University Daily Kansan / Thursday. December 4. 1986
7
Warsaw professor teaches, learns
Visiting instructor gives view of Japan, Poland
By CRAIG HERRMANN
Paul Karnaze/KΔNSΔN
Mikola Melanowicz is a bit puzzled by U.S. students.
Mikolaj Melanowicz, a visiting professor of history from the University of Warsaw, is teaching in the East Asian studies and history departments at KU this semester. Melanowicz translates Japanese literature into Polish
Melanowicz, an exchange professor from the University of Warsaw in Poland, said recently that his semester in KU's history and East Asian culture and language departments had been very educational, but that he did not like everything he learned.
"Students here, as I'm sure in many other universities in the United States, seem to be uninterested in literature and culture, especially when foreign cultures are concerned," he said.
However, Melanowicz, who has a master's degree in Japanese literature and language and a Ph.D. in French, said out that students were not to blame.
"Society has apparently created attitudes within the students that their university education should be primarily concerned with training for a specific job," he said. "They don't seem to be interested in broadening their general intellectual capabilities."
Melanowicz, 51, has spent more than 30 years studying the cultures of East Asia and has translated much of Japan's finest literature into Polish. During his stay at KU, he is teaching courses in modern Japanese literature and Japanese culture and society.
Later this month, Melanowicz will return home to his wife, Grazyna, from Italy.
"I've enjoyed my stay here, but I'm anxious to get home and submit more translation to the publisher and see my family, too, of course," he said.
Professor Andrew Tsubaki, chairman of the East Asian Languages and Cultures Department, said he thought Melanowicz's stay was as beneficial to the department as to the students.
"Having a Polish scholar who specializes in Japanese and Korean languages and literature is very interesting." he said. "While we were impressed by his deep knowledge of Japanese and Korean, we also learned a lot about the Polish culture as well."
Professor Norman Saul, chairman of the history department, said Melanizo provided his department with a firsthand view of Poland
"Professor Melanowicz was able to tell what is going on in Poland today," Saul said. "That, with the fact that he is so well-trained in
history and society in general, made his visit very worthwhile."
As a boy, Melanowicz had a deep interest in the Orient. As he grew, the desire to learn more about the East Asian cultures grew stronger.
"I was able to read much more, but I still felt I needed more." he said.
He said because very little was written about Japan in Polish, and virtually nothing translated into Polish, he had to learn German.
"When I got into the University of Warsaw, I knew wanted to study Japan," he said. "But there was no Japanese studies program at that time, so I had to study Chinese for a while."
About three years later, he said, a Japanese studies program was developed.
"After I had changed to Japanese studies, my friends all laughed at me," Melanowicz said. He said that at that time, Polish scholars rarely visited Japan, but trips to China were frequent.
Eventually, the situation changed, and more scholars visited Japan.
"For many years, I was virtually commuting between Tokyo and Warsaw," he said with a laugh. "I showed them."
Melanowicz spent five years studying at the Oriental Studies Institute at the University of Warsaw, concentrating on Chinese and Japanese culture.
He said that throughout all his years of study of East Asian cultures, Japanese literature has been his first work, especially 20th century works.
"The literature is very appealing because the everyday-ness of human life is examined," he said. "I think people in all cultures could benefit from reading this type of literature."
In Poland, his translations of Japanese literature into Polish have become very popular among all sectors of society. He credits this popularity to the Poles' curiosity about the people and culture that has created a very technologically advanced society.
"Much of the most popular Japanese literature concerns everyday life of the Japanese," he said. "How these people cope, or fail to cope, with their problems is the focus of much of this literature."
He said relationships in the United States were different from those he was used to.
Melanowicz said that although people at the University have been nice to him, and he has been very busy attending conferences, workshops and
the like, he still feels alone.
"In the United States, people seem more pragmatic in their relationships," he said. "Relationships seem formal, than in Poland and Japan."
He said he thought the daily routines of most people prohibited the formation of intellectual relationships.
"People seem too busy." Melanowicz said. "There aren't many places and times for people to meet and talk."
However, he said that he thought the lectures and forums at KU were excellent and that he wished more students would attend them.
"Even if a person doesn't understand everything being discussed, it's still good to get out and see what kind of people are going on in society," he said.
Melanowicz expressed his deep concern that if students went through universities without questioning their
society, they might lose control of the world around them.
"It is important for individuals to be able to think about and question their society," he said, "especially in a society as technologically advanced as the U.S. is today.
"With too many machines, a person who cannot think and question could lose control and simply become part of the machine. A person should always be morally and intellectually questioning the world."
Melanowicz said that he always tried to challenge his students intellectually.
"I try to avoid presenting them with obvious ideas or themes," he said. "I want my students to be able to think. If they cannot, society will be in trouble.
"If I fear a danger for the future, this is it."
Business students to study in England
Staff writer
By CRAIG HERRMANN
In an effort to expand awareness of international business activities, the School of Business is offering a summer program in England for 1987.
During the seven-week course, 29-30 students can get a first-hand look at England's changing business and economic world. Douglas Houston, director of the summer program, said this week
He said the program was not limited to KU students. Students from accredited colleges and universities who have completed the prerequisites are eligible to apply.
Application deadline for the program is April 1.
"International components have become a very
hot topic in business schools in the '80s." Houston said. "Competition is pushing schools to offer students opportunities to add an international focus to their business educations."
Participants in the KU program will study international marketing and international economics. The
David Shulenberger, associate dean of academic affairs for the school, said that all business students needed knowledge of international business and that the summer program in England was ideal.
"In the late '60s, only about 5 percent of the U.S. gross national product involved international businesses," he said. "Now that number is up to
about 20 percent.
Houston, also an associate professor of business, said the school did not offer the England program last summer because of staffing difficulties. KU offered the program in 1984 and 1985.
Students in the program will study in Manchester and London, and two University of Manchester professors will teach them. Houston said
The program costs $2,000, which covers the students' tuition, books, program-related travel in England, housing and about half of the meals.
In addition, students are responsible for arranging their own travel to England, but Boston said a group travel plan was a possibility. He said round-trip airfare cost about $600.
By a Kansan reporter
Topeka Police Detective Dave Menley said the two youths, ages 14 and 15, drove through at least four road blocks, three in Douglas County, ramming police cars in the 30-minute chase. They reached speeds of more than 100 mph, he said.
Law enforcement officers Monday night arrested two Topeka teenagers in Lawrence for car theft and attempted elusion after a high speed chase from west Topeka to Lawrence. Topeka police reported Tuesday.
The chase ended in a non-injury accident at the intersection of Sixth and Massachusetts streets, when the van hit a curb and two tires blew out.
Scott Baker, Shawnee County deputy sheriff, who arrested one of the teenagers, said the youths tried to continue to drive the van after the tires blew out. Topeka police arrested the other youth.
The ride started in the southwest part of Topeka. The van then headed east out of the city on U.S. Highway 40.
Both are being held at the Shawnee County Youth Center in connection with 23 traffic violations each and were to be charged yesterday.
Police end youths' fun in stolen car
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