Modernity, Colonialism, and Globalization Studies Emphasis

Modernity in East Asia refers to the social conditions, processes, and discourses that were either unprecedented or dramatically different from previous eras in their long histories. The study of modernity may consist of colonialism, imperialism, nationalism, revolutions, mass democracy, industrialization, market economy, capitalism, urbanism, interethnic encounters and conflicts, indigenous communities, social movements, environmental degradation and environmentalist movements, and studies of neo-liberalism, globalization, travel and tourism, among others. We draw from a variety of disciplines such as history, anthropology, and literature to understand and demonstrate the nature of modernity in East Asia. This interdisciplinary approach allows us to broaden the understanding of “modernity” from exclusively denoting Western European culture and demonstrate the key processes and dynamics of modernity in non-Western societies.

Faculty:
Sabine Frühstück
Susan Hwang
Suma Ikeuchi
Fabio Rambelli
Dominic Steavu
Hangping Xu
Mayfair Yang

Affiliated Faculty:
Kate McDonald
Luke Roberts
Xiaowei Zheng