–Vanessa Pukal
What is the International Studies Symposium?
The Annual International Studies Symposium is a project entirely conceived and managed by students at Glendon College, York University. It was initiated during the 1995-1996 academic year by a group of highly motivated students, eager to deepen their knowledge and experience of foreign countries or regions and the relations between Canada and those countries or regions. This highly demanding course has five main components: a series of seminars, the organization of an international colloquium, a field research trip to the country of study, the submission of a research essay on aspects of the county concerned, and the publication of the proceedings of the Symposium and students’ essays.
Glendon College, location of the March 29th International Studies Symposium, Photo credit: Kelly Lui
What is the focus of this year’s Symposium, and why?
This year, for Glendon College’s 20th Annual International Studies Symposium, the team decided to pick a country that was unique in both its domestic culture and its contribution to global politics. Japan fits this description beautifully. While it has managed to maintain the continuity of a single imperial line over hundreds of years, it has a complex past and an ever evolving future. Japan is particularly interesting to the team as it is a state that built its own path to development. While Japan is a modern nation, it reached this point in a very unique way, by mixing new techniques with age old traditions. The members of the team look forward to examining this in more detail. Other research interests of the members of this year’s Symposium lie in various fields regarding Japan, ranging from popular culture to the future of technology. The team looks forward to learning more about Japan, a state that has a rich history and a fascinating future.
What can I expect from the Symposium?
Symposium organizers have consistently invited many distinguished speakers and guests to participate, from Canadian academics to foreign diplomats. The project has become a major event, forging links among various constituencies, notably the Glendon, York and outside academic community as well as the wider metropolitan and even the international community. While many, inside and outside the university, make significant contributions to this annual event, the key to the project’s success.
We would like to invite all those interested in a great academic and cultural experience to attend this year’s symposium taking place on Sunday, March 29th, 2015 from 8am-5pm. Throughout the day there will be 5 panel taking place with distinguished speakers and academics for each. Topics for this year’s academic panels are as follows: Youth & Pop Culture – From Godzilla to Naruto; the Economy Under Abe & Looking Ahead – Economy, Business & Technology; Post-Growth Japan & its Domestic Policies; Japan & the World – Politics & Diplomacy; and, History & Memory – Japanese Communities During WWII. The symposium also includes breakfast, authentic Japanese cuisine and cultural performances and a wine and cheese gala to close off the day.
To find out more information on the Japan Symposium please visit our website:
Tickets are on sale now for $25 for students and $40 for general admission. You can buy them here:
International Symposium launch party, Photo credit: Kelly Lui