Jeffrey DymProfessor of History

Sacramento State University

“The Value of Video Scholarship andFrench Colonial Architecture”

Center for Khmer StudiesJuly 26, 2013

Who am I?

And how did I get here?

Today is your lucky day because you are in the presence of one of the

world’s leading experts on....

Japanese Silent Film Narration

Sacramento State

December 2006-April 2007Fulbright Research Scholar in Japan

Researching kamishibai (Japanese Paper Plays)

Benshi, Silent Film Narrators

Asian Educational Media Service( AEMS)

2008 Documentary Digital Video Workshop

Began taking classes at a Community College while simultaneously researching and recording parts for two videos on Kamishibai

My “High School Projects”

Okonomiyaki in 60 seconds

February 25, 2010-July 26, 2013

453 views

Asia 140/History 140 Modern East Asian Cinema

May 4, 2010-July 26, 2013

619 views

Equipment

My “College Projects”

Kamishibai in the classroom

September 13, 2010-July 26, 2013

4341 views

What is Kamishibai?

September 13, 2010-July 26, 2013

20,392 views

Student Assignments

My Master’s Thesis(My M.A.)

Die for Japan: Wartime Propaganda Kamishibai

January 22, 2012-July 26, 2013

5,694 views

My Second Master’s??My Ph.D.???

French Colonial Architecture in Phnom Penh

The Value of Video Scholarship&

French Colonial Architecture in Phnom Penh

Why study colonial cities?

Michael G. Vann, Ph.D.California State University,

Sacramento

Cultural Heritage

• Appreciation of architecture

• Understanding colonial legacy in urban planning

• Knowledge of what city looked like in different points in history

• Under significant pressure and threat

Joseph Conrad’s The Heart of Darkness

• “The conquest of the earth, which mostly means the taking it away from those who have a different complexion or slightly flatter noses than ourselves, is not a pretty thing when you look into it too much.”

Troubled History

• Colonial Nostalgia:– “Indo-chic”– Racist colonial era

stereotypes– Ignoring injustices– Glamorizing imperialism

• Nationalist perspective• “Right to forget”

Cities as sites for critical empire studies

• Confined spaces• Symbolic value• Political centers• Economic centers• Colonial cities as

manifestations of white supremacy

Colonial urbanization creates a number of crises

• Western views of Asian cities• Colonial urbanization a “gift”• Unintended consequences

Colonial cities were powder kegs

• Quarter system an affront• Display of white racial

power

Colonial Dual Cities

Cities can quickly spin out of control

Cities as centers of political activity• Recruiting• Demonstrations• Acts of violent resistance

Colonial urban health policies

Achievements

Failures

Unfortunate surprises

Colonial planners created the shape of many of today’s major cities

• Jakarta• Singapore• Phnom Penh• Ho Chi Minh City• Manila• Hong Kong• Shanghai

Balancing Act in Colonial Urban History

• Nostalgia versus critical empire studies

• Appreciating colonial architecture is not endorsing colonialism