In 2018W, the topic for HIST 105B is Pacific War in History and Film. This course interrogates Japanese Pacific War films to contemplate how Japan’s contemporary history has been shaped by, and shapes, the presentation and memory of World War II in the Pacific. A particular emphasis will be on how the war was presented during wartime and has been remembered on film thereafter.
Are you interested in how history is presented on film? Have you ever wondered whether film reflects or shapes society’s views of historical events, or maybe if it does both? This course examines the interplay between cultural production and conventional memory. In other words, how and why has the popular understanding of historical events changed over time, and how can we trace that shift?
To examine this question, we will focus on one medium (Japanese films) and one historical topic (Japan’s invovlement in the Pacific War, 1937-1945). Our material will be films about the Pacific War made by some of Japan’s most celebrated directors — from classic auteurs Kurosawa, Mizoguchi, Ozu, and Kinoshita in the 1940s-1950s, to lesser-known iconoclasts Suzuki Seijun, Kobayashi Masaki, Masumura Yasuzo, Shinoda Masahiro, and Imamura Shohei in the 1950s-1960s, to household names like Ghibli animators Miyazaki Hayao and Takahata Isao today. Viewing these films, the class will ask how the historical narrative of Japan’s role in the Pacific War was presented during the conflict and how it has changed since then alongside contemporary developments in Japan’s postwar history.
Monday lectures held from 17:00-18:00
Wednesday screenings and film discussions held from 17:00-20:00
Class Announcement: HIST 105B Pacific War in History and Film
$8,000 (USD) Award for a One Term Exchange to University of Washington
The Gary & Conseulo Corbett Canada-U.S. Fellowships Program will award $8,000 (USD) to an Exchange student going to University of Washington for their Winter (January 7-March 15) and Spring quarters (April 1 – June 7).
$8,000 (USD) would comfortably cover all costs associated with a one term exchange located in Seattle. You can experience a semester abroad at a US university with little to no financial impact and become part of an elite group of scholars.
Value: $8,000 (USD); 3 candidates will be selected.
Eligibility:
- You must be an undergraduate student in good standing at UBC whose educational goals would be well served by a year of study at The University of Washington, Seattle.
- You must hold Canadian citizenship or P.R.
- Students from all Faculties and disciplines are welcome to apply
- Priority will be given to students who have attended high school in British Columbia
- This is a cash award of $8,000 (U.S.) to help defray the additional travel costs and living expenses. Under the UW-UBC exchange agreement, UBC students pay regular UBC tuition, plus miscellaneous fees, to study at the University of Washington.
To apply for the award:
- Check the complete eligibility requirements for exchange
- Log on to Gateway
- Click on the “Search Experiences” tab.
- Search “Corbett” in the “Keywords” section. This will bring up the application.
- Select Term 2 as the term you wish to be abroad and complete your application.
Deadline: August 1, 2018
Please contact go.global@ubc.ca if you have any questions.
New partnership with IMVBOX will give students better access to Iranian films
UBC Asian Studies is happy to announce IMVBox.com as an Educational Partner. Through this partnership, students will have access to an impressive online database of post-revolutionary Iranian films with English subtitles. This will be of particular benefit to our Iranian Studies program and to students taking ASIA 394 Post-Revolutionary Iranian Cinema.
IMVBOX is the only legal platform dedicated to streaming Iranian films, is the premier streaming service for Iranian films with English subtitles outside of Iran, and works closely with the Iranian Film Industry to bring you the very best in Iranian Cinema. They currently boast over 1600 feature films, short films, and television programs.
UBC Asian Studies Hiring for Winter Work Learn Positions
Taking courses at UBC looking for a flexible job to fit into your schedule? Search no further! The Asian Studies main office is hiring for a couple of winter Work Learn positions starting September 4th, 2018.
What is Work Learn?
Work Learn is a 10-hour a week position that provides you with an opportunity to work in a professional environment while achieving your own learning goals, building a professional network, and supporting your development of professional skills.
What positions are available?
WL W18 Communications Assistant – Department of Asian Studies
WL W18 Events & Communications Assistant – Department of Asian Studies
WL W18 Rentals Assistant – Asian Studies
WL W18 Office Assistant – Department of Asian Studies
For full details and to apply, go to CareersOnline: https://students.ubc.ca/career
Deadline to apply is August 19th, 2018.
Wakayama Fair Volunteer Opportunities
Looking for experience on practicing language interpretation? The Wakayama Fair is looking for volunteer interpreters!
Duty Description: Japanese-English interpretation (Mandarin and Cantonese is also preferred)
Location: Price Smart Foods supermarket (8200 Ackroyd Rd., Richmond, BC, V6X 1B5)
Date/Time: November 3rd and 4th, shift 1: 10:00 AM- 2:00 PM, shift 2: 2:00 PM- 6:00 PM)
Compensation: 1660 yen/person/shift (approx. $20) for transportation and meal
Number of volunteers needed: 22 people
Note: Having the same volunteer for both days at the same booth is preferred. Application for one-day volunteer is also welcomed if encountered time arrangement difficulties. The descriptions of the products will be provided beforehand.
Please email Shirley Zhang (International Affairs Division of Wakayama City Hall) if interested: kokusai@city.wakayama.lg.jp
Catch the Ninja Star: Ninja Tomonosuke and Kotetsu
Konnichiwa! Greetings from the Japanese Consulate,
Join the annual festivities at Nikkei Matsuri and see the legends and tales of the Japanese ninja come alive when hereditary real-life ninja Tomonosuke introduces the unique and secret world of ninja and their ninjutsu techniques.
The world of ninja, which literally means ‘hiding person’, is one of espionage, infiltrating enemy territory, disrupting them, and sometimes even engaging in assassination. With a unique repertoire of strategies and disguises, using specialized weapons and techniques, ninja were experts at stealth. Originating in Iga City, once an isolated town deep in the mountains, during the feudal era when civil war was prevalent, Ninja are a very real and fascinating part of Japanese history and culture as Tomonosuke will explain.
Event: Lecture and demonstration
Date: Sunday, September 2
Time: 2 – 3 pm
Venue: Nikkei Place, 6688 Southoaks Cres., Burnaby
Notes: This event takes place as part of the annual Nikkei Matsuri Festival
Admission: Festival admission covering all indoor events is $3.00, free for children under 5.
More Information
Hope to see you there!
Japanese Language Program Learning Opportunities
The Japanese Language Program offers 3 activities to gain experience beyond the classroom. All Japanese language students are welcome to join the Language Exchange Table (every Friday 3:30-5pm in ANGU234, 241, 291 ) and Tadoku Reading Club (every Monday 3-5pm in the Asian Library). All JAPN100/160 students are strongly encouraged to sign up for “Senpai Drill”- pronunciation and dialogues practice sessions with Senpai (senior students). Do not miss these learning opportunities!