Events

This conference is co-organized by Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore and Department of English and Asian Studies Program, Texas Tech University. It is co-sponsored by the U.S. Embassy in Singapore and Asia Research Institute, National University of Singapore.

With the recent historical Trump-Kim Summit in Singapore and an ongoing trade war between the United States and China, the Asian Pacific has remained a hot spot in global geopolitics. What do these new developments mean to the U.S. and the Asian Pacific? How would the U.S. continue to promote its political ideals of democracy and human rights in the region? Why would the U.S. presence matter to the stability and prosperity of the region? These questions not only require us to consider historically the relationship between the United States and the Asian Pacific in the fields of American studies, Asian studies, and Asian American studies, but they also compel us to develop new critical models to investigate religion, literature, and culture in transnational spaces and temporalities.

This conference will bring together leading scholars in American studies, Asian studies, and Asian American studies and initiate a critical conversation on geopolitics, representation, and transpacific American studies, and global Asian studies. Hailing from North America, Oceania, East and Southeast Asia, these scholars will share their unique critical and historical perspectives on geopolitics and histories on the one hand and explore the U.S. encounter with the Asian Pacific in different religious, literary, and cultural forms on the other hand. How are transnational flows of religion, literature, and culture creating alternative networks across these regions? As a hub between East and West, between East and Southeast Asia, Singapore is positioned as a unique site for engaging critical exchanges and conversations on these topics.

REGISTRATION

Admission is free, and seats are available on a first come, first served basis. We would greatly appreciate if you click on the “Register” button above to RSVP.

CONVENORS

Prof Kenneth Dean
Religion and Globalization Cluster Leader, Asia Research Institute
Head, Department of Chinese Studies
National University of Singapore
E | chshead@nus.edu.sg

Assoc Prof Yuan Shu
Associate Professor, Department of English
Director of Asian Studies Program
Texas Tech University, USA
E | yuan.shu@ttu.edu