The Future of East Asian Studies

Summary

The future of Asian Studies is shifting towards more dynamic and global engagement. Historically, scholars studied East Asia without significant fieldwork, but today’s scholars regularly collaborate on the ground with partners in Asia. The field is diversifying, with increasing bicultural and bilingual scholars, enriching the study of East Asia across disciplines. The growing significance of East Asia in global economics, geopolitics, and culture reflects in the expanding academic interest, from Physics to Education. There's also a need for broader cross-cultural understanding, moving beyond the traditional focus on interactions with white America. East Asian Studies should evolve and expand in response to these changes.

Takeaways

• 😀 The future of Asian Studies is marked by a shift from isolated, independent research to collaborative, on-the-ground research in Asia.
• 😀 Scholars in Asian Studies now frequently travel back and forth between Asia and the U.S., enriching their research with firsthand experience and collaboration.
• 😀 The field of Asian Studies is diversifying across disciplines, including methods and topics of study, fostering a more globalized and transnational collaboration.
• 😀 The increasing number of bicultural and bilingual scholars, particularly those from China, has enriched the field significantly.
• 😀 East Asia’s economic power, large populations, and geopolitical significance make it an increasingly important area of study in the 21st century.
• 😀 The relationship between China and the U.S. is expected to be one of the most important bilateral relationships in the 21st century.
• 😀 A prominent trend in East Asian Studies is the emergence of bicultural or transnational scholars who have a complex sense of identity and cultural literacy.
• 😀 East Asia’s importance is reflected in the growing academic interest across a wide range of university departments, including Physics, Medical School, Law, Education, and Geosciences.
• 😀 There is an ongoing need to expand East Asian scholarship beyond its focus on interactions with white America and explore other overlooked cross-cultural relationships.
• 😀 The study of cultural differences remains crucial for fostering peaceful coexistence, with scholars acting as bridges between cultures through language acquisition and immersive experiences.
• 😀 The speaker advocates for East Asian Studies at Stanford to become much larger and for the university to take a more active role in forging stronger ties with East Asia.

Q & A

How has the approach to studying Asian regions changed over the years?

In the past, scholars of East Asia, especially in the 40s, 50s, and 60s, often studied these regions without physically visiting them, with some traveling only once or twice in their lifetime. Today, there is more direct interaction, as scholars frequently travel to and from Asia, collaborating with local researchers to enhance their studies with on-the-ground insights.

What shift is happening in the field of Asian Studies in terms of research methods?

There has been a shift from isolated, independent research to more collaborative, field-based research. Scholars are now working closely with local collaborators in Asia, which has significantly enriched the quality of research and made it more informed and grounded.

What future trends are expected in Asian Studies?

Asian Studies is expected to diversify further, with a broadening of disciplines, methods, and topics. Additionally, the field will experience more globalization through transnational collaboration, particularly involving scholars from Asia and the United States.

How have the backgrounds of scholars in the field of East Asian Studies evolved?

There is a growing number of scholars who were born and raised in Asia and later came to the U.S. for higher education. These scholars, who are often bilingual and bicultural, represent a new generation with a complex sense of identity that bridges both Asian and American cultures.

Why is the East Asian region so significant in global studies?

East Asia holds immense geopolitical, economic, and demographic significance. With its large populations, robust economies, and growing global influence, particularly in the relationship between China and the U.S., the region is of major importance in contemporary international relations.

How does the demographic shift in scholars impact the field of East Asian Studies?

The increasing presence of bicultural and bilingual scholars, especially those from China, is enriching the field by bringing diverse perspectives and new ways of engaging with East Asia. This demographic shift is reshaping the intellectual orientation and cultural literacy within the discipline.

What role does East Asia play in various university departments today?

East Asia is now a key area of interest across multiple academic disciplines, from Physics and Medical Schools to Law, Education, and Geosciences. This widespread interest reflects both the growing importance of East Asia in global terms and the deepening scholarly focus on the region.

What critique is offered about existing scholarship in East Asian Studies?

Existing scholarship on East Asia is often predominantly focused on its interactions with white America. There is a suggestion that more attention should be paid to other overlooked relationships and cross-cultural encounters, which would provide a broader understanding of the region's dynamics.

Why is it important to study cultural differences in East Asia?

Studying cultural differences is crucial because, as long as cultures remain distinct, understanding the 'other'—those who differ in appearance, language, culture, and political systems—is essential for fostering peace and avoiding conflict. Learning languages, immersing oneself in these cultures, and building bridges between societies are all necessary for mutual understanding.

What is the vision for the future of East Asian Studies at Stanford University?

The vision for East Asian Studies at Stanford is for it to grow significantly in size and impact. The university is encouraged to take a more proactive role in strengthening its ties with East Asia, actively leading efforts to engage with the region in a self-conscious and meaningful way.