191 ★ SAVE EAST ASIAN STUDIES AT U of T!
The Dean of Arts & Science at University of Toronto (my University) is planning on shutting down a bunch of cultural studies programs, including the HUGE department of East Asian Studies (my major). His reasons for this are most likely to cut costs.
This is not a department that has half empty classes, we pack the Auditorium every Monday night during my Pre-Modern East Asia lecture, and in the Japanese tutorial I visited today all the seats were full. The room was CRAMMED. So clearly this is not a subject that is generating no interest.
The idea of closing down the East Asian Studies department and getting rid of most of it's courses in favour of a School of Languages is ridiculous. First of all, East Asian studies is not just about learning Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Sanskrit. It is about learning and discovering the history and culture of these countries. Which is NOT a thin volume I can tell you.
I also think it's wrong to count Asia out so to speak especially when I live in Toronto, it is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. It is friendly to everyone and everyone belongs here, they can share their religion and culture and beliefs here. Yet you can only learn about Western history and culture in your University? Especially with the HUGE population of Koreans at U of T. Not only that, but three of the top 5 economies today are Asian, just look at China, and its recent development and growth. Look at the Korean entertainment industry and how mainstream it's becoming even in English speaking countries. It seems like something very small to have an artist like Wonder Girls come to Canada, but when you actually consider it, it's a huge deal in globalization of culture.
The main point here is, they offered a program as a Major and a Specialist, and I study hard to get into their University, I chose them over all other Universities simply BECAUSE of this program, only to find out they will be cancelling it. Like a speaker today said, that just goes to show how much they care about the degree they are giving you and how much they respect the subject you are learning when they're willing to give you a degree for a program that will no longer exist after this summer.
Angry ranting aside, please, PLEASE take the time to sign the petition, we will be presenting the signatures at the Town Hall meeting this Friday. It's only the first step in a whole bunch of things you can do, which includes sending letters and emails if you wish. I can't force you guys to do anything, but you're my flist and I know how important East Asian culture is to all of us, so please think of this as protecting something you love and protecting the rights of you and others to learn about what you love and share common interests. You can't belittle and shove aside the history of four entire nations. Most of all don't let the education system fall back into the horrible "West is best" train of thought.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE.
(Also if you do support, please let me know! I want to be able to thank you all individually for helping me out.) I will be attending the Town Hall meetings held this week, as well as visiting my old school to try and get the help of my past teachers, and just spreading the word through flyers on campus.
If you are a U of T Student!!!
Please come to the Town Hall meeting!
Thursday, Sept 23rd AND Monday, Sept 27th.
4:00PM-6:00PM
OISE AUDITORIUM
We need bodies! We need people to stand up and voice their ideas and opinions, no matter how large or small!!
I'll be leaving this entry as public so please feel free to share it with people and get them to sign the petition too. It's very important especially if you are someone who is considering becoming an East Asian Studies major in the future, let your thoughts be heard!
This is not a department that has half empty classes, we pack the Auditorium every Monday night during my Pre-Modern East Asia lecture, and in the Japanese tutorial I visited today all the seats were full. The room was CRAMMED. So clearly this is not a subject that is generating no interest.
The idea of closing down the East Asian Studies department and getting rid of most of it's courses in favour of a School of Languages is ridiculous. First of all, East Asian studies is not just about learning Chinese, Korean, Japanese or Sanskrit. It is about learning and discovering the history and culture of these countries. Which is NOT a thin volume I can tell you.
I also think it's wrong to count Asia out so to speak especially when I live in Toronto, it is one of the most multi-cultural cities in the world. It is friendly to everyone and everyone belongs here, they can share their religion and culture and beliefs here. Yet you can only learn about Western history and culture in your University? Especially with the HUGE population of Koreans at U of T. Not only that, but three of the top 5 economies today are Asian, just look at China, and its recent development and growth. Look at the Korean entertainment industry and how mainstream it's becoming even in English speaking countries. It seems like something very small to have an artist like Wonder Girls come to Canada, but when you actually consider it, it's a huge deal in globalization of culture.
The main point here is, they offered a program as a Major and a Specialist, and I study hard to get into their University, I chose them over all other Universities simply BECAUSE of this program, only to find out they will be cancelling it. Like a speaker today said, that just goes to show how much they care about the degree they are giving you and how much they respect the subject you are learning when they're willing to give you a degree for a program that will no longer exist after this summer.
Angry ranting aside, please, PLEASE take the time to sign the petition, we will be presenting the signatures at the Town Hall meeting this Friday. It's only the first step in a whole bunch of things you can do, which includes sending letters and emails if you wish. I can't force you guys to do anything, but you're my flist and I know how important East Asian culture is to all of us, so please think of this as protecting something you love and protecting the rights of you and others to learn about what you love and share common interests. You can't belittle and shove aside the history of four entire nations. Most of all don't let the education system fall back into the horrible "West is best" train of thought.
SIGN THE PETITION HERE.
(Also if you do support, please let me know! I want to be able to thank you all individually for helping me out.) I will be attending the Town Hall meetings held this week, as well as visiting my old school to try and get the help of my past teachers, and just spreading the word through flyers on campus.
If you are a U of T Student!!!
Please come to the Town Hall meeting!
Thursday, Sept 23rd AND Monday, Sept 27th.
4:00PM-6:00PM
OISE AUDITORIUM
We need bodies! We need people to stand up and voice their ideas and opinions, no matter how large or small!!
I'll be leaving this entry as public so please feel free to share it with people and get them to sign the petition too. It's very important especially if you are someone who is considering becoming an East Asian Studies major in the future, let your thoughts be heard!