[asiacouncil] Fw: Welcome to the Teaching Asia Workshop -- Islam in Asia

[David L Starling]

________________________________
From: Paul Rodell <rodell at georgiasouthern.edu>
Sent: Sunday, March 18, 2018 8:46 PM
To: Paul Rodell
Subject: Welcome to the Teaching Asia Workshop -- Islam in Asia


Greetings Workshop Participants,

            I and the other session presenters are looking forward to seeing you this coming Friday and Saturday for the sixth Teaching Asia workshop hosted by the Asia Council of the University System of Georgia (USG). For those not familiar with this workshop series, they are designed for instructors who would like to integrate more Asia focused material into their courses. All of these workshops have been in the Atlanta Metro area since the bulk of the state’s population and the largest concentration of its post-secondary institutions are located there or nearby. Workshop presenters are USG faculty who donate their time and expertise.



            This workshop differs from the earlier ones that focused on a country or region that included India, China, Korea, Southeast Asia and Japan. This is the first time we are hosting a workshop covering much of Asia based on a central theme. We would very much appreciate your feedback at the end of the workshop as to the value of this approach for your teaching. Also feel free to suggest any other potential topics for future workshops.



            I have attached the program for this week’s workshop for those who would like an early “heads up” about our topics and schedule. On the second page are brief bios of the presenters. You need not print this out as copies will be available on-site. And, who knows, there is always the possibility of minor last minute changes or adjustments.



            As in previous workshops, we will start promptly at 1:00 p.m. at the GSU Perimeter College, Clarkston Campus site, the CN Building (Student Center) on the second floor. The address for the campus is 555 N. Indian Creek Drive in Clarkston. If you wish to contact me before the workshop my cellphone is 912-314-0230.



            On Friday we will have a busy afternoon and evening. After brief welcomes by Asia Council leaders and the Vice Provost & Dean of the College, I will give a very short half hour comparative overview about the nature of Islamic adherence and practice across Asia. After a short break we will hear from Sandrine Catris of Augusta whose historical research specializes on the Uyghurs of China. Anyone teaching about Islamic societies or the history and politics of Muslim peoples should have some background about the religion. So, Jonathan Leightner the economist from Augusta who has presented at other workshops will explain what he does in his courses and in his additional studies.



            The remainder of our busy first day will see me discussing Islam in Island Southeast Asia which is generally recognized as the states of Malaysia, Indonesia, Brunei, East Timor and the Philippines. I will try to distill a semester course into an hour and fifteen minutes. Then, after dinner, Professor Leightner will return for a more focused look at Thailand’s Muslims and issues of religion and national integrity in that country.



            Saturday will be a brief half day that I very much expect will be lively and quite worthwhile. My long-time friend and former Georgia Southern colleague now at Augusta, Sudha Ratan will review critical regional issues in South Asia which is generally recognized as the states of India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Himalayan states of Nepal and Bhutan, plus the island countries of Sri Lanka and Maldives. She will clearly have her work cut out for her to define and frame her discussion but she, too, has a course she is teaching this semester that will benefit her, and us too which will be wonderful.



            The last presentation will be a new innovation for our workshop series – a roundtable discussion which will discuss the current condition of the persecuted Rohingya of Myanmar (former Burma). Attempts to recruit a Myanmar specialist in Georgia and even beyond came to naught. However, the presenters will lay out the issue and basic questions, then we and you the audience can join in on a discussion. The situation of the Rohingya refugees is an important topic for obvious human rights reasons but also for additional issues that include regional security, national policies and regional conflicts. I first went to the country when it was still called Burma and I was struck by the warmth of its people who live in deep poverty. However, even then I learned of the antipathy that Burmese held for the country’s Indian minority. What is happening now is deep seated and truly tragic. This is an issue certain to enliven your class discussions and lead to mini-research projects.



            Well . . . this welcome letter has gone on FAR longer than I anticipated! So, on behalf of the Asia Council and the workshop presenters, I welcome you all.



            Paul Rodell




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