Gerien-Chen, James

Email: jg3035@columbia.edu
Field: East Asia
Advisor: Kim Brandt
Year: 2012

James Gerien-Chen is a second year PhD student studying the history of modern Japan. He is especially interested in the intellectual and cultural history of early twentieth century Japan and colonial Taiwan, and Japanese imperialism in Taiwan, south China, and the South Seas (Nanyō). His current research interests focus on the development of anthropology, ethnography, biomedicine, and literature concomitant with Japanese southward imperial expansion. He is also pursuing a certificate in Comparative Literature.

James graduated from Duke in 2011 with an A.B. in History and Asian and Middle Eastern Studies. Before coming to Columbia he taught middle school history. His graduate studies are also supported by a Beinecke Fellowship, awarded in 2010. For the 2013-14 school year, he is the History-East Asia representative for the GHA and will convene the Japanese history study group (benkyōkai). Prospective graduate students interested in Japanese history at Columbia are highly encouraged to contact him.