EASC Express

Keita Moore to join the Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures successfully concluded its search for a tenure-track assistant professor of contemporary Japanese literature and culture. Keita Moore, a PhD candidate at the University of California, Santa Barbara, will be joining the department in Autumn 2024. Moore’s research focuses on Japanese pop culture with an emphasis on videogames, gender studies, and cultural studies. He worked as a localizer at Square Enix prior to graduate school and is the co-creator of the website GAMING+. He is currently completing his dissertation “Grand Designs: Videogames, Social Regulation, and the Politics of Wasted Time in Transpacific Japan.”

Welcome, Prof. Moore!

Taeho Kim to present on contemporary South Korean society on April 16

Abstract: 이 발표는 키워드 분석을 통해 현대 한국 사회에 대한 이해를 돕기 위한 것입니다. 이 발표를 통해 한국에서 사용되는 주요 용어와 개념에 대한 조사를 통해 현재 한국의 사회 동향, 문화적 역동성, 그리고 현재 한국의 환경을 정의하는 것들에 대한 통찰력을 제공하고자 합니다. 키워드를 통한 현대 한국 사회에 대한 분석은 사회적 변화, 문화적 변화, 그리고 새로운 도전과 같은 다양한 측면을 포함하며 현재 한국의 다면적인 측면에 대한 포괄적인 이해를 제공합니다. 이 발표는 한국의 진화하는 상황에서 언어, 문화, 사회 간 복잡한 상호 작용에 대한 깊은 이해에도 기여하리라 생각합니다。

This presentation offers an overview of contemporary South Korean society through a keyword analysis. By examining key terms and concepts, it aims to provide insights into the prevailing social trends, cultural dynamics, and issues that define the current landscape. The analysis encompasses various aspects, including societal changes, cultural shifts, and emerging challenges, offering a comprehensive understanding of the multifaceted nature of present-day South Korea. This presentation contributes to a deeper comprehension of the complex interplay between language, culture, and society in the evolving context of South Korea. This presentation discusses the implementation and effects of community service-learning (SL) in the pedagogical context of Korean as a Second/Foreign Language (KSL) at higher institutions in N. America. Specifically, I address the following two questions. 1) How does service-learning help students in Korean classes make connections between their knowledge acquired from class setting and their use of the language in authentic setting? 2) In what ways does service-learning enhance Korean language learners’ socio-cultural awareness and foster their cultural identity?

Hyunjoon Park to present on dating, marriage among Korean Millenials on April 17

Abstract: A distinctive feature of Korean Millennials, who were born after 1980 and entered their 20s in 2000s, is their high levels of educational attainment, the most educated population in the world. Like their counterparts in other parts of the world, Korean Millennials are increasingly delaying and avoiding marriage. However, the trend of retreat from marriage in Korea is so impactful that it has given rise to the term, “sampo generation,” who are giving up three aspects: dating, marriage, and parenthood. In this talk, I discuss why Korean Millennials retrench from dating and marriage, drawing from diverse explanations based on economic, demographic, and cultural factors. Moreover, I present recent survey results showing Korean Millennials’ perceptions and attitudes toward dating and marriage, commenting some possible linkages with their actual dating and marriage behaviors.

Patricia Sieber to give inaugural lecture on April 3

Abstract: It is well-known that China’s theatrical culture matured during the Mongol Yuan dynasty, featuring, among other innovations, a substantial number of female stars known for their ability to successfully perform an array of both male and female roles. In this talk, we will explore how the new mixed-register written language characteristic of playtexts and songs in Mongol China contributed to a leveling of social hierarchies through the fungibility of pronouns. In so doing, such texts and their innovative rhetoric functioned both as a symptom and as a catalyst of an expanded urban ecology of play.

DEALL to present Korean performance on April 5

Kimiko Suzuki to present on kanji instruction, grading at OATJ Spring Workshop on April 6

Abstract: When learning kanji in Japanese language classes, students are usually required to learn the “correct” shapes and stroke order that are exemplified in textbooks, and the boundaries of correctness tend to be fixed. In the real world, it is often acceptable that the shape of kanji deviates from the standard shapes, however, this tolerance often seems narrower, especially in elementary level classes. In addition, some instructors may think that the traditional forms of kanji are incorrect, without considering the historical background of the change from the traditional to new form. This type of kanji instruction will encourage students to accept the information in textbooks and the image of the Japanese language portrayed by instructors as “standard.”

This workshop will be based on classroom activities practiced in a second-year Japanese course that aims to counter-standardize kanji learning. The participants will share their insights on the discrepancy between “the acceptable range of kanji usage outside classroom setting” and “the kanji usage expected of students” while reflecting whether their kanji instruction approach focuses on “correctness.” By doing so, they will be guided to reflect on whether they have consistent boundaries of correctness about kanji both when they are being themselves and when they are playing an instructor role. The workshop will conclude with brainstorming kanji instruction activities that aim “beyond standardization.”

JSO to hold 2024 Spring Festival on April 7

The Japanese Student Organization's annual 春祭り (Haru-matsuri, "Spring Festival"), is a vibrant celebration of Japanese culture. The event will feature a variety of performances from student and outside organizations, both modern and traditional, as well as interactive booths and fun activities.

Upcoming events