Literature and Language

“Every Practitioner of International Relations Should Major in Literature” (essay)

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Emanuel Pastreich

“Every Practitioner of International Relations Should Major in Literature”

May 14, 2012

The Study of Literature and International Relations

There is a general assumption in the study of international relations that one should have a strong background in economics, development policy or the study of international relations if one wishes to play a significant role in diplomacy or security, whether that role is in government itself, or in the broad range of disciplines related to the global exchanges between NGOs, governments and corporations.

Well, as someone who did not take a single economics class as an undergraduate, and who did not start following international relations with any real seriousness until I was already a professor at University of Illinois, I feel a need to justify why I came to both write about international relations, and to be involved in a variety of activities related to international relations and

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More on why we need to demand more proficiency in Korean language of internationals

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More on why we need to demand more proficiency in Korean language of internationals

Emanuel Pastreich

February 8, 2012

There are several underlying factors behind the reluctance of Koreans to demand high proficiency in Korean from foreigners.

First, the Korean language is viewed primarily as an extension of Korean ethnic identity, and not as an object for objective investigation and evaluation.  Many Koreans think that ethnic Koreans should speak perfect Korean and foreigners are a bit odd if they speak any Korean at all. Most Koreans evaluate ability in

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“The Humanities as a Common Basis for Communication between People” (article in Korean in “The National Economy”)

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Article in Korean on Emanuel’s work at Kyung Hee University and the Asia Institute published in KDI’s Journal “The National Economy. The interview focuses on the importance of the humanities in an age of rapid technological change.

February, 2012

Korea Development Institute “The National Economy”

“The Humanities as a Common Basis for Communication between People”

Korea Development Institute

KDI 한국개발연구원

월간 나라경제

2012년 2월

“인문학은 인간과 인간을 소통하게 하는 하나의 상식”

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“Raise expectations for Korean Language Competency in International Students” (article in Korea IT Times)

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Korea IT Times

Wednesday, January 25th, 2012

Raise expectations for Korean Language Competency in International Students

Emanuel pastreich

http://www.koreaittimes.com/story/19444/raise-expectations-korean-language-competency-international-students

The world has witnessed a remarkable boom in the study of Korean language over the last five years. There are an increasing number of international students enrolling in Korean universities, often taking all their courses in Korean. I taught a course in Korean literature this year at Kyung Hee University and found many students from abroad were enrolled.

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The importance of the humanities

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There has been quite a lively debate in Korea, and throughout the world, concerning the importance of the humanities. I most certainly think the debate is most welcome and most healthy. I fear that often, however, the argument for the humanities is not made in a manner that will be convincing to undergraduates.

The argument tends to be that the humanities are essential for assuring a more complete human experience, for making you spiritually and ethically more satisfied. Although I certainly would not deny that logic, The fact is that most youth do not think in such terms. For most youth the main issue appears to be survival and there is not  much space for living a more perfect spiritual life. 

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Korea’s Unique Tradition of Propriety: Godsend for the Network Society

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Korea’s Unique Tradition of Propriety:  Godsend for the Network Society

Emanuel Pastreich

January 15, 2012

In this age the complex relations developing between individuals outside of the workplace or the family, whether those that develop through on-line communications within organizations, or those found in social networks such Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, are having a profound impact on our society. Connections between people from vastly different backgrounds, who serve at different levels within organizations, can subtly, or bluntly, influence policy.

Almost all actions within social networks are legal, but the practice can be

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