Center for East Asian Studies
Promoting East Asian Studies throughout the Northeast by supporting the teaching of East Asian cultures in K-12 schools and higher education.
Working with educators in elementary, middle, and high schools, and in colleges and universities, the Five College Center for East Asian Studies provides tools supporting the teaching of and learning about East Asian cultures. The Center draws on the resources of the Five College member campuses to conduct seminars, institutes, conferences, and workshops.
Celebrating 25 Years of NCTA
Did you know that the Freeman Foundation has funded NCTA for 25 years? We are grateful to the Foundation for understanding the importance of including East Asia in the curriculum. As a way to celebrate this anniversary and to thank the Foundation, the seven NCTA national coordinating sites, with the University of Pittsburgh taking the lead, produced this 8-minute NCTA 25th Anniversary video.
Upcoming Programs
Webinars
History and Evolution of Korea Wave with Prof. Jamie Moon
March 31, 7-8pm ET
My Mother, the Mermaid Chaser, with author Jamie Jo Huang
April 9, 7-8pm ET
2025 Freeman Book Award Young Adult/HS Winner
San Jose, 2008: Paul yearns to know more about the mother who abandoned his family, but she is the only topic no one discusses. Now’s he’s in Vietnam, feeling displaced and considered an outsider. Plus, a ghost is haunting him even though he doesn’t believe in ghosts. His cousin and the grandmother he’s never met before now keep telling him that he’ll get answers only if he’s willing to open his ears.
Vũng Tâu, 1975: Ngọc Lan is eleven when her family breaks apart: her brother is drafted into the army; her father leaves on the last helicopter to the US. She and her sister are sent from Vietnam on a harrowing journey by boat. Only Ngọc Lan will survive. But what is the American dream when you are haunted by the death of your sister, missing your homeland; seeing ghostly mermaid sightings; lost in an abusive marriage; struggling as a parent?
Told in the alternating perspectives of Paul and Ngọc Lan, My Mother, the Mermaid Chaser is a haunting story about the intergenerational effects of war, estranged family bonds, and how a teenager discovers a new connection to a lost part of himself.
From Joseon to Gen Z: Geographics and Generations of Korean Sound with Dr. Hilary Finchum-Sung
April 28, 7-8pm ET
Summer Programs
Walking the Tōkaidō: A Multi-Disciplinary Experience in History and Culture
Winner of the 2022 Association for Asian Studies Buchanan Prize for curriculum materials.
Walking the Tōkaidō Seminar, Summer 2026 for K-12 in-service educators, specialists and administrators (includes books, access to supplementary materials, completion stipend).
Using the My Virtual Mission platform, participants will walk (both virtually and the distance in reality) from Edo (Tokyo) to Kyoto, stopping at ten required (and seven optional) stations to complete readings, view webinars/videos, and respond to discussion prompts. This seminar is appropriate for those who are new to learning about Japan as well as those who have previous knowledge and experience. There is some freedom to progress at your own pace, but you must complete all ten required units by September 7.
Note: Accommodations can easily be made for those who do not wish to walk. Accepted participants will be provided with details.
In addition to receiving access to the My Virtual Mission route and the seventeen milestone e-mails you will also receive a free set of the required seminar books. You will have access to supplementary materials on the seminar Moodle, where you will also respond to the discussion prompts for each of the milestones. Participants who complete all the requirements will receive a certificate of completion for 30 contact hours and a $150 completion stipend.
Limited to 20 in-service educators. May 25-Sept 7. Apply here. Download the curriculum here.
Cycling Taiwan: A Virtual Multi-Disciplinary Introduction to the History and Culture of Taiwan
Created by Anne Prescott and Yurika Kurakata
Special thanks to
Prof. Li-Hsin Chen, National Kaohsiung University of Hospitality and Tourism, Taiwan
Sherry Tsou, Cycling Culture Museum, Taichung (Giant Bicycle)
Sheron Wang, Cycling Lifestyle Foundation, Taipei (Giant Bicycle)
Funded by a generous grant from the Freeman Foundation
Participants cycle (both virtually and the distance in reality) 612.1 miles around Taiwan, completing readings, viewing webinars/videos, exploring websites, and responding to discussion prompts for an introductory unit and twelve location-based milestones. In addition, text and photos with general information as well as links to information and resources for each milestone can be used independently, or as introductions to or in conjunction with the readings, videos and assignments. The milestone texts are available at the end of this document. Ideally users will explore each location using Google Street View as well.
Individual units may be used independently, and instructors may select from the readings, other resources and discussion prompts as appropriate for their classrooms. Users are strongly encouraged to utilize Google Street View to enhance their learning about the human and physical geography of Taiwan.
When doing the entire program, accommodations can easily be made for those who do not wish to cycle. For example, you may choose to walk (double or triple the number of miles you walk—whatever seems right to you); swim (adjust the number of miles accordingly—choose an equivalency that makes sense to you); or do another type of activity. The point of cycling is for you to have some sense of the distance around Taiwan, but you should feel free to do what is comfortable for you if you choose not to cycle.
Participants enrolled in the seminar will receive access to My Virtual Mission, all milestone emails, required books, and supplementary materials on Moodle. Those who complete the seminar will receive a certificate of completion for 40 contact hours and a $150 completion stipend.
Registration for the summer 2026 seminar, running from May 25-Sept 7, can be found here. Download the curriculum here.
Receive the Weekly E-Bulletin
The Center publishes a weekly e-bulletin during the academic year. Each issue provides information about East Asia–related events, study and travel opportunities for teachers and their students, and educational resources. If you wish to receive the e-bulletin, please email: fcceas@fivecolleges.edu
Links to East Asia Departments at the Five College Campuses
Contacts
