ITASA 2007 East Coast Workshops and Activities
Note: These descriptions, titles, and speakers are subject to change without notice, please check back here often for the most up to date information on our workshops and activities.
Program:
Workshop 1 | Cultural Explorations 1 | Workshop 2 | Workshop 3 | Cultural Explorations 2 | Workshop 4 | Workshop 5
Social:
ITASAssins | TASA Tussle | Tea Time with TASAs | Mr. and Ms. ITASA | Incognito | Iron Chef
Workshops and Cultural Explorations
Workshop Session 1
February 2nd, 3:00 - 3:50 PM
Location: Hilles Center
Spreading the Word:Christian Developments in Taiwan
Speakers: Professor James R. Rohrer, University of Nebraska -- Kearney
Though the Christian population on the island of Taiwan is less than 5% of the total population, the Christian influence on the island has been quite significant. Of especial importance, foreign missionaries such as the Canadian missionary George Leslie Mackay, brought much of Western education and values to Taiwan, as well as the seeds to democracy. Amongst the first pro-independent voices heard on the island were declarations by various churches. How has Christianity as a religious faith affected the social, cultural, and political dynamics of Taiwan?
Taiwan's Imagined Geography:Historical Perspective on Cross Straits Issues
Speakers: Professor Emma Teng, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
What if we were to understand the China-Taiwan issue not simply as 'leftover' from the Chinese Civil War [of 1949], as the People's Republic of China asserts, but also as 'leftover' from the history of Qing imperialism? How might our perspective on this issue change if we were to name the Qing presence on Taiwan 'colonial'? Join Dr. Teng in exploring and discussing this provocative question.
Cultural Explorations 1
February 2nd, 4:00 - 4:50 PM
Location: Hilles Center
The Art of Dao:Taichi Workshop
Speakers: Master Yon LeeModern Taiwanese Hip-Hop
Speakers: Witness Huang
Workshop Session 2
February 2nd, 5:00 - 5:50 PM
Location: Hilles Center
Color Wars:Contemporary Taiwanese Politics
Speakers: Professor Steven Goldstein, Smith College
When discussing the dramatic and controversial 2004 presidential elections in Taiwan, Professor Goldstein has used the analogy of "the perfect storm" - a confluence of political and social factors in Taiwan, the United States, and China that exacerbated a dangerous situation. For this talk, Professor Goldstein will look into his crystal ball and share his predictions about current trends and possible crises in the Taiwan Strait.
Pirates!:Taiwanese Intellectual Property Rights
Speakers: Professor Andrew Torrance, University of Kansas;
Dr. Y. Rocky Tsao, Fish & Richardson, P.C.
Intellectual property rights in the world has become more and more of an issue with the rise and spread of communication methods, in particular, internet usage. From audio to literature to video, the security of intellectual property rights has been declining, and with the globalization of communities and societies, what does that mean for Taiwan? How does the development of intellectual property rights affect Taiwan and greater Asia?
Workshop Session 3
February 3rd, 11:00 - 11:50 AM
Location: Science Center
Missiles, Germs, and Factories:Cross-Straits Security Concerns
Speakers: John Tkacik, Jr., Heritage Foundation
Identified as one of the five 'flash points' in the world, the security of the Taiwan strait in the East Asia Pacific is of grave importance to the United States as well as the rest of the world. The People's Republic of China has declared its willingness to utilize military force, if necessary, to keep the people of Taiwan from declaring independence. The U.S., on the other hand, has long supported the democracy in Taiwan. How are cross straits dynamics to be considered, in the context of the growing economic importance of the People's Republic of China? How does internal Taiwanese political conflict affect the cross straits concerns?
Shamans, Herbalists, and Doctors:An Informal Look at Taiwanese Health Care
Speakers: Professor Arthur Kleinman, Harvard University
Renown anthropologist and master scholar of Chinese and Taiwanese medicine, Arthur Kleinman exhibits an extensive range of knowledge about Taiwanese health care and Chinese medicine. Kleinman is the Esther and Sidney Rabb Professor in the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University. Having lived in Taiwan for several years, Kleinman can speak Chinese fluently and has also engaged in research about Taiwanese health care systems. Today, Kleinman will be speaking about the "informal" or the "non-official" health care system of Taiwan, which includes the health care setting in homes or among friends and relatives. Join Kleinman for a discussion about the fascinating aspects of the other side of health care you never knew about!
Beautiful Minds:Taiwanese Americans in the World
Speakers: Dr. Maw-Kuen Wu, Director of the Institute of Physics, Academia Sinica, Taiwan;
Dr. Charles Tu, Associate Dean of Jacobs School of Engineering, UC - San Diego
Being a subset of the broader category of Asian Americans, how have Taiwanese Americans developed a sense of identity, and how do they cope with the differences between the familial culture, and the American societal culture? Consequently, how has the social and cultural differences between the United States and Taiwan affected Taiwanese Americans who seek a career in Taiwan, or elsewhere in the world?
Cultural Explorations 2
February 3rd, 1:30 - 2:20 PM
Location: Science Center
Taiwanese Delicacies:A Cooking Workshop
Speakers: North America Taiwanese Women's AssociationTraditional Arts and Crafts:
Nie-Mien Ren
Speakers: Chuan DaoCalligraphy
Speakers: Professor Qianshen Bai, Boston University
Workshop Session 4
February 3rd, 3:30 - 4:20 PM
Location: Science Center
Entrepreneurial Opportunities for Taiwanese Scholars in the US:Multimillion Dollar Network Marketing Experts
Speakers: Tommy Wyatt;
Vince Widger;
Russ Widger
Description forthcoming...
To Infinity... and Beyond!:A Technological Panel
Speakers: Dr. Shih-Chin Wu, The Boeing Company;
Dr. Kun-Lung Wu, IBM --- T.J. Watson Research Center;
Dr. Henry Chang, IBM --- T.J. Watson Research Center;
Dr. Chun-Tao 'Chuck' Li, IBM --- T.J. Watson Research Center
Many Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans choose to pursue careers in the technology industry, whether it is in engineering, computer science, or other sciences. What motivates these people to their studies and their careers? What were the hardships experienced, studying abroad, as opposed to receiving their degree from a Taiwanese academic institution? Join our panelists in discussion of their choices which led them to where they are today.
Fairy Tales:Taiwanese American Writers
Speakers: Ms. Justina Chen Headley, Author;
Ms. Grace Lin, Author
Unicorns...fire-breathing dragons... genies-in-bottles ... What elements compose children's books? How could one write effectively to capture the attention of a child and still introduce them to elements of Taiwanese culture? Join Ms. Headley and Ms. Lin to learn how to create modern day fairy tales with a multicultural twist.
Workshop Session 5
February 3rd, 4:30 - 5:20 PM
Location: Science Center
You got Served!:Taiwanese Voluntary Organizations
Speakers: Professor Robert P. Weller, Boston University
It is well noted in the United States how many local and national voluntary organizations, such as Habitat for Humanity and local churches, have significant impacts on the communities and society which they serve, whether it is to reduce poverty, environmental and sustainability issues, or just to serve. However, what dynamics govern the interactions between Taiwanese local voluntary organizations and their work on the island? How has the changes in societal dynamics affected state and governmental policies?
You're Gonna Be a ...What?:An Alternative Careers Panel
Speakers: Ms. Joanne Chang, Flour Bakery;
Ms. Tina Tang, Tina Tang Studio;
Mr. Forrest Liau, RallyPoint, Inc.
Many Taiwanese and Taiwanese Americans explore fields such as medicine, law, business, and engineering, but there are also others who chose to instead follow their passions and explore ''non-traditional'' careers. What influenced these decisions? What hardships resulted because of these decisions? Join our panelists to discuss their aspirations in life.
Inaugurate, Initiate, Innovate:Taiwanese Entrepreneurs in America
Speakers: Dr. Alice Hsin, Integral Communications, Inc. (President and Founder), LINX Communications, Inc. (CEO and President)
It is well known that many Taiwanese have made a fortune investing and starting businesses in China. However, it is not as well known that Taiwanese entrepreneurs in the United States have also done well. What makes the environment in the United States more difficult? How can we prepare ourselves for the business world? Join Dr. Hsin in a workshop where she shares her personal experience as a technology entrepreneur in the United States.
ITASAssins
February 2-3
Have you ever dreamed of being a secret agent on a mission to 'eliminate' someone? We hope not, but you'll get to do pretty much just that in our 500+ person, conference-long game of assassins. Eliminate your mark by tagging him/her with a sticker of death before someone sticks you. Kill or be killed. It's pretty simple.
TASA Tussle
February 2, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Compete with other TASAs from across the East coast in the ultimate showdown of brains, brawn, skill, talent, endurance, and wit. Find out whose TASA is truly the best through a pineapple bun eating contest (clearly the most objective way to determine TASA superiority), a mind-blowing game of Jeopardy, and many other top-secret competitions that will force your TASA to test its limits. If you don't want to be left in the dust, we recommend that you start training. Now.
Tea Time with TASAs
February 3rd, 10:00 - 11:00 AM
Come meet and mingle with fellow TASA officers from throughout the East Coast! After bonding over exotic teas, Taiwanese shaved ice, and classic dim sum foods, strengthen the TASA network by sharing memorable experiences with the future Taiwanese/American leaders of this generation.
Mr. and Ms. ITASA (eligibility)
February 2nd, 8:30 - 9:30 PM
Location: Leverett House
ITASA 2007 presents to you 2 nights of poise, elegance, and beauty! On the first night, contestants will show off their poise and creativity in our “Taiwan” gown competition, donning whatever they feel represents Taiwan, then display magnificent oratory skills during the interview. For the 2nd night, sit back at the banquet and prepare to be amazed by a talent show put on by the 6 finalists—3 heart-throbbing gentlemen and 3 jaw-dropping ladies. Only two, however, will be crowned Mr. and Ms. ITASA 2007!
Incognito
February 2nd, 9:30 PM - 12:00 AM
Location: Quincy House
Take chocolate fondue, classy finger food, masked waiters with fancy dim sum foods, and a special performance, all in a James Bond backdrop and what do you get? One classed up cocktail night called Incognito! Take the night off to show a side of you that no one ever knew before and clink glasses with your fellow ITASAers. And…if you answer James Bond trivia questions, you can win a James Bond movie poster! Dress to impress and come enjoy a night of Bond glamour!
Iron Chef (eligibility)
February 3rd, 12:00 - 1:30 PM
You've drooled over it on TV, you've visited Morimoto's restaurant in Philly, and now it's time for you to grab that skillet and jump into the heat itself at ITASA's Iron Chef competition! Schools with representing teams will compete in a timed and tested race to contrive the best culinary dishes using the same equipment and ingredients. Final declaration of the winning team will be determined at an exquisite taste testing event in which an expert panel of guest ITASA speakers and lecturers will announce the most scrumptiously skilled team. Each member of the winning team will be rewarded with a surprise culinary reward that will leave every Iron Chef boiling hot! Don’t miss out on this fast-paced battle of the schools and the chance to win the official ITASA Iron Chef champion title!