[KS] Re: Graduate Programs: USA

[J. Palais]

Dear Ms. McGinnis:
	You could apply to the regional MA program in Korean Studies at
the University of Washington.  We have four faculty members in the Korean
field at the present time.  Clark Sorensen, the chairman of the program,
is an anthropologist; Ann Lee and Ik-hwan Ch'oe do Korean literature, and
I teach Korean history.  Send a message to James Donnen (see cc list
above) and ask him for a description of the program and an application
form.
	Sincerely,
		Jim Palais

On Fri, 15 Jan 1999, Hollee McGinnis wrote:

> First I would like to thank all who have responded to my inquiry regarding
> graduate school programs in Korean Studies from the list. As per one
> individuals suggestion I will describe a little more about my interests and
> more specific questions. I also invite people to respond through the list
> as I am sure there are many other interested students who are going through
> the same work of digging up information.
> 
> I graduated from Mount Holyoke College in '94 with a major in American
> Studies. For the past three years I have been active in the intercountry
> adoption community, starting an organization named "also-known-as, inc."
> for adult intercountry adoptees (http://www.akaworld.org).  I am myself
> adopted from Korea and two years ago returned to Korea and met my birth
> family. This past summer I was awarded a scholarship from the Korea Society
> to study at Yonseii University Korean Language Program and now am beginning
> to look for a program in which I can more fully explore my interests in
> Korean history and culture.
> 
> Long term I want to research, write, and teach but I don't feel limited to
> just an academic career. I am considering possibly coupling it with a JD.
> Specifically I would like to explore the cultural history of Korea focusing
> on the Korean diaspora and issues of
> immigration/migration/adoption/identity  to the USA and other countries.
> How have Koreans adapted, adopted, shaped and were shaped by the
> communities in which they were transplanted?  In addition I am interested
> in the cultural clashes resulting from colonialization  and war  and how
> each culture in turn were transformed. I am interested in issues
> surrounding Korean women and orphaned children. I think the time period I
> would focus on would be the 1800s and 1900s but would like to have a better
> understanding of the specialities in the field before I say for sure.
> 
> Admissions
> What are committees in the East Asian Study departments/ Koreanists looking
> for in their candidates? What are recommendations to strengthen an
> application?
> 
> East Asian Studies/Koreanists
> Are their many Asian Americans within East Asian Studies/ History? What is
> the number of women and specifically minority women in the field? Is the
> number of applicants for East Asian studies programs on the rise? What are
> the areas of speciality among Koreanists? Who do you think are the most
> prominate Koreanists and why? (I know this is a subjective question).
> 
> Thank you again for your feedback, suggestions, advise, and candor!!!
> 
> Hollee McGinnis
> 
> 
> 



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