East Asian and Arabic Studies Research Unit, Antwerp Campuses

East Asian and Arabic Studies

Our worldview is often Eurocentric, reducing other regions and cultures to exotic stereotypes: the Middle East is controlled by radical Islamists; China celebrates the Year of the Rooster; the Japanese are quite literally working themselves to death. Researchers of the East Asian and Arabic Studies Research Unit reveal the diversity that lurks behind these stereotypes. By studying diverse aspects of their regions, they contextualize our western outlook and knowledge.

Arabic Studies, Japanese Studies, Sinology and Korean Studies conduct broad-ranging and in-depth, multidisciplinary research. Through their familiarity with the religious and social history of the Middle East, the Arabic Studies researchers present a more nuanced view of the region, providing insight into the appeal of Islamic State, among other things. The Japanologists cast a new light on the diverse culture of one of the fastest-growing economies in the world. Their research topics range from Japanese jurisprudence to manga. The sinologists not only study the present-day influence of Chinese philosophy, but also intercultural contacts and Chinese economic thought. The newly established Center for Korean Studies, finally, examines all aspects of Korean society: language, politics, economy.

Researchers in Arabic Studies, Japanese Studies, Sinology and Korean Studies put European thinking into perspective by expanding the scope and methodological approaches of the disciplinary frameworks they adopt. Moreover, their understanding of the languages and areas they study can be of great value to other researchers and companies with an interest in Middle East, China, Japan or Korea.