Graduate Assistant
Eric Patterson is currently a M.A. student focusing on Chinese Anthropology. He received his B.S from the University of South Carolina in Business Administration with a minor in East Asian Studies. Prior to coming to U of A, he spent three years working for the Fortune 500 company Newell Brands, working in Marketing and Sales. After a time, he decided to follow his passion for East Asian Studies and continue on to higher education. His current research interest is the impact the Chinese New Silk Road Initiative will have on human society in East Asia, researching the environmental impact of the Belt Road Initiative, and the cultural and politcal reinvigoration of Tian Xia (天下). His hobbies are golf, tennis, and gaming.
Currently Teaching
JPN 245 – Japanese Anime and Visual Culture
This course will explore contemporary Japanese society by investigating its colorful, dynamic, and rich output of visual culture. More specifically, we will look at manga, cinematic anime, and items of material culture, illustrating how these examples of popular art teach us about the various aspects of life in Japan.