Here at UB we have an Asian Studies Program. It's related to history, as Asian Studies is basically a combination of history of Asian nations or peoples, combined with study of their languages and current organization. Note that it's distinct from Asian-American Studies, which tends to be about the immigrant experience in America.

Anyway, I am now tangentally involved with the program, in that the Modern History of Korea class I'm taking is cross-listed in the program, and the professor teaching it is a member of the Program, instead of the History Department.

What the hell's the difference between a Department and a Program? Money, prestige, and administrators.

Anyway, UB is considering elevating the AS Program into a full Department. As part of their consideration, a couple of professors from schools eminent in the AS field are visiting UB and talking to the profs, the administration, and the students. Which is where I come in.

The visitors wanted to talk to current students in the program, but also current students taking classes in the program but that are members of other departments. Free lunch was offered as an inducement. I have a nice long lunch break of Thursdays, so I was all over this.

It turned out to be a nice informal chat. We met in a conference room, two visiting professors and six undergrads. (The session with grad students was later). It wasn't a rubber-stamp kind of thing, where they were here to say "Yes, there should be a full department." We talked about the ups and the downs of program elevation. (Upside: prestige, money, internal advocacy. Downside: paperwork, wasted money, somewhat more difficult to maintain interdisciplinary character.)

There were lots of burritos left over when we wrapped up. Someone had a nice afternoon snack.

Posted by: Boviate at 11:26 PM | No Comments | Add Comment
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