[KS] Does "the Orient" still exist?

[Joerg Plassen]

It need not be emphasized that the Russian tradition has from its outset 
been (a rather splendid) and thus acknowledged part of the European 
academic tradition.
However, it should be pointed out that in spite of obvious "colonial 
vestiges" there is substantial reason for maintaining Faculties of 
Oriental Studies: For instance, East Asian history of thought most 
obviously cannot be understood without reference to Indian and Central 
Asian  developments. Vice versa, traditional Indology is heavly 
dependent on the knowledge of Chinese texts....
The belated opposition against suspected forms of "Orientalism" might in 
fact mirror a certain preoccupation with political notions of the 20th 
century.

Joerg Plassen
Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum




CHIRKOV D S wrote:

> Greetings,
>
> Tikhonov writes that "The faculty I graduated from in St-Petersbourg, 
> remains "Oriental" - and, I guess, will not change the name."
>
> What, however, proves the point that "oriental" is an imperialist 
> vestige, is the fact, that in St.-Petersburg, there is not simply an 
> Oriental Studies Faculty, but a Faculty of Oriental and African 
> Studies (!).
>
> What brings scholars to intellectually group Korean Studies with 
> Persian, African, and Georgian is clear: a Russian attempt to mimic 
> European modes of education.

>
> It is ironic to note, that until recently, Europe considered that 
> Russia itself, is, the Orient.
>
> It is high time that one of the largest countries in Asia - Russia - 
> take steps to integrate itself into the East Asian context. Removing 
> outmoded distinctions based on a colonial understanding of the world 
> is in order.
>
> Regards,
> Chirkov.
> dchirkov (at) fas harvard edu
>


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Dr. Joerg Plassen, (Jun.Prof. Geistesgeschichte Koreas)
Ruhr-Universitaet Bochum
Fakultaet fuer Ostasienwissenschaften
Sprache und Kultur Koreas
D-44780 Bochum
Germany

eMail: joerg.plassen at ruhr-uni-bochum.de
Tel. (off.)  : +49-(0)234-32-22919
Fax  (off.)  : +49-(0)234-32-14747
Tel. (priv.) : +49-(0)234-798-1235