COD's Asia symposium offers immersion in Japanese arts and culture

College of DuPage has sponsored Asia symposia annually for more than 20 years. Each year the program focuses on a different Asian country — this year the event is “Understanding Japan: The Spirit of Tradition and Forces of Modernization.”

Naheed Hasan, a professor of psychology at College of DuPage, is using some of her professional skills to calm anxious dancers. They are rehearsing for a talent show that's one of the assorted events making up this year's Asia Symposium.

“It's impossible to get everyone together for the flash mob,” explains the young choreographer, biting her lip. “People have classes, or work, or childcare problems … we might not be able to do the number.”

Dr. Hasan is unflappable, even as other students buzz about her, giving updates on the status of costumes, decorations, refreshments. “Here's where you develop some leadership skills,” she instructs the dancer, and explains how to inspire group members, in this case, time-challenged dancers, to rearrange their schedules.

The young woman nods, and gathers the dozen dancers present to practice their moves. They twist and spin through the Bollywood-style number, but their leader isn't satisfied. She wants them as synchronized as the Taiko drummers and Hula dancers who'll be sharing the stage on March 22.

College of DuPage has sponsored Asia symposia annually for more than twenty years. Each year the program focuses on a different Asian country — this year the event is “Understanding Japan: The Spirit of Tradition and Forces of Modernization.”

These are major affairs — Dr. Keith Krasemann, professor of Philosophy, says the program's speakers, performances and art exhibits draw over 1,000 students and community members. Krasemann went to China as a Fulbright scholar in 1993, and since then has developed numerous seminars, programs and study opportunities worldwide, in order to spread his passion for all things Asian to American academics and students.

“Japan is the logical focus for this year's program,” Krasemann says. “It's a year since Fukushima and the tsunami. We're fascinated by Japan's relationship with nuclear power, and how the Japanese are dealing with the disaster. Their reactions, their resilience, are formed by historical and philosophical traditions.”

Of course, disaster response isn't Japan's only interesting aspect. “High-tech, bullet trains, anime, fashion: Japan is a key force in global economy and culture,” Krasemann explains. “Anyone who comes to any one of our events, comes out with an education — and it's a fun learning experience.”

That's clear from a quick look at the program's range of activities: “Ghosts and Other Creepy Crawlies in Japanese Horror Cinema," a talk by Dr. Jason Christopher Jones of the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, looks at Japanese ghosts and other scary creatures; a tea ceremony performance explains the intricate, ancient custom; an Aikido demonstration presents both the moves and philosophy of this Japanese martial art. The Honorable Okamura Yoshifumi, Consul General of Japan at Chicago will open the program, and University of Chicago professor Norma Field will discuss the Fukushima disaster's implications for Chicago. Dr. Stanley Murashige of The School of the Art Institute will present Challenging Mud: Gutai Art in Postwar Japan.

All this doesn't come together by magic. Over 20 College of DuPage faculty form the college's Asia Committee, and they, along with dozens of students work all year to organize the event. It helps that the college's active Asia Student Organization is eager to promote Asia's myriad cultural aspects.

Aparna Parthasarathi, the club's president, is at the talent show rehearsal, organizing a fashion show segment. Asia Club women will model traditional wedding garb from various Asian countries, and Aparna is taking inventory. Saris, salwar kameez, Chinese Qi Pao, Korean hanbok: check, check, check, check. But who's got a kimono? There has to be at least one kimono! The women's voices rise in a flood of names and connections: this one's aunt, that girl who showed up to one meeting-- and a few go off to contact likely owners of a wedding kimono.

Yang Huang, a College of DuPage student from China, takes the microphone. A capella, her voice dances through a captivating melody, up and down through many octaves. In Yang's rendering, the traditional Chinese song sounds like one of Adele's pieces. It turns out Yang is no amateur; in China she had years of training in Chinese opera. Still, what she really wants to sing is a Chinese rap, and she does a verse or two. It's a surprise, to western ears. The rhythms are a bit different, the language unfamiliar. Chinese rap is novel to hear, but doesn't present Yang's beautiful trained voice like a melody would. Dr. Hasan helps Yang consider her performance options, and together, they decide on a medley of Chinese classical, pop and rap.

Of course, participation in the Japan Symposium isn't limited to Asian students. Chemistry professor Lubna Haque organized a poster competition: Japan: Overcoming the Tsunami to attract participation from student artists and budding social commentators. Student writers are invited to participate in a Haiku contest, coordinated by ESL professor Linda Osanka. Posters and poems will be on exhibit during the symposium.

Lindsey Berkhoff, one of the Bollywood dancers, is wearing a scarf and printed shirt that suggest South Asian origins, but her light blonde hair suggests otherwise. “My ancestry is entirely European,” she says, “but for years I've been fascinated by the cultures of India. Professor Hasan suggested I check out the Asia club, and now I'm totally involved. I have a dance background, so it was natural to join the dance troupe — after all, it's just a matter of learning the moves.”

"Understanding Japan: The Spirit of Tradition and Forces of Modernization" takes place March 22, 2012, at College of DuPage, with auxiliary events March 20 and 21.

For a complete event listing including times and places, go to http://www.cod.edu/news-events/news/12_march/12_japansymposium.aspx.

Contact: Dr. Lubna Haque 630 942-2110

All events are free and open to the public.