Parris Chang feels that China is an important country and that Penn State students have been deprived of a curriculum rich in Chinese, Japanese and East Asian cultures.
Once a Penn State professor, Chang said he was pleased to return to Penn State after being invited by the Dickinson School of Law and the School of International Affairs. He gave his lecture, titled "U.S. Role in the China-Taiwan Divide," Thursday afternoon in the auditorium of the Lewis Katz Building.
Chang began by speaking about China's celebration of the 60th anniversary of the People's Republic of China on Thursday. Largely focusing on the history of the politics between China, Taiwan and the United States and how different parties and people have impacted modern day politics, he gave insight into something many students may not know about.
Emily Helms (graduate-international affairs) said she went to the lecture because she wanted to learn more about the history of China and Taiwan. She was interested to learn about the passion the Taiwanese feel about their independence and how the political climate in Taiwan relates to China and the ambiguity of what's to come in China's 2012 election.
"In general, I think students should take an interest in what goes on in the world. Students should become involved in social justice and political issues inside and beyond the United States," she said.
Thursday's lecture differed from most presented by the School of International Affairs. Though most lecturers do not receive gifts, Tiyanjana Maluwa, director for the School of International Affairs, presented Chang with gifts including a paperweight and a pen from the school. In presenting, he relayed his own experiences in his home country of Malawi and that country's relationship with Taiwan.
Chris O'Day (senior-international politics) said Chang gave him an insight into Taiwanese politics that he wasn't used to hearing. O'Day, who studied in Shanghai in the spring of 2008, said that in China, Taiwan is seen as a part of China by the people and for that reason, Taiwan is not seen as having its own identity.
"I already knew a lot of information -- what's happened in the past. He gave me an update about what's happening now -- he's on the front line of it," O'Day said.
