University hosts Asia conference

The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga will host the third annual Introduction to Asia Conference today in the UTC University Center auditorium.

The conference was established in 2009 as a way to highlight the unique characteristics of Asia and Asian culture to the campus and the community, according to a news release.

The conference will include presentations by leading experts in the fields of anthropology, music, history and geography.

Dr. Zibin Guo, professor of anthropology, will present "The Cultural Metaphor of Tai Chi Movements" at 12:20 p.m. followed by Jooyong Ahn, associate professor of music, who will give a lecture, "Western Music Influence in Korea," at 1 p.m.

Dr. Richard Rice, professor of history and co-director of the Asia Program at UTC, will speak on the arts in Asia in his presentation, "Japanese Visual Arts in the Modern Era" from 1:45 to 2:30 p.m.

Among other events, there will be a panel discussion, "East Asian Education and Its Ramifications for the U.S." at 3:35 p.m. and finish at 4:30 p.m.

The events are free and open to the public.