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Asian Studies

Exploring Mongolia with an insider’s view, no luggage necessary
Penn Global seminar students hold up cups outside the Winter Palace

Professor Christopher P. Atwood (left), the group’s guide Javzandulam Sodnom (right), and Penn Global seminar students at the ceremonial gate near the entrance to the Bogd Khan’s Winter Palace in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. They are toasting with small cups of “airag,” or fermented mare’s milk, a traditional drink which Penn graduate Yang Yuqing (yellow shirt, center), who is currently studying in Mongolia, brought for the class. (Image: Courtesy of Penn Global)

Exploring Mongolia with an insider’s view, no luggage necessary

Students in Christopher P. Atwood’s Penn Global seminar on Mongolian civilization explored the capital and vast grasslands of Mongolia, meeting welcoming locals along the way.

Kristen de Groot

The legacy of Shinzo Abe
People queue to offer flowers and prayers for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at Zojoji temple prior to his funeral on July 12, 2022, in Tokyo.

People queue to offer flowers and prayers for former Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, at Zojoji temple prior to his funeral on July 12, 2022, in Tokyo. Abe was assassinated on July 8 while campaigning in Nara, western Japan. (Image: AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)

The legacy of Shinzo Abe

Frederick R. Dickinson, ​​professor of Japanese history and director of the Center for East Asian Studies, offers his take on Abe’s impact on Japan, foreign policy, and lessons we can draw from his killing.

Kristen de Groot

Hong Kong handover, 25 years later
Hong Kong and Chinese flags fly in advance of the 25th anniversary of the handover of Hong Kong from Britain

Chinese and Hong Kong flags are hanged to celebrate the upcoming 25th anniversary of Hong Kong handover to China, in Hong Kong, Friday, June 17, 2022. Hong Kong marks the anniversary on July 1, 2022. (Image: AP Photo/Kin Cheung)

Hong Kong handover, 25 years later

Hong Kong marks 25 years under Chinese control on July 1. Jacques deLisle, director of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China, discusses where Hong Kong stands now and what the future might hold.

Kristen de Groot

Can China stop climate change?
Scott Moore sitting on a bench Scott Moore, director of China Programs and Strategic Initiatives, pictured along Locust Walk.

Can China stop climate change?

In a political science course and new book, Director of China Programs and Strategic Initiatives Scott Moore unfurls the layers of China’s approach to sustainability and technology.
Who, What, Why: Tamia Harvey-Martin presents her film debut
Tamia Harvey-Martin smiles in front of the LGBT Center with one hand in her pocket and one hand on a camera hung on a strap around her neck

Tamia Harvey-Martin premieres “A Foolproof Guide to Relationships,” a short film about asexuality, at the LGBT Center on June 28. 

Who, What, Why: Tamia Harvey-Martin presents her film debut

Tamia Harvey-Martin premieres “A Foolproof Guide to Relationships,” a short film about asexuality, at the LGBT Center on June 28. 

Kristina García

Putin, personalism, and the war in Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin is seen at the end of a long table

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the government via teleconference in Moscow, March 10, 2022. (Image: Mikhail Klimentyev, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)

Putin, personalism, and the war in Ukraine

Christopher Carothers of the Center for the Study of Contemporary China discusses how Putin managed to personalize power for himself and what that means for Russia’s neighbors and the world.

Kristen de Groot

May graduate Ethan Kallett named a 2022 Yenching Scholar
Ethan Kallett standing outside on a sidewalk

Ethan Kallett, a May graduate of Penn’s College of Arts and Sciences, has been awarded full funding to pursue an interdisciplinary master’s degree in China studies with a concentration in economics and management at the Yenching Academy of Peking University in Beijing.

May graduate Ethan Kallett named a 2022 Yenching Scholar

Ethan Kallett has been awarded full funding to pursue an interdisciplinary master’s degree in China studies, with a concentration in economics and management, at the Yenching Academy of Peking University in Beijing.
From Buddhist temples to Penn Libraries
Rebecca Mendelson poses outside the library in front of green bushes

Rebecca Mendelson is the new Japanese and Korean Studies Librarian. (Image: Courtesy of Brian Hogan)

From Buddhist temples to Penn Libraries

Rebecca Mendelson is wrapping up her first academic year in person in her new role managing the Libraries’ Japanese and Korean Collections.

Kristen de Groot

Talking about Chinese diasporas
Penn history P.hD. candidate Sarah Yu sits at a table with a blackboard behind her, a laptop on the table showing a video of students

History PhD. Sarah Yu (left) taught a class this spring that looked at Chinese migration while helping students hone public speaking skills.

Talking about Chinese diasporas

History Ph.D. candidate Sarah Yu’s class transformed students into tour guides and podcasters as they honed their public speaking skills while learning about Chinese migration.

Kristen de Groot