On March 5^th, 2022, ULIS students had a study and exchange session with Professor Michael Herzfeld, from the Department of Anthropology at Harvard University, USA.

The lecture with the theme “Semantic mapping and abstract concepts: Urban beauty and community order in Thai social life” is part of the curriculum of the subject Understanding Asian Community.

During the lesson, Professor Michael Herzfeld – lecturer at Harvard University, USA introduced to ULIS students the concepts of semantic mapping, abstract concepts of beauty and urban community order in Thailand. He asserted that the ‘aesthetic’ from the Thai point of view is very special, class-based and often influenced by Western culture. He also gave real examples of words for beauty, beautiful clothes, beautiful food, beautiful toilet paper, beautiful buildings, etc. in the urban life of Thai people.