Wanted: Secondary Education Teachers with Asian Interests

PITTSBURGH—Pitt's Asian Studies Center (ASC) will host the second session of its new Dialogues in Asian Studies series from 5 to 8 p.m. April 13 in 4E51 Wesley W. Posvar Hall, 230 S. Bouquet St., Oakland. Area secondary teachers are invited to attend the free session titled "Privileged Access: Literature and Film as a Window Into East Asian Culture."

J. Thomas Rimer, professor and chair of Pitt's Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures and professor of theater arts and art history, and Joan Reteshka, an English teacher at Sewickley Academy Senior School, will lead the Privileged Access session. The goal of the series is to help teachers better understand Asia and implement Asian studies into their curriculum.

The dialogues series grew out of the experiences of area secondary teachers who have participated in the National Consortium for Teaching about Asia training—a

30-hour seminar on East Asian history, geography, literature, and culture—and those who have traveled abroad with the Pitt in China program. Understanding the importance of teaching students about Asia, these teachers desire to share with their colleagues the knowledge, skills, and materials they have acquired. Together with faculty from Pitt, Duquesne University, and St. Vincent's College, secondary teachers from eight area high schools discuss the latest research, authoritative resources, and approaches to teaching about Asia.

The series will continue in Fall 2004 with sessions focusing on foreign policy and trade issues. Teachers can attend any or all of the remaining sessions in the dialogues series. Those who attend are eligible for Act 48 accreditation.

The dialogues series is sponsored by ASC within the University Center for International Studies and subsidized by the Freeman Foundation. Teachers attending will receive a complimentary dinner and parking voucher. To register, call Yulia Bolotskikh at 412-648-7737.

###

4/7/04/mgc