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Guest lecturer to help kick off Asian Conversation revival

By Anna Stevens '10
November 7, 2007

Karen Wigen, associate professor of history at Stanford University, will give a lecture relative to the relaunching of the St. Olaf Asian Conversation program at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 8, in Buntrock Commons, Viking Theater. The lecture is free and open to the public.

Wigen's career has involved many different areas of Asian history. In recent research Wigen has begun to look at geography textbooks and maps to explore the evolution of regional identity and geographies of the imagination in the alpine reaches of central Honshu. One of Wigen's books will be used as part of next year's Asian Conversation program.

The Asian Conversation program is in the midst of a significant revision before relaunching in fall 2008. During its first decade the program enrolled students immediately after their arrival at St. Olaf. The "new" program, however, will instead target students who have already begun studying Chinese or Japanese.

Student research
Wigins' lecture will demonstrate how the evolution of regional identities has shaped the way in which people view the world, while also touching on the exciting world of research in which St. Olaf students can participate when involved with the Asian Conversation program.

"We wanted students to know first-hand just how exciting this kind of research is," says Kathy Tegtmeyer Pak, associate professor of political science and member of the Asian Conversation faculty.

"One of the main reasons we made the change is so we can better realize the promise of the Asian Conversation program," says Pak. "Students will be able to see how much their language study contributes to their understanding of Asia and to understand just how many new conversations they can join in with their language skills."

During her visit Wigen also will join a seminar with the Asian Conversation faculty to discuss plans for the new classes. With experience planning such programs, the faculty is excited for her input and reactions to plans for the new Asian Conversation program.

Contact David Gonnerman at 507-786-3315 or gonnermd@stolaf.edu.