2009 Winter World Cultures Strand

2009 Winter Term

World Cultures Strand

Geography of China: Land, Human, Water

Thursday, Jan. 8, 9:30
Keith Muckleston, OSU Professor Emeritus of Geography, will introduce us to China from several perspectives: 1. Spacial characteristics (size, climates, topography, political borders); 2. Human dimensions (population size, distribution, growth, urbanization, ethnicity); and 3. Water use and development (multipurpose reservoirs, sewage treatment, ancient inter-basin connection between central and southern China, the Li — a "heritage" river).
Host: David Eiseman

Economic Development and Environmental Issues in Rural China

Thursday, Jan. 15, 9:30
Bryan Tilt, OSU Assistant Professor of Anthropology, will explore how China's current path of economic growth is affecting life in rural China. We will examine current trends of economic development and the implications for cultural diversity (including minority groups), agriculture, and environmental sustainability.
Host: Lloyd Swanson

Silk Road Odyssey

Thursday, Jan. 22, 9:30
The presenter, and co-producer, writer and digital cinematographer will be Mary Lee Nolan, OSU Professor Emeritus of Geography, assisted by Sidney D. Nolan, Ph.D. They will trace the ancient Silk Road, a path of treasure-laden camel caravans from one sun-dried outpost to the next, carrying exotic silks westward and bringing back treasures from Imperial Rome. The journey begins in Beijing, then continues to the ancient capital of Xian and on to the Silk Road waypoints of Dunhuang, Turpan, Urumqi, Hotan, and Kashgar. The route then winds through the Central Asian countries. The Silk Road is a corridor of cultural exchange between China and more western lands.
Host: Keith Dunlap

Chinese Music Through the Ages

Thursday, Jan. 29, 9:30
Jay Chen, originally from China, OSU Instructor of Music and principal trumpet of the Portland Opera Orchestra, will provide an historical overview of Chinese music, ranging from ancient to modern. The presentation will provide recorded examples and photos of traditional Chinese instruments.
Host: David Eiseman

Chinese Religions

Thursday, Feb. 5, 9:30
The Rev. Dr. Jon Goman, Chaplain, St. Anselm of Canterbury Episcopal Ministry in Higher Education, Garden Grove, CA and a 24-year visiting instructor at Linn-Benton Community College will explore the folk, Taoist and Confucianist elements in traditional Chinese religion. The focus will be on how these contribute to forming the Chinese cultural frame from which Chinese civilization emerges. Together, he and the class will analyze the religious themes in several Chinese folk tales, so come prepared to participate.
Host: Keith Dunlap

An Inside View of the Beijing Olympics

Thursday, Feb. 12, 9:30
Wei Liu, Ph.D. Candidate in Electrical Engineering at OSU, was one of 100,000 volunteers for the recent Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Wei will give us an insiders view of how the volunteers were trained, how the Games were run, and some observations of the art of fencing, the sport he worked with. Wei also will provide an insight of his home country, China.
Host: Lloyd Swanson

Confucianism, Taoism and the Crisis of the Warring States

Wednesday, Feb. 18, 1:30
Bill Uzgalis, OSU Professor of Philosophy, will explore the rise of Confucian and Taoist philosophies as a response to the breakdown of the Chou empire and the resulting waves of war that beset the once peaceful area. One can find marked similarities in the diagnosis offered by each of these philosophies, though the proposed cure to the ills of society are somewhat different.
Host: Lloyd Swanson

Gala Dinner -- China

Wednesday, February 25, 6:00 p.m.
Adair Clubhouse in Adair Village, catered by Valley Catering
$27, Reservations Required!

First course:
Cantonese style pickled vegies
Many flavor stuffed shitakes: Cantonese and Fukienese
Hot and Sour Soup: pungent peppery Szechwan and Peking peasant soup
Main course:
Lions head meatballs: served in Yangchow and Kiangsu provinces
Peking honey hoisin roast duck
Szechwan crispy fried green beans
Ginger and scallion noodles
Sticky rice
Dessert:
Almond bean curd with lychee mango
Beverages:
Spiced plum wine
Tea and coffee

The Communist Revolution in China and Its Legacy

Friday, Feb. 27, 9:30
Ernst Schwintzer, retired Professor of History, now living in Eugene, will first review how the Communist Revolution in China led to major changes in nearly all aspects of Chinese life ranging from religion to politics and governance, and from the arts to socio-economics. Thereafter he will examine changes in China since the death of Mao Zedong within the context of the positive and negative legacy of the Communist Revolution.
Host: Lloyd Swanson

Changes in China During the Last 20 Years

Thursday, March 5, 9:30
Based on his personal experiences, association with, and frequent trips to China, Jay Chen, OSU Instructor of Music, returns to discuss how China has changed economically and politically over the past two decades.
Host: David Eiseman