CALL FOR APPLICATION FOR AN INTERNATIONAL
TRAINING WORKSHOP\/SYMPOSIUM<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Manuscripts, Printed Books and Material Culture
November 7 \u2013 11, 2026, Macau, SAR China<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Co-organized by<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Ricci Institute for Chinese-Western Cultural History at Boston College, U.S.A.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The University of St. Joseph, Macau, SAR, China<\/p>\n\n\n\n
This international training workshop and symposium, co-sponsored by Ricci Institute
for Chinese-Western Cultural History at Boston College and the University of St.
Joseph in Macau, will take place in Macau, SAR China, from November 7\u201311, 2026. It
focuses on the \u201cdecoding\u201d of Western-language manuscripts, printed books, and
material artifacts related to East\u2013West encounters and Christianity in East Asia (16th\u2013
18th centuries, (China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam). Combining public lectures with
hands-on training sessions, the program equips participants to critically read and
interpret complex primary sources. Designed for doctoral candidates, postdoctoral
scholars, and junior faculty based in East Asia, it offers intensive methodological
training in historical and textual analysis. The working language of the program is
English.
Textual Culture: The reading of Western-language manuscripts and rare books
produced in the sixteenth to eighteenth centuries poses many challenges, including
archaic vocabulary and grammar, inconsistencies in spelling, unfamiliar conventions for
abbreviations of letters and\/or entire words, unfamiliar intertextual references, the
difficulty of distinguishing between autographs and fair copies, the cross-contamination
of texts and the introduction of textual errors, additions, and omissions as a result of
copying, editing, and censorship, among others. Moreover, in the case of printed
sources, the diversity of font types, the inclusion of prefaces, dedicatory letters, and
interpolated interpretations of the original texts, translated and\/or abridged editions, as
well as other features of printed works (e.g., colophons, errata corrige, and physical
binding) all require study and analysis.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Material Culture: Recent scholarship has also begun to pay particular attention to non-
textual sources in the study of history, in this case more specifically, the material culture<\/p>\n\n\n\n
that is an expression of the encounter between Christianity and East Asia. Works of art
that are \u201chybrid\u201d in style or otherwise influenced by Western models, produced either
It ;t fi.\u00b7 J;. $J-(
UNIVERSITY OF
SAINT JOSEPH MACAO<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“DECODING” WESTERN SOURCES ON THE
filSTORY OF EAST-WEST ENCOUNTERS & CHRISTIANITY<\/p>\n\n\n\n
in Europe for use in East Asia or in East Asia for local communities, by European
and\/or Asian artists, can be equally difficult to \u201cdecipher\u201d and \u201cinterpret\u201d. Other
historical artifacts (e.g., liturgical objects and vestments, tea bowls, Buddhist objects
secretly adopted for Christian worship, etc. \u2026) also reflect specific historical events,
contexts, and cultural developments.
The program will consist of two components, a symposium and a workshop. The
symposium will include lectures on relevant designated topics by experts in the field
and open to the public. Registration to attend the symposium is required and will be
announced in September 2026. At the same time, the workshop will serve as \u201chands
on\u201d training for Asian scholars who need to develop further their ability to read and
interpret these primary sources for their doctoral studies or to undertake new research
projects. Space is limited and participation in the workshop will be evaluated through
this formal application process. Accepted attendees will take part in training\/decoding
sessions led by experts in the above fields.
Requirements:
1) Current doctoral candidates, postdoctoral scholars, and junior faculty members
in higher educational and research institutions in East Asia (regardless of
citizenship).
2) Demonstrated research and\/or teaching experience in the study of Christianity
in East Asia in philosophy, history, intellectual history, art, language, science,
religious studies, and other subjects in humanities from the 16th to the
18th centuries, especially in utilizing original Western language manuscripts
(NOT translations) in teaching and research;
3) Reading proficiency in at least one European language besides English, such as
Latin, French, Italian, Spanish or Portuguese, etc.;
Documents to be included with applications:
1) A most recent Curriculum Vitae in English;
2) A research synopsis (5 pages) in English that
a) Briefly explains the applicant\u2019s teaching and\/or research experience and
illustrates how primary source materials in other European language(s) during
the 16th \u2013 18th centuries have been employed, including major
problems\/difficulties that the applicant has encountered;
b) Cites one example, such as a letter, report, diary in a European language
other than English produced in the 16th \u2013 18th centuries that has been studied by
the applicant with a brief interpretation. Please attach a copy of the manuscript
(1-2 pages) as a supporting document; or a syllabus that the applicant has used to
teach a class that involves the study of primary manuscript sources during the
above historical period with examples;
c) Explains as concretely as possible how a workshop like the current one may
benefit the applicant\u2019s teaching and research in the future;<\/p>\n\n\n\n
d) Briefly shares a tentative plan in teaching and\/or research that will involve
additional\/new manuscripts from the 16th \u2013 18th centuries in the future.
3) Two up-to-date recommendation letters in English from scholars who are
familiar with the work of the applicant in relation to the use of primary source
manuscripts.
Expenses
The Ricci Institute at Boston College and the University of Saint Joseph will administer
workshop-related expenses for successful applicants as follows:
1) Transportation<\/p>\n\n\n\n
through the morning of November 11, will be provided by the workshop co-
sponsors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Note
Accepted applicants from Mainland China are encouraged to travel by high-speed rail
to Zhuhai for ease of access to the workshop venue.
All approved expenses will be reimbursed upon submission of original, itemized
receipts, in accordance with the travel policies of Boston College and the University of
Saint Joseph. Personal and incidental expenses (e.g., travel insurance, mobile
phone\/SIM cards, data plans, and similar costs) are not eligible for reimbursement.
Medical Insurance
All participants are responsible to arrange and pay for their own valid medical
insurance for the duration of their stay in Macau, China. The pre-purchase of medical
insurance (before arriving in Macau) for the duration of a participant\u2019s stay is
mandatory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Visa
If you are required to apply for a visa or travel permit to enter Macau, your workshop
participation award letter will be considered a formal invitation letter for you to apply
for your visa or travel permit.
Deadline
All required documents should be in English and submitted via email no later than
June 12, 2026 to Prof. Thomas Cai at: thomas.cai@usj.edu.mo, with the subject:
\u201cApplication for the 2026 Macau International Workshop\u201d. Letters from the
recommenders must be sent directly to the above email address by the same deadline.
Inquiries regarding the application and the workshop should also be sent to: Dr.
Xiaoxin Wu at: xiaoxin.wu.2@bc.edu. Not applications will be accepted at this email
address.
Application results will be announced by mid-July 2026.
For more information about the Ricci Institute, Boston College, please visit:
https:\/\/www.bc.edu\/ricci
For more information about the University of St. Joseph in Macau, China, please visit:
https:\/\/www.usj.edu.mo\/en\/<\/p>\n\n\n\n