Prof. Heung Wah WONG is Associate Professor of Global Creative
Industries Program at The University of Hong Kong. He obtained his PhD
in Social Anthropology from Oxford University in 1996. His research
interest lies in the globalization of Japanese popular culture, anthropology
of business, and cultural policies in East Asia.
Drawing inspiration from Wu Jianren’s renowned novel, Bizarre Happenings Eyewitnessed Over Two Decades, published during the Qing Dynasty in China, this talk presents the author’s observations of peculiar occurrences witnessed over three decades in the field of Japanese Studies. The speaker explores three distinct categories of odd happenings. Firstly, the evaluation system within universities and academic communities is examined, demonstrating its influence on the form and character of academic work in Japanese Studies. Secondly, the talk investigates absurd interpretations found in academic publications within the field of Japanese Studies, highlighting not only their illogical nature but also their acceptance as common sense within academia. Lastly, the talk analyzes the structure of academia as an industry, revealing its impact on the worldview of practitioners. By shedding light on these bizarre phenomena, this talk aims to elucidate the reasons behind the declining readership of practitioners in the field of Japanese Studies, as well as the broader academic world.
Event Page: https://www.jas.cuhk.edu.hk/academic/cuhk-japan-forum-some-odd-things-i-witnessed-in-the-field-of-japanese-studies-over-three-decades-6-mar-2024/
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Misaki Nagaoka mnagaoka@cuhk.edu.hk