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Asian Studies

Asian American Studies’ 25th anniversary
A man in a blue suit gestures as he teaches a class

In Asian American studies classrooms, “you get students from every single major, you get them from every single field, you get every class background, and you get every political background,” says David Eng. “What’s happened in the field of ethnic studies in general, is that you’ve had to create these horizontal communities among these generations of students.”

Asian American Studies’ 25th anniversary

The Asian American Studies program is celebrating its 25th anniversary with a podcast miniseries, weekly alumni events, and a March 19 conference.

Kristina Linnea García

How a class of ‘brilliant graduates’ shaped modern Chinese architecture
chinese drawing architecture

(Homepage image) A protestant church designed by Tung Chuin in 1928 and awarded the Beaux Arts Institute of Design 1st place medal. This rendering and the works of more than 20 architecture student alumni from China are currently on display as part of the “Building in China” exhibition. (Image: Ming Tong)

How a class of ‘brilliant graduates’ shaped modern Chinese architecture

The ‘Building in China’ exhibition showcases the work of the ‘first generation’ of Penn architecture alumni from China and how striking a balance between modern and traditional continues to shape the country’s expression of its national identity.

Erica K. Brockmeier

Former Indian foreign secretary discusses India, China, and the ‘Asian Century’
Saran shakes hands with diplomat

Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Wu Dawei, left, shakes hands with Indian Foreign Secretary Shyam Saran during their meeting in New Delhi, India, Monday, Jan. 24, 2005. (AP Photo/Ajit Kumar)

Former Indian foreign secretary discusses India, China, and the ‘Asian Century’

In a lecture presented by the Center for the Advanced Study of India, former Foreign Secretary of India Shyam Saran discussed the relationship between India and China, as well as how the Russian invasion of Ukraine may shift geopolitics.
Jolyon Baraka Thomas on curiosity and contentment
A man in a three-piece suit stands in front of a stone building

For religious studies professor Jolyon Thomas, “faith is a black box,” he says. Rather than be a participant in religious faith, Thomas is much more interested in studying its causations, repercussions, and interplay with identity, politics, and education.

Jolyon Baraka Thomas on curiosity and contentment

For Jolyon Baraka Thomas of the School of Arts & Sciences, the route to religious studies was the same one that led him away from faith.

Kristina Linnea García

Penn Lions in the Year of the Tiger
A pair of dancers are framed by two others inside lion costumes

The Penn Lions train for Lunar New Year. This year’s choreography features a tussle between two lions.

Penn Lions in the Year of the Tiger

The Penn Lions spreads good luck and blessings for Lunar New Year, a reminder of rebirth and new beginnings.

Kristina Linnea García

Asian American Pacific Heritage Week: Connecting with culture
A group of students watch student chefs present a meal onstage

Members of Penn Appétit present their culinary creations to Inga Lam. 

Asian American Pacific Heritage Week: Connecting with culture

The 18th annual Asian American Pacific Heritage Week culminated with a student-moderated keynote talk delivered by Inga Lam, a senior video producer at Buzzfeed and YouTube phenomenon.

Kristina Linnea García

Rising tension between China and Taiwan, explained 
a taiwanese flag is in the foreground with skyscrapers and shop signs in Chinese and English in the background

China has been increasing military pressure on Taiwan in recent days, sending nearly 150 warplanes over the island that it views as a breakaway province. 

Rising tension between China and Taiwan, explained 

Jacques deLisle, the director of The Center for the Study of Contemporary China, shares his thoughts China’s increasing military pressure and what’s next 

Kristen de Groot

Mid-autumn moon festival
A full moon with clouds in the sky

The mid-autumn festival often serves as a family reunion, with the moon’s perfect circle symbolizing completion and unity. 

Mid-autumn moon festival

With a moon viewing, cultural information, and food, the LGBT Center, Penn Queer and Asian, and the Penn Taiwanese Society held a celebration of the traditional harvest festival tied to the Chinese lunar calendar.

Kristina Linnea García

Archiving empire with religious studies’ Megan Robb
Three people stand in front of Cohen Hall

Professor Megan Robb (center) worked with a team of students including Michael Goerlitz (left) and Juliana Lu (right) to create a digital archive centered on Elizabeth Sharaf-un-Nisa, an 18th-century Mughal woman who cohabited with a European man working for the East India Company, bearing children, marrying him, and ultimately living out the remainder of her life in England. 

Archiving empire with religious studies’ Megan Robb

A long-unseen archive centered on an 18th-century Mughal woman will soon be publicly accessible, thanks to the work of religious studies professor Megan Robb of the School of Arts & Sciences and a team of Penn students.

Kristina Linnea García

Translating the immigrant experience into intercultural expertise
Smiling woman with folded hands stands near Locust Walk

Kia Lor, a first-generation Hmong American, navigates interculturalism as the new associate director of Greenfield Intercultural Center. 

Translating the immigrant experience into intercultural expertise

Kia Lor of the Greenfield Intercultural Center supports students at Penn while navigating multiple cultures.

Kristina Linnea García