Translating Religion Across Asia

Chinese calligraphy of Islamic text.

Seeking students to examine the ways in which religious texts and scholars circulated across Asia, assembling materials to be employed in a future graduate seminar on the history of translation in Asian religious traditions. 

Project description

This project seeks to examine the ways in which religious texts and scholars circulated across Asia. The materials assembled by student assistants for this project will be employed in a future graduate seminar on the history of translation in Asian religious traditions. Examples could include studies of Chinese-language Islamic texts, the circulation of Buddhist monks among South, Southeast, and East Asia, the modern institutions tertiary educational institutions devoted to foreign languages, etc. Preference will be given to applicants who are able to read academic prose in an Asian language. Prof. Hakala will assist students in requesting sources through UB Libraries, securing funding to visit Asian Studies library collections, and preparing a presentation at a research conference or paper for publication in a journal. Students interested in this project will need to read some introductory works on popular culture in Asia and demonstrate proficiency with bibliography software (e.g., EndNote, Bookends, Zotero) before beginning this project.

Project outcome

The specific outcomes of this project will be identified by the faculty mentor at the beginning of your collaboration. 

Project details

Timing, eligibility and other details
Length of commitment Variable
Start time Fall, Spring, Summer
In-person, remote, or hybrid?
Hybrid
Level of collaboration Variable
Benefits Academic Credit, Volunteer
Who is eligible Reading knowledge of one or more Asian languages; ability to carry out research independently
Critical Language and Fulbright Scholarships

Students participating in this project might be interested in and eligible for the Critical Language Scholarship and the Fulbright Scholarship. Connect with the Office of Fellowships and Scholarships to learn more.

Project mentor

Walter Hakala

Associate Professor

Asian Studies and English

315 Clemens Hall

Phone: (716) 645-3419

Email: walterha@buffalo.edu

Start the project

  1. Email the project mentor using the contact information above to express your interest and get approval to work on the project. (Here are helpful tips on how to contact a project mentor.)
  2. After you receive approval from the mentor to start this project, click the button to start the digital badge. (Learn more about ELN's digital badge options.) 

Preparation activities

Once you begin the digital badge series, you will have access to all the necessary activities and instructions. Your mentor has indicated they would like you to also complete the specific preparation activities below. Please reference this when you get to Step 2 of the Preparation Phase. 

  • Set up a meeting with Prof. Walt Hakala using the contact information above to discuss what specific activities you will complete to prepare for this mentored project. 

Keywords

Asian Studies and English