University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
February 17, 2018
Welcome Remarks by Nojin Kwak & David Kang
Panel 1: Korean Youth: Contemporary Challenges in the Educational & Political Domains
Kevin Liu University of Michigan
Paradoxical Advancement: Youth Unemployment Rateas a Result of Societal Norms in South Korea
Jackie Kim University of Southern California
From the Voices of Students: Assessing Public Education in South Korea
Elaine Che University of Southern California
Reevaluating the Disparity: Bullies and Victims in South Korean Schools
Hunter Zhao University of Michigan
“If I Had Enough Free Time I Would Rather Spend It on Myself”: North Korea-Related Activism and Reunification
Discussants: Jiun Bang University of Michigan & Jon Kief University of Southern California
Panel 2: Within & Beyond: Gender and Racial Dynamics
Marisa Fuse University of Southern California
The LA Riots in Retrospect: The Systematic Effects of Racism, Racial Hostility, and Cultural Misunderstanding
Julienne Dawidoff University of Southern California
South Korean Beauty Standards: A History, and an Exploration of Their Understanding and Practices in the United States
Danielle Kim University of Michigan
How Pride, Silence, and a Feedback Loop Constrain South Korea from Uprooting Prostitution
Kawthar Mohamud University of Michigan
Distorted Obsession: Exploring the Stalking Phenomenon in South Korea through the Lens of Celebrity Stalkers
Discussants: Irhe Sohn University of Michigan & Jae Kyun Kim University of Southern California
Panel 3: Domestic Contestation & Resilient Foreign Policy Issues
Sophie Lee University of Michigan
Income Tax Controversy: Capturing Religious Influence on Korean Politics
Sumin Kim University of Southern California
Old Zombies in Farmland?: Making Sense of the Voting Behavior in Seongju, Korea, 2007-2017
Diana Singh University of Southern California
Domestic Movement to International Policy: The 2015 Agreement over Comfort Women in the Context of Regime Consolidation
Ryan Beringer University of Southern California
Staunch Defender to Prime Negotiator: China’s Evolution in the North Korean Dilemma
Jamie Kwong University of Southern California
Cold War and Post-Cold War Rogues: U.S. Foreign Policy Responses to China's and North Korea's Nuclear Weapons Programs
Discussants: Jae Kyun Kim University of Southern California & Jiun Bang University of Michigan
Panel 4: Across Media and National Borders: Imagination, Identity, Critique
Abigail Koh University of Southern California
The Wages of South-Koreanization: Effects of Disciplinary Power in Hanawon Settlement Program
Sooyeon Lee University of Michigan
Vigil to Revolution: Examining Political Engagement in Korean Candlelight Protests
Ursula Collins-Laine University of Southern California
Film Industries in a Global World: Time-Warner and CJ E&M’s Structurally Different Approaches to the International Market
Max Kapur University of Southern California
“Where I Turn Into a Leaf and Empty Myself”: Trees, Transcendence, and the Ecopetic Imagination
Discussants: Irhe Sohn University of Michigan & Jon Kief University of Southern California
The Korean Studies Undergraduate Exchange Conference is a partnership between the University of Michigan Nam Center for Korean Studies and the University of Southern California Korean Studies Institute. It seeks to encourage original research in Korean studies by undergraduate students and foster networking between the two campuses.
Faculty Advisors
Professor Nojin Kwak | University of Michigan
Professor David Kang | University of Southern California
About the Nam Center for Korean Studies
The Nam Center for Korean Studies at the University of Michigan International Institute encourages economic, political, and cultural understanding of Korea in the U-M community and beyond. Through its student and faculty support and ambitious public programming, the center seeks to increase the depth and breadth of resources devoted to Korean studies. The Nam Center provides a historical context for the campus community and public to better understand current social and political challenges in Korea. With a history spanning more than 5,000 years, Korea boasts one of the world’s oldest cultures. The Nam Center works to raise interest and awareness about this fascinating and ancient civilization. The center supports student and faculty research and recruitment, new curriculum development, and an active colloquium series at the university, bringing eminent Korean Studies scholars from around the world to speak on diverse and complex issues. Additionally, the center provides funding for public programs such as art exhibitions, film festivals, lectures, and conferences.
This conference is a partnership between the University of Southern California Korean Studies Institute and the University of Michigan Nam Center for Korean Studies. Activities organized by USC are supported by the Core University Program for Korean Studies through the Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies in the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea (AKS-2014-OLU-2250003) and the Jamison Family Foundation. Activities organized by U-M are supported by the Core University Program for Korean Studies through the Korean Studies Promotion Service of the Academy of Korean Studies in the Ministry of Education of the Republic of Korea (AKS-2016-OLU-2240001).
