="4419457f-7917-411b-b3d2-74977abba3c4" data-entity-substitution="canonical" rel="nofollow" title="Students in the Social Change in China Global Seminar Share their Experiences"><span><strong>Students in the Social Change in China Global Seminar Share their Experiences</strong></span></a></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:58:38 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8045 at /cas Global Seminar - The Art and Science of Zen /cas/2026/09/14/global-seminar-art-and-science-zen <span>Global Seminar - The Art and Science of Zen</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-14T12:53:28-06:00" title="Monday, September 14, 2026 - 12:53">Mon, 09/14/2026 - 12:53</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-09/Hirshberg%20Japan%20global%20seminar.png?h=150348ff&amp;itok=dK-KE5nA" width="1200" height="800" alt="Japan Global Seminar"> </div> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 2"> <div class="ucb-article-row-subrow row"> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-left col-lg"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2026-09/Hirshberg%20Japan%20global%20seminar.png?itok=r8etZyk0" alt="Japan Global Seminar" loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-text col-lg d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><span>This summer,&nbsp;Dan Hirshberg,&nbsp;Khyentse Foundation Associate Teaching&nbsp;Professor of Contemplative Studies in the Center for Asian Studies,&nbsp;</span>led a CU Global Seminar in Japan on ¡°The Art and Science of Zen.¡± &nbsp;Students studied the history, arts, aesthetics and contemplative traditions of Japanese Zen Buddhism, explored Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, practiced meditation in the mountain hermitages of Koyasan, and deeply engaged numerous Zen gardens with contemplative exercises designed to highlight and enhance specific designs, styles and features.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 14 Sep 2026 18:53:28 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8044 at /cas How warming might have caused Nepal's deadly floods /cas/2026/09/08/how-warming-might-have-caused-nepals-deadly-floods <span>How warming might have caused Nepal's deadly floods</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-09-08T10:09:11-06:00" title="Tuesday, September 8, 2026 - 10:09">Tue, 09/08/2026 - 10:09</time> </span> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <span>Yvaine Ye</span> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>Original article found in A&amp;S Magazine.</em></p><p>One week after catastrophic floods swept through towns along the Nepal-China border, <a href="https://abcnews.com/International/death-toll-tops-1000-after-nepal-flooding-search/story?id=136108774" rel="nofollow">more than 1,000 people are dead and 4,500 remain missing</a>.</p><p>Satellite and drone images suggest that softening permafrost, or perennially frozen rock, ice and soil, on Langtang Lirung peak likely caused a massive bedrock failure and glacier collapse. An estimated 50 million metric tons of ice, rock and water¡ªroughly 13 billion gallons, or about three times the capacity of Boulder Reservoir¡ªfell 6,500 feet into the valley below, unleashing a slurry of mud and water that inundated bridges, hydropower facilities and villages along the way. According to the United States Geological Survey, the force of the initial debris flow hitting the ground was equivalent to a <a href="https://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eventpage/us7000tbwb/executive" rel="nofollow">magnitude 5.2 earthquake</a>.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p><p>¡°This is by far the most horrific flood I have ever seen,¡± said <a href="/instaar/alton-c-byers" rel="nofollow">Alton Byers</a>, a faculty research scientist and an associate of the Institute of Arctic and Alpine Research (INSTAAR) at ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ. For the past 50 years, Byers has been studying changes in glaciers around the world, including the Himalayas, and the hazards associated with those shifts. He has lived in rural regions of Nepal for a total of eight years in addition to dozens of shorter visits since the 1970s, trekking in the mountains to study glacial lakes and help local people become more prepared for mountain hazards.</p><p>¡°The size of this slide totally dwarfed anything I¡¯ve seen before. Mountains have clearly become more dangerous places to live, work and play in as Earth becomes warmer.¡±</p><p>As rescue teams continue searching for those still missing, ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ Today spoke with Byers about what may have triggered the disaster, how climate change is reshaping glaciers and mountain hazards around the world, and whether similar events could occur in the United States.</p><p><a href="/today/2026/09/03/how-warming-might-have-caused-nepals-deadly-floods?cm_ven=ExactTarget&amp;cm_cat=26.0903+FSG+CUBT&amp;cm_pla=VPL+25429+for+List+142&amp;cm_ite=https%3a%2f%2fwww.colorado.edu%2ftoday%2f2026%2f09%2f03%2fhow-warming-might-have-caused-nepals-deadly-floods&amp;cm_lm=rachel.rinaldo@colorado.edu&amp;cm_ainfo=&amp;%25%25__AdditionalEmailAttribute1%25%25&amp;%25%25__AdditionalEmailAttribute2%25%25&amp;%25%25__AdditionalEmailAttribute3%25%25&amp;%25%25__AdditionalEmailAttribute4%25%25&amp;%25%25__AdditionalEmailAttribute5%25%25" rel="nofollow">Read full article here.</a></p><hr><p>Donate to Nepali Relief here:</p><p><span>The best way to donate is through the Nepal government's official disaster relief fund. &nbsp;</span><a href="https://nam10.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fmoha.gov.np%2Fen%2Fpost%2Fha-ra-tha-ka-apa-l-11&amp;data=05%7C02%7Cliza.williams%40Colorado.EDU%7C45298c803bd841cbbdd408df09f7d7fe%7C3ded8b1b070d462982e4c0b019f46057%7C1%7C0%7C639240632277050669%7CUnknown%7CTWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ%3D%3D%7C0%7C%7C%7C&amp;sdata=7vaiMr5qfbzzNstD67ZPUkWfl8bSK2X5doUusvAlAyo%3D&amp;reserved=0" rel="nofollow">https://moha.gov.np/en/post/ha-ra-tha-ka-apa-l-11</a><span>.&nbsp;</span></p><p><span>Additional local relief opportunities:</span></p><p><a href="https://www.gofundme.com/f/Sherpa-Mountain-Adventures-HDF-Flood-Relief?attribution_id=sl%3A5fd41edf-ae76-4e8b-9e90-e269519f1540&amp;lang=en_US&amp;ts=1787940850&amp;utm_campaign=fp_sharesheet&amp;utm_content=amp30-treatment-7&amp;utm_medium=customer&amp;utm_source=copy_link&amp;cp_src=d" rel="nofollow"><span>Go fund me</span></a></p><p><a href="https://coloradonepalalliance.org/" rel="nofollow">Colorado Nepal Alliance</a></p></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Tue, 08 Sep 2026 16:09:11 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8042 at /cas Tang Global Seminar - Organizational Behavior and Business in China /cas/2026/08/24/tang-global-seminar-organizational-behavior-and-business-china <span>Tang Global Seminar - Organizational Behavior and Business in China</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-08-24T14:23:12-06:00" title="Monday, August 24, 2026 - 14:23">Mon, 08/24/2026 - 14:23</time> </span> <div> <div class="imageMediaStyle focal_image_wide"> <img loading="lazy" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/focal_image_wide/public/2026-08/Chengdu.JPG?h=f6149bb9&amp;itok=g1YtPwhY" width="1200" height="800" alt="Tang jennings2"> </div> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Chengdu</p> </span> </div> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default 1"> <div class="ucb-article-text d-flex align-items-center" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><p><em>This summer, Leeds School of Business Teaching Professor Tracy Jennings led a group of 12 ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ undergraduate students in a Tang-funded global seminar on Organizational Behavior and Business in China. We'll be showcasing two blog&nbsp;posts&nbsp;from students to share their experiences.&nbsp;</em></p><p>From Holt Bouma :</p><p>Both Chinese and Americans have very distorted views of each other¡¯s culture and society. Before arriving in China, while I was telling my friends and family about my upcoming trip, I received numerous warnings and concerns. While I personally wasn¡¯t worried, many people had the perception of China being a dangerous dictatorship that would surveil and arrest me for anything that I did. Now that it has been a little over a week, I have noticed similar misperceptions from Chinese people (thanks to my Chinese!). The recent and most prominent example happened while I was getting a street massage. During my massage, somebody walking by asked if they could take my picture, to which I agreed. Afterward, they¡¯re friends began telling her how foreigners don¡¯t like getting their picture taken. I told her that we don¡¯t care, but they were adamant that it was true and the masseuse agreed. Another example was when we visited the international school, where the students I spoke with were surprised to learn that American college students consist of mostly a higher social class. The students surprised to learn this, after they had been told that America was a ¡°<span lang="ZH-CN">Óлú»áµÄ¹ú¼Ò</span>¡± (a country with opportunity). A fallacy I realized that I possessed was my personal belief that Chinese people weren¡¯t very social. Though their work life certainly prohibits them, you will very often see a group of friends sitting around chatting on the street. When we were in Beijing, it was shocking to see so many people playing Chinese hacky sack by the drum and bell towers. Furthermore, when we would eat dinner at less-busy restaurants, the workers would usually go back to conversing together after serving us. Now, I realize that it was short-sighted to view <em>any</em> culture as particularly reserved, being social is just a human trait. These misunderstandings between cultures can happen between any two countries, but I believe that The Great Firewall helps perpetrate a lack of cultural knowledge. Even though I¡¯ve traveled to other Asian countries, China has still been the first time I have felt the most culture shock (in a good way).</p><p>From Luis Carale:</p><p>Chinese companies stress the importance of interpersonal relationships, and this emphasis is reflected in a company¡¯s values as well as their management style. On our visit to E-Plus 3D, we learned a lot about the company¡¯s products and operations, but I found their perceived importance of interpersonal relationships to be the most striking. Throughout the workplace, they had signage displaying the company¡¯s mission and values. A quick Google translation revealed to me that they are customer oriented and strive for win-win results. This makes logical sense to me because customers buying their product is what directly results in sales, so they would want to do their best to make the customer happy. However, the value of interpersonal relationships goes beyond company-client relationships. The manager we spoke to explained that a good manager maintains 4 types of relationships: 1)self to boss, 2)self to colleague, 3)self to employees and 4)self to self. He explained that if a worker is able to keep good relations among the 4, they are more likely to succeed. While these relationships do exist in US companies, I think the Chinese place more importance in them compared to Americans, who have a strong sense of individualism. The core values plastered on the workplace walls and the manager¡¯s philosophy reinforce the importance of interpersonal relationships in Chinese companies. Since this was our first company visit, I am unsure if my observation holds true with other companies. I will be interested in discovering if the values of other Chinese companies place emphasis on interpersonal relationships.&nbsp;</p></div> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content-media ucb-article-content-media-below"> <div> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--media paragraph--view-mode--default ucb-article-media-paragraph"> <figure class="ucb-paragraph-media__image"> <img class="ucb-article-media-img ucb-article-media-img--original" src="/cas/sites/default/files/styles/original_image_size/public/2026-08/Guizhou%20Province.JPG?itok=RUvIS3zw" alt="Tang Jennings" loading="lazy"> <figcaption class="ucb-paragraph-media__caption" style="text-align: left;"> <span class="media-image-caption"> <p>Guizhou Provence</p> </span> </figcaption> </figure> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Mon, 24 Aug 2026 20:23:12 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8036 at /cas Welcome to the 2026-2027 academic year! /cas/2026/08/20/welcome-2026-2027-academic-year <span>Welcome to the 2026-2027 academic year!</span> <span><span>Elizabeth Williams</span></span> <span><time datetime="2026-08-20T11:46:10-06:00" title="Thursday, August 20, 2026 - 11:46">Thu, 08/20/2026 - 11:46</time> </span> <div role="contentinfo" class="container ucb-article-tags" itemprop="keywords"> <span class="visually-hidden">Tags:</span> <div class="ucb-article-tag-icon" aria-hidden="true"> <i class="fa-solid fa-tags"></i> </div> <a href="/cas/taxonomy/term/2" hreflang="en">Spotlight All</a> </div> <div class="ucb-article-content ucb-striped-content"> <div class="container"> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--article-content paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div class="ucb-article-text" itemprop="articleBody"> <div><div>Dear Students, Faculty, and Staff,</div><div>Welcome to the 2026-2027 academic year!</div><div>The Center for Asian Studies is ÂÌñ»»ÆÞ¡¯s interdisciplinary hub for Asia-related teaching and research. We offer the Asian Studies major and minor, scholarships and resources for students, and we sponsor Asia-related events throughout the year. Our theme for the 2026-2027 academic year is Global Asias (<a href="/cas/2026-2027-global-asias" rel="nofollow">/cas/2026-2027-global-asias</a>). Check our website regularly for details of our events and programs!</div></div> </div> </div> </div> </div> <h2> <div class="paragraph paragraph--type--ucb-related-articles-block paragraph--view-mode--default"> <div>Off</div> </div> </h2> <div>Traditional</div> <div>0</div> <div>On</div> <div>White</div> Thu, 20 Aug 2026 17:46:10 +0000 Elizabeth Williams 8034 at /cas