[KS] Vulnerabilities of Korean Studies

Mark Peterson markpeterson at byu.edu
Thu May 15 12:14:54 EDT 2008


Thanks, Frank for pointing out the Asia Source (Asia Society) list of  
"experts".  (You are so good at keeping track of websites and the like!)

I looked at the Asia Society list and -- to my dismay -- found that I  
was not listed.  So, I took a minute and submitted my name and the  
data it asks for.

But in looking at the list, it is obviously self-generated, or self- 
nominated.  If you don't list yourself, no one else will.  As a  
result, the list is quite a mix.  There are only 67 Korean experts and  
it includes people who list several countries of interest.  For  
example, prominent scholars such as Wm. DeBary and Ezra Vogel are  
among the 67.  But prominent figures in our field, such as Gari  
Ledyard, Bruce Cumings, Don Clark, John Duncan, among many, many  
others were NOT listed.  And that was just what I saw in a brief glance.

So, the list is of very limited value.  As it is now.

But while the subject has come up, all of us on this list ought to  
take a minute and sign-up.

Because the list is self-nominated, there are many on the list that  
I've never heard of and some even look suspect, or maybe I should say,  
only tangential claimants of expertise in Korean Studies.  If the  
better-established members of our discipline sign-up it would be a  
better representation than the very poor list that it is now.

Thanks again, Frank, for pointing it out to all of us.

with best regards,
Mark Peterson



On May 15, 2008, at 4:56 AM, Frank Hoffmann wrote:

> Hello Sue-Je, and others:
>
> Just a brief note regarding your "Koreanist database" remark (quoted  
> below).
> The Korea Foundation did create such database a couple of years ago  
> (was also announced here on the list). Here is the link:
> http://www.clickkorea.org/koreanists/
>
> I am not too sure how many scholars updates their own profile there,  
> and I am much less sure if anyone actually is using it, as it is  
> nicely hidden in Internet NeverNeverLand.
>
> The Asia Society also has a simialr database about "Asia Experts:"
> http://www.asiasource.org/experts/ax_mp_01.cfm
>
>
> Best,
> Frank
>
>
>
> ------quote-------
>> Also, I wanted to ask if it was in the Korea Foundation's interest  
>> to create a Koreanist database of some kind.  This listserve is  
>> helpful, but it would be even more helpful to see who's out there,  
>> what they're doing and where they are, how many Korea related  
>> courses there are at their school, and maybe even if they're  
>> heritage or non-heritage scholars, etc.
> -------------------
>
>
>
> -- 
> --------------------------------------
> Frank Hoffmann
> http://koreaweb.ws
>
>





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