"Foreign Bodies" investigates the relation between the notion of trauma and possible forms of representation within the necessary constraints that traumatic experience itself imposes. While many influential trauma theorists have focused on the notion of textual "voice" in their search for appropriate, effective, and adequate representational modes, the book argues that the act of narrating trauma cannot exclude corporeality as one of the central figures of this telling. One of the distinctive features of this book is, therefore, the attempt at tracing the indissoluble bond--detected in the work of a number of contemporary artists such as Toni Morrison, Don DeLillo, Dorothy Allison, and photographer Sally Mann--between voice and body, trauma and corporeality. In so doing, the book proposes a new direction within trauma studies, one that explicitly views the body as a medium of self-expression and, crucially, textual working through. By conceptually reading these narratives against the Freudian metaphor for traumatic memory that of a quasi-palpable "foreign body" the author attempts to increase or modify current knowledge on the relationship between expressive culture and trauma.

Michael Leifer, who died in 2001, was one of the leading scholars of Southeast Asian international relations. He was hugely influential through his extensive writings and his contacts with people in government and business in the region.

In this book, many of Leifer 's students, colleagues and friends come together to explore the key themes of his work on Southeast Asia, including the notion of order, security, maritime law and foreign policy. The book concludes with an overall assessment of Leifer 's background, worldview and impact on his field.

A scholarly and personal volume devoted to Leifer's vast contributions to the discipline of international relations, this text is a must-read for students and scholars specializing in the region.

Jia Pingwa, whose novels have caused both fame and controversy, has an enormous readership throughout the Chinese speaking world. However, despite Pingwa's cultural significance and the use of his poetry, novels and prose in schools and universities, there has never been any substantial academic study of the writer and his writings. Filling that gap, this book examines the corpus of Pingwa's writing and emphasizes his importance, prominence and relevance to contemporary Chinese society.

This pioneering study discusses Pingwa's works in the light of 'cultural nationalism', showing how he links the cultural identity of China with the cultural authenticity of his local Shaanxi Province. In addition, the book highlights issues of nationalism in contemporary Chinese literature and underpins the significance of regional writing in negotiating China's national identities.

Leftist thought and activism stands as a defining force in the articulation of political culture and policy in modern Japan. Operating from the periphery of formal political power for the most part, the Japanese Left has had an impact that extends far beyond their limited success at the ballot box. This book focuses attention on the influence exerted by the Left on the political landscape of Japan in the modern era, and assesses the reasons for its successes and failures in terms of its impact on enduring dimensions of Japanese political thought, activism and policy.
Studies of the Japanese Left have hitherto focused on the formal political entities of the Japan Socialist Party and the Japan Communist Party, on crisis points or on single-issue factors such as Article 9 of the 1947 Constitution or the Gulf War in 1991. With essays from an international team of contributors looking at the deeper issues such as pacifist idealism, the dynamics of opposition politics in Japan, and distinguishing features of Japanese Leftist policy such as opposition to liberalization of agricultural trade and positive relations with North Korea, The Left in Japanese Politics will provide a much-needed fresh interpretation of the modern sweep of Japanese politics.

Rapid economic growth in the world's most populous nation is leading to widespread soil erosion, desertification, deforestation and the depletion of vital natural resources. The scale and severity of environmental problems in China now threaten the economic and social foundations of its modernization. Using case studies, Morton analyzes the relationship between international and local responses to environmental problems in China, challenging the prevailing wisdom that weak compliance is the only constraint upon local environmental management in China. It advances two interrelated discussions: first, it constructs a conceptual framework for understanding the key dimensions of environmental capacity. This is broadly defined to encompass the financial, institutional, technological and social aspects of environmental management. Second, the book presents the results of an empirical inquiry into the implementation of donor-funded environmental projects in both China's poorer and relatively developed regions. By drawing upon extensive fieldwork, it seeks to explain how, and under what conditions, international donors can strengthen China's environmental capacity, especially at the local level. It will be of interest to those studying Chinese politics, environmental studies and international relations.

Tabloid Britainexamines four popular tabloid newspapers and uncovers the variety of linguistics strategies they use to depict contemporary Britain. These strategies are shown to construct, in a circular fashion, an impersonation of the language of the community of readers which the newspapers seek to attract.

Including examples taken from a month-long study, Martin Conboy considers how this imaginary community of the British nation is drawn through themes such as 'outsiders' and 'insiders', women, celebrity, history and politics. Conboy also demonstrates how the tabloids constitute a successful modern variation of journalism hich has extended its influence beyond the boundaries of print and triggered debate about the related phenomenon of 'tabloidization'.

This critical study of the newspapers' version of popular rhetoric will be of interest to students and researchers in the fields of English, Media and Communication, and Journalism.>

Martin Conboy is a well respected and experienced commentator on journalism and the media. In his new book, Tabloid Britain, he takes a critical look at the language of the tabloids to explore how they - by covering information in a sensational way and only when it suits their wider pattern of coverage - both create a well-defined version of Britain today and construct a type of community. From Posh and Becks to Tony Blair and Osama Bin Laden, the British tabloids become involved in the private and public lives of celebrities, terrorists and political figures alike and help to shape the nation's perception of people and events. Drawing on case studies from all the main tabloids, this book considers the narratives, semantics and ideologies that come together in these papers to create a 'textual community' of nation. It not only analyzes the ways in which language devices are used to create a perceived threat or danger from the outside world (asylum seekers, the European Union, Islamophobia); the language used to describe celebrities; and the use of puns in tabloids, but discusses the language of the tabloids in a wider media and global context. gender and sexuality, this book affords an invaluable insight into how the tabloids have become so influential in everyday British life.

Transnational Cinema: The Film Reader provides an overview of the key concepts and debates within the developing field of transnational cinema.

Bringing together seminal essays from a wide range of sources, this volume engages with films that fashion their narrative and aesthetic dynamics in relation to more than one national or cultural community. The reader is divided into four sections:

• From National to Transnational Cinema
• Global Cinema in the Digital Age
• Motion Pictures: Film, Migration and Diaspora
• Tourists and Terrorists.

Michael Leifer, who died in 2001, was one of the leading scholars of Southeast Asian international relations. He was hugely influential through his extensive writings and his contacts with people in government and business in the region. He also inspired many new students of the region, an impressively large number of whom are now leading figures in their own right in the study of Southeast Asian international relations.
In this important book many of Michael Leifer's students, colleagues and friends come together to explore the key themes of Michael's work, and to discuss the contributions he made. The particular themes explored include the notion of 'order' - a key theme in Michael Leifer's work, a concept never fully defined; the institutions concerned with regional order, especially ASEAN and the ASEAN Regional Forum, which Michael viewed as being only limited in their effectiveness; maritime security and its management, a little studied, but highly important, aspect of Southeast Asian Security, where the interests of China potentially conflict with those of Southeast Asian states; and the making of foreign policy within particular states, where Michael Leifer emphasised the important role of the different worldviews of different states. The book concludes with an overall assessment of Michael Leifer's contribution to the study of Southeast Asian international politics.

"Classic American Popular Song: The Second Half-Century, 1950-2000" addresses the question: "What happened to American popular song after 1950?" There are numerous books available on the so-called "Golden Age" of popular song, but none that follow the development of popular song styles in the second half of the 20th century. While 1950 is seen as the "end of an era," the tap of popular song creation hardly ran dry after that date. Many of the classic songwriters continued to work through the following decades: Porter was active until 1958; Rodgers until the later 1970s; Arlen until 1976. Some of the greatest lyricists of the classic era continued to do outstanding and successful work: Johnny Mercer and Dorothy Fields, for example, continued to produce lyrics through the early '70s. These works could be explained as simply the Golden Age's "last stand," a refusal of major figures to give in to a new reality. But then, how can we explain the outstanding careers of Frank Loesser, Cy Coleman, Jerry Herman, Jerry Bock and Sheldon Harnick, Fred Kander and John Ebb, Jule Styne, Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe, and several other major figures? Where did Stephen Sondheim come from?
For anyone interested in the development of American popular song -- and its survival -- this book will make fascinating reading.

Post-war Japan offers a compelling case study of national apologies for past wrongdoings. Actions of the Japanese Army and government during the Second World War caused enormous suffering and distress throughout Asia, leaving a legacy of resentment and distrust. Beginning in the mid-1980s, apology for wartime actions became a recurring issue for Japan. Repeated calls for apology from various quarters as well as repeated apologies by Japanese officials provide a rich source for the study of national apology and how public apology discourse develops over time. Unlike most rhetorical studies that focus on apologia in the broad sense, this study concentrates on the strategy of the 'true apology.' The study combines rhetorical, sociological and historical approaches to address multiple examples of Japanese apology during the period 1984 to 1995. The author suggests that motive is more complex than the 'image restoration' theory that is prevalent in rhetorical theory. More specifically, this study emphasizes repair of relationships, self-reflection leading to a 'new' improved identity and affirmation of moral principle as reasons for apology.

Ethnomusicology: A Contemporary Reader is designed to supplement a textbook for an introductory course in ethnomusicology. It offers a cross section of the best new writing in the field from the last 15-20 years. Many instructors supplement textbook readings and listening assignments with scholarly articles that provide more in-depth information on geographic regions and topics and introduce issues that can facilitate class or small group discussion. These sources serve other purposes as well: they exemplify research technique and format and serve as models for the use of academic language, and collectively they can also illustrate the range of ethnographic method and analytical style in the discipline of ethnomusicology. Ethnomusicology: A Contemporary Reader serves as a basic introduction to the best writing in the field for students, professors, and music professionals. It is perfect for both introductory and upper level courses in world music.

The glossy guide book image of Bali is of a timeless paradise whose people are devoutly religious and artistically gifted. However, a hundred years of colonialism, war and Indonesian independence, and tourism have produced both modernizing changes and created an image of Bali as 'traditional'.

Incorporating up-to-date ethnographic field work the book investigates the myriad of ways in which the Balinese has responded to the influx of outside influence. The book focuses on the fascinating interrelationship between tourism, economy, culture and religion in Bali, painting a twenty-first century picture of the Balinese. In documenting these diverse changes Howe critically assesses some of the work of Bali's most famous ethnographer, Clifford Geertz and demonstrates the importance of a historically grounded and broadly contextualized approach to the analysis of a complex society.

Analyzing the complex interaction between the material and immaterial aspects of new digital technologies, this book draws upon a mix of theoretical approaches (including sociology, media theory, cultural studies and technological philosophy), to suggest that the 'Matrix' of science fiction and Hollywood is simply an extreme example of how contemporary technological society enframes and conditions its citizens. Arranged in two parts, the book covers: theorizing the Im/Material Matrix living in the Digital Matrix. Providing a novel perspective on on-going digital developments by using both the work of current thinkers and that of past theorists not normally associated with digital issues, it gives a fresh insight into the roots and causes of the social matrix behind the digital one of popular imagination. The authors highlight the way we should be concerned by the power of the digital to undermine physical reality, but also explore the potential the digital has for alternative, empowering social uses. The book's central point is to impress upon the reader that the digital does indeed matter. It includes a pessimistic interpretation of technological change, and adds a substantial historical perspective to the often excessively topical focus of much existing cyberstudies literature making it an important volume for students and researchers in this field.

Journalism and Democracy in Asia addresses key issues of freedom, democracy, citizenship, openness and journalism in contemporary Asia, looking especially at China, Japan, Korea, Indonesia, the Philippines and India. The authors take varying approaches to questions of democracy, whilst also considering journalism in print, radio and new media, in relation to such questions as the role of social, political and economic liberalization in bringing about a blooming of the media, the relationship between the media and the development of democracy and civil society, and how journalism copes under authoritarian rule.

With contributions from highly regarded experts in the region examining a broad range of issues from across Asia, this book will be of high interest to students and scholars in political communications, journalism and mass communication and Asian studies.

Prince Cuong De, pretender to the Vietnamese throne, was an important and interesting figure in Vietnamese and Asian history, but one that has been 'written out' of Vietnam's history by the communists, and ignored by non-communists. This book, based on extensive original research, including French national archives, where many new, important documents have recently been discovered, traces the life of Cuong De. It explores Cuong De's links to key Japanese leaders, and how he campaigned, in Japan and elsewhere, for his cause. The book provides many fascinating insights on a wide range of historical developments in Asia from the perspective of an interesting and undeservedly neglected figure.

This book moves away from the common belief that Japan's international relations are firmly the preserve of the national government in Japan's highly centralised political system. Examining examples of subnational governments (SNGs) across Japan the book uncovers a significant and generally unrecognised development in Japanese politics: SNGs are ever more dynamic international actors as national borders 'weaken' across the world. Exploring what Japanese SNGs do, where they do it, and why, the book considers the implications of these factors for Japan's international relations and domestic politics.

By bringing to light the scope and consequences of the international actions of Japan's SNGs, this book provides a more accurate and nuanced understanding of the country's foreign policy, at a time when it is pursuing a broader and more active profile in international affairs.

This volume examines Singapore's culture of control, exploring the city-state's colonial heritage as well as the forces that have helped to mould its current social landscape. Taking a comparative approach, Trocki demonstrates the links between Singapore's colonial past and independent present, focusing on the development of indigenous social and political movements. In particular, the book examines the efforts of Lee Yew Kuan, leader of the People's Action Party from 1959 until 1990, to produce major economic and social transformation. Trocki discusses how Singapore became a workers paradise, but what the city gained in material advancement it paid for in intellectual and cultural sterility. Based on the latest research, Singapore addresses the question of control in one of the most prosperous and dynamic economies in the world, providing a compelling history of post-colonial Singapore.

The Korean language is ranked 11th among the languages in the world in terms of numbers of speakers. Korean is now studied as an important foreign language in an increasing number of countries. This book provides a good overview of the language in a readable way without neglecting important structural aspects of the language. Furthermore, the book explains geographical, historical, social and cultural context of the language.
This book provides a general description of the Korean language by highlighting important structural aspects of the language, whilst keeping technical details to a minimum. It situates the Korean language in its geographical, historical, social and cultural context so that readers can gain a good understanding of its speakers and the environment in which it is used. Covering a wide range of topics on Korean including its genetic affiliation, historical development, sound patterns, writing systems, vocabulary, grammar and discourse, the book also illuminates differences between North and South Korean, and related language planning and policy issues. "The Korean Language" is designed to be accessible primarily to English-speaking learners of Korean and scholars working in disciplines other than linguistics, although it also serves as a useful introduction for general linguists. The book will complement Korean language textbooks used in the classroom. It will be welcomed not only by readers with a wider interest in Korean studies, but also by Asian specialists in general. Moreover it will be valuable reading for so-called heritage learners of Korean.)

Ethnomusicology: A Contemporary Reader is designed to supplement a textbook for an introductory course in ethnomusicology. It offers a cross section of the best new writing in the field from the last 15-20 years. Many instructors supplement textbook readings and listening assignments with scholarly articles that provide more in-depth information on geographic regions and topics and introduce issues that can facilitate class or small group discussion. These sources serve other purposes as well: they exemplify research technique and format and serve as models for the use of academic language, and collectively they can also illustrate the range of ethnographic method and analytical style in the discipline of ethnomusicology. Ethnomusicology: A Contemporary Reader serves as a basic introduction to the best writing in the field for students, professors, and music professionals. It is perfect for both introductory and upper level courses in world music.

During the period 1965 to 1990 East Asia was the world's fastest growing region. Economic Development in Pacific Asia provides illuminating, non-technical perspectives on key facets of the region's economies. The text focuses on the eight countries which accounted for the majority of the economic growth: Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Republic of Korea, Indonesia, Malaysia, Singapore and Thailand. Empirical evidence is used to provide a revealing, multi-dimensional statistical profile of the countries as well as the region as a whole. Rather than present a statistical history of each country, the text highlights the relative performance in terms of the variables which are studied within each chapter. Akhand and Gupta examine a range of popular topics including: the relative role of factors accumulation versus technology change factor price distribution and employment growth, poverty and income distribution the Asian Crisis and corruption. In addition, the book examines topics rarely covered in the current economics literature such as urbanization, the gender gap and the digital divide. It provides an accessible and wide ranging assessment of the existing evidence and current arguments on East Asian economic development, and is a valuable addition to economists, policy makers and those interested in Asian economic affairs.

This study of the comparative ethics of war seeks to open a discussion about whether there are universal standards in the ideologies of warfare between the major religious traditions of the world. The project looks at the ideology of war in the major Asian religious traditions. Does our exploration of the ethics of war in Asian civilizations have any bearing on the pressing questions of armed conflict today? It has become clear that Islamic ethics and law contain sophisticated concepts of both just war (jus ad bellum) and just warfare (jus in bello). The contributions of this work explore the central issues of just war in non-Western religious traditions. This new approach will be of interest to scholars of religion and war studies. John Kelsay, State University, Florida, USA Norman Solomon, University of Oxford, UK Torkel Brekke, University of Oslo, Norway Tessa Bartholomeusz, State Universit

Analyzing the complex interaction between the material and immaterial aspects of new digital technologies, this book draws upon a mix of theoretical approaches (including sociology, media theory, cultural studies and technological philosophy), to suggest that the 'Matrix' of science fiction and Hollywood is simply an extreme example of how contemporary technological society enframes and conditions its citizens. Arranged in two parts, the book covers: theorizing the Im/Material Matrix living in the Digital Matrix. Providing a novel perspective on on-going digital developments by using both the work of current thinkers and that of past theorists not normally associated with digital issues, it gives a fresh insight into the roots and causes of the social matrix behind the digital one of popular imagination. The authors highlight the way we should be concerned by the power of the digital to undermine physical reality, but also explore the potential the digital has for alternative, empowering social uses. The book's central point is to impress upon the reader that the digital does indeed matter. It includes a pessimistic interpretation of technological change, and adds a substantial historical perspective to the often excessively topical focus of much existing cyberstudies literature making it an important volume for students and researchers in this field.

Laos - the Lao People's Democratic Republic - in one of the least understood and studied countries of Asia. Its development trajectory is also one of the most interesting, as it moves from state, or perhaps more appropriately, subsistence, to market, at the same time as finding itself in a key geographical position in the fast-changing southeast Asian region, where, with boundaries more permeable, and new patterns of spatial integration forming, a new Greater Mekong sub-region is emerging. Based on extensive original research, this book, unlike others on Laos which concentrate on the macroeconomic picture, assesses how economic transition and marketization are being translated into progress (or not) at the local level, and at the resulting impact on poverty, inequality and livelihoods. It concludes that the process of transition in fact contributes to the growth of poverty for some people, and shows how people manage to cope in very unfavorable circumstances.

Korea is currently witnessing huge social change with unprecedented divorce rates and the disintegration of the traditional family system. Fusing audience research and ethnography, "Women, Television and Everyday Life in Korea" presents a compelling account of women's changing lives and identities in relation to the impact of the most popular media culture in everyday life-television.
Within the historically-specific social conditions of Korean modernization Kim analyses how Korean women of varying age and class groups cope with the new environment of changing economical structures and social relations. The central arguments presented revolve around the revelatory and self-reflexive nature of TV talk and its function as a form of empowerment. The book argues that television is an important resource for women, stimulating them to research their own lives and identities. Kim reveals Korean women as creative, energetic, and critical audiences in their responses to evolving modernity and the impact of the West.
Based on original empirical research, "Women, Television and Everyday Life in" "Korea" explores the hopes, aspirations, frustrations and dilemmas of Korean women as they try to cope with life beyond traditional grounds. Going beyond the traditional Anglo-American view of media and culture, this text will appeal to both Korean area studies and media and communications studies.