[KS] forming a Korean forum within the MLA (update)

[Michael Pettid]

Hello all,

I, for one, find it quite difficult to support an organization such as the MLA that has never given us any recognition for so many years.  20 some odd years into my career, they suddenly need us? And one section for Korean versus three for Chinese and two for Japanese?  We don't need this sort of marginalization.  


No thanks.

Michael 


Michael J. Pettid
Professor of Premodern Korean Studies
Department of Asian and Asian American Studies
Director, Translation, Research and Instruction Program
Binghamton University
607.777.3862


On Monday, June 2, 2014 9:37 PM, Henry Em <henryem at gmail.com> wrote:
 


Dear colleagues, 

I am writing with an update. Twenty-seven scholars of Korean and Japanese literature have now signed the petition for the formation of a Korean (Language, Literature, and Culture) forum within the MLA. 

It has to be said that the MLA commons website is not easy to navigate. I think you first have to become a member of MLA: http://www.mla.org/join_new_intro

then you go to the MLA Commons: 
http://commons.mla.org/groups/prospective-forum-llc-korean/



- join the Korean forum, and then click on the petitions thread

If you get this far, may I suggest that you also sign the petitions for the formation of Japanese, Chinese, and East Asian groups? 

Some supporters of the Korean forum include Michael Bourdaghs (Chicago), Yukiko Hanawa (NYU), and Michael Cronin (College of William and Mary) -- all scholars of Japanese Literature. 

If I were to appeal to "our" self-interest, it would be to "self-interest properly understood" -- i.e. our common welfare. The MLA would be a much more interesting place with Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and East Asia groups, all very vibrant. And it turns out that the Korean forum has more signatories than Chinese or Japanese. So, we are in a position to help establish the other groups within the MLA.  

Seven more signatures are needed, to establish the Korean forum in the MLA. 

Henry



On Sun, Jun 1, 2014 at 4:07 PM, Henry Em <henryem at gmail.com> wrote:

Dear colleagues, 
>
>
>I would like to bring to your attention the (possible) creation of a Korean (Language, Literature, and Culture) forum within the MLA (Modern Language Association). 
>
>
>As you may know, for the first time in decades the MLA is restructuring its division and discussion groups. It will be a significant change, making the MLA significantly less Euro-centric, and more reflective of what and how languages and literatures are taught today. 
>
>
>In order for the Korean LLC forum to be established, at least 35 members must sign the petition, and at least 5 must volunteer for leadership positions. 
>
>
>At present, however, the MLA website shows only 12 signatures. That means 23 more signatures are needed, and the deadline is June 15.  
>
>
>At present the MLA has only 2 East Asia Divisions / Discussion Groups: East Asian before 1900 and East Asian after 1900. With the restructuring, and if enough MLA members sign the petitions, seven East Asian groups will be created:  
>
>
>NEW
>
>
>* CHINESE (under Languages, Literatures, and Cultures): 
>1)
Pre-14th Century Chinese Language and Literature
>
>2)
Ming-Qing Language and Literature 
>3)
Modern / Contemporary Chinese Language and Literature 
> 
>* JAPANESE (under Languages, Literatures, and Cultures):
>1)
Japanese Language and Literature before 1900  
>2) Japanese
Language and Literature after 1900 
> 
>* KOREAN (under Languages, Literatures, and Cultures): 
>1)
Korean 
>
>
>Reconfigured 
>
>
>* East Asian, under the rubric "Asian"  
>
>
>I am finishing my term on the Executive Committee of East Asian Languages and Literatures after 1900 -- don't ask how a historian like me wound up on this Committee -- and it's time for the real scholars of Korean literature to step forward and create the Korean LLC forum. I think this might mean you?   
>
>
>You may have noticed that Chinese has 3 groups, Japanese has 2, and Korean has only 1. The MLA Executive Council will be re-evaluating the structure every 5 years, and at some point (if the Korean forum is vibrant, etc.) the Korean forum should become two groups (before and after 1900). 
>
>
>
>But none of that will happen unless the MLA gets 35 signatures. If you are a member of the MLA, please see instructions below. Or go directly to:
>http://commons.mla.org/groups/prospective-forum-llc-korean/ 
>
>
>
>If you are not a member, please consider becoming a member -- to make Korean literature a vital component within this influential organization. It is a pivotal moment. 
>
>
>Thank you in advance. 
>
>
>
>Henry Em
>
>
>
-- 

Henry Em

Associate Professor, Korean History
Yonsei University Underwood International College
Veritas Hall B, Room 425

Gwahakno 85, Songdo-Dong, Yeonsu-Gu
Incheon 406-840, Korea


Mobile: 82(country code)-(0)10-7232-2626 

Office: 82(country code)-(0)32-363-4153
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