North American History-Thoughts on 9/22

Class. First, let me begin by saying how proud I am of you for your thoughtful analyses and discussion of both the documents regarding the Establishment Clause and American Imperialism. For me it was our best class yet.

In regards to religion in America, we are not necessarily finished with our discussion. Religion comes up time and time again in 20th century America. It informs the rhetoric and guides the decisions of many Americans. Freedom to practice religion and freedom from religion are freedoms that are invoked throughout American history. By the mid-20th century religion infiltrates American society and the political system to the extent that the Establishment Clause never stops being relevant or challenged. Even this year a county clerk in Kentucky, who refused to issue marriage license to gay couples because of her religious belief, has started yet another conversation on the subject. 

The government cannot prohibit the practice of a religion or financially help a religious organization.
Likewise, religion is expected to stay out of government. Church's are also tax exempt in America. 

Today's discussion on American Imperialism was fascinating to me. Your analyses and thoughts were incredibly astute. I think it is important to think of American imperialism from the minds of Americans of that time. It is important to try to understand how the politics, race, economics, religion, history, ideology and geography informed people's world view. The people in charge drew on what they knew and thought of the world around them. So what were the people thinking? That is what I hope we can derive from the documents I gave you today.

 Uncle Sam (to his new class in Civilization) Now, children, you've got to learn these lessons whether you want to or not! But just take a look at the class ahead of you, and remember that, in a little while, you will feel as glad to be here as they are! Illus. from Puck, v. 44, no. 1142, (1899 January 25), centerfold. Copyright 1899 by Keppler & Schwarzmann. Link to see larger here!

That's all for now. Don't forget about your quiz on Friday. We will start with that. If you have done your reading, attended the lectures and thought about the topics you will be fine. Please take a moment to understand the major points and themes we have discussed. 

Do-It-Yourself and Writing Outlines-ECI-2 3305

Hello students!

I hope you had a nice weekend and you are having the beginnings of a great week. I spent time this weekend with my family. It was great.

So this week we are talking about DIY (Do-It-Yourself) projects. We've talked about things we pay people to do that we could do if we took the time to try. We've also talked about projects that we do to save money, to have fun or because we want to learn how.

Do you like DIY projects?

I like to try DIY projects to save money and to learn how to do it. Things like fix the bathroom sink or change the oil in my car. These are things I have done to save money and to feel like I am handy! My wife sometimes doesn't appreciate my efforts. One time I failed to fix the sink properly and we had to call a plumber! The job was too complicated for me.

I've tried to fix my sink. I've succeeded and I've also failed. 

What things can you do yourself? Cook, garden, repair your computer, sew? Why do you do it? Are you learning to be self-sufficient? How did you learn? These are questions to consider when preparing for the midterm exam.

Finally, I took a look at your writing outlines today. I am pleased with what I saw. Some of you wrote paragraphs (that were quite good) and some of you followed instructions and made an outline....Like this one:

This student followed instructions and wrote a well-organized outline.

We will soon start writing our first paragraph in Google Drive. But for now find an assignment you want to do and have it completed by Friday. Remember there is QSkillsOnline, the Help Desk or keeping an English Journal. You must complete about an hours worth of homework every week.

Let me know if you have any questions!

The American Dream

Hello History Students!

It has been a great 2 weeks getting to know you and hearing your thoughts on culture. I think with a general understanding of American culture and the American people we will understand the people that emerge and the events that transpire over the 20th century.

We have discussed individualism, freedom, materialism, religion and the pursuit of the American Dream in American society, and we will continue to see how these powerful themes influenced major events and people in American history.

Religion, politics, self-improvement and patriotism all converge in the 20th century.
(Billy Graham and Richard Nixon pictured above.)

In class Friday, we looked at clips from the 1992 film "Far and Away" and discussed the American Dream Data-Based Question (that I handed out on Wednesday). The reason for watching the movie and reading the documents is so we can understand the immigrant experience and how that embodies or rebukes the idea that everyone had the ability to achieve the American Dream at the turn of the 20th century.

Next week, we will look at the documents some more, prepare an essay and begin a more detailed talk on American religion.

I look forward to our conversation.

Have a great weekend!

Welcome English Students! (ECI-2 3305)

Hi class!

It was a pleasure meeting you today. I am very excited to be teaching students from around the world. I look forward to learning more about you and your culture while also teaching you English skills.

Just to remind you of some important details from today.

1. Come to class! Do not lose easy points!

Coming to class is your job as a student! Do your job!

2. Bring your books, paper and a pen to class everyday!

I might look like this if you aren't prepared for class. :)

3. Make an effort in and outside of class.

4. Remember participation and homework are your responsibilities. I do not always assign homework but........

Practice makes perfect!

5. You must submit homework every week.  Such as:
     a. QSkills Online
     b. Help Desk
     c. English Journal.

We will talk more about this Friday.

Good luck this semester!

Welcome to Study of North America II

Hi class! It was a pleasure meeting some of you yesterday. I hope to see everyone else on Friday!

I am very excited to be teaching American History and Culture in the 20th Century. For my master's thesis, I wrote about school integration in the 1950s and 1960s because I have always been fascinated by Brown vs. Board of Education. As a child, I couldn't believe my parents' stories about segregation in their youth. I am intrigued by race relations and how Americans have struggled to come to terms with race and how to live peacefully in one of the most diverse countries in the world.

Brown changed the landscape of schools and cities. American School systems still struggle with how to keep schools diverse. 

We also see America reaching outside of its borders and exporting its goods and politics into the larger world. We will look at how Americans felt about our role in the world and how that role changed over the years. We will also explore how America's role and relationships with other countries have had a profound impact domestically and worldwide.

World War II changed America's sense of self in the world. It also brought massive changes to America.

More broadly, I am also very interested in how the vision of the Founding Fathers has played out over the 20th century. More than 200 years later Americans still follow most of that vision. Over the 20th century America grappled with new ideas and changes in the blueprint that was drawn by the Founding Fathers. We see violence, peace, progress and regression. It is a fascinating century in American history.

The Second Amendment is one of the most controversial amendments in the Constitution.

Please read the first chapter of Understanding American Culture. You will find the chapter in Lecture Support.

See you Friday!

Final Speaking Exam Times

Hello everyone, Here is your exam schedule. Please find your name and make sure the time is okay with you. Let me know if you have any questions.

Good luck!!

Wednesday, June 10, 9:00AM

3391 (Room 316)
9:00 Min Woo-Si Eun
9:10 Yong Chan-Gi Hyeon
9:20 Su Young-Chae Eun
9:30 So Yeon-Ji Hye
9:40 Hye In-Hyun So
9:50 Seong Min-Tae Hoon
10:00 Ji Ho-June Ho
10:10-So Yeon- Su Rin
10:20- Byeong June-Seon Bin
10:30 In Hwan-Gi Tae

0600 (Room 316)
10:40-Ji Won-Do Yeon
10:50 Hae Yoon-Soo Jin
11:00-Myeong Joon-Jin Hong
11:10- Shin Ae-Hae Won
11:20-Kyeong Jin-Jae Wan

1455 (Help Desk) 
1:30- Mi Jin-Chae Young
1:40- Jong Woo-Byeong Cheol
1:50- Dae Hyeon- Gang Seok
2:00- Jae Won-Do Kyun-Chang Seok
2:10- Eun Hye-Ji Won
2:20- Ji Soo- Mu Jin
2:30- June Young- Su Cheol
2:40- Kwan Woo- Woo Seok
2:50- Ho Jung-Dong Young
3:00-Jae Hoon-Chan Young
3:10-Jin Wook-Sung Woon (come to Help Desk or Room 221)

0600 (Help Desk)
3:20-Hyun Han-Dae Gwan

Thursday, June 11, 1:30PM

1727 (Room 320)

1:20- Hyun Min-Sae Ho

1:30-On Yoo-Jang

1:40- Hyo Duck-Hyun Wook

1:50-Son Hyeong-Yea Jin

2:00- Ha Rang-Seung Jae

2:10- Gyeongju-Ji Soo

2:20-Jae Keun-Mi Hye

2:30-Min Ho-Jong Hyeok

2:40- Do Yeon-Dan Hee

2:50- Won Ho-So Yeon

3:00- Yea Ji- Ji Hyun

2609 (Room 320)

3:30- Seung Kee-Sun Hae

3:40-Dae Hoon-Jae Young

3:50- Jin Young- Da Bin

4:00- Ji Hyeon-In Sook

4:10- Ji Soo-Yea Rin

4:20- Nam Gyeong-Hyun Jeong

4:30- Hae Ju-Yu Na

4:40- Min Jeong- Hae Jeong

4:50- Ga Eun-In Gyeong

5:00-Tae Geun-Jong Ho-Sung Hyun

Friday, June 12, 9AM

0600 (Room 316)

9:00-Do Yeon (French)-Sae Mi

9:10-Joon Young-Ha Eun

9:20-Hyun Wook-Chae Rin

9:30-Do Hee-Ho Sang

1578 (Room 316)

9:50- Kang Tae- Ji Hwan

10:00-Seung Min-Myeong Cheol

10:10-Ho Jung-Ji Hye

10:20-Jong Won-Jeung Ho

10:30- Yu Jin-Sang Jin

10:40-Yong Hee-Soo Min

10:50-Woo Jae-Sang Dong

11:00-Seong Yeon-Chang Hwan

11:10-Ye Jin-Yu Jeong-Su Bin

11:20-Min Joon-In Mo

11:30- Dong Hoon-Do Hoon

North American History 3456- 1:10-2:00 (Room 208)

Gathering Sources and Starting Your Research Paper

Now comes the time where you need to be looking at books, journals, newspapers, the internet, textbooks and anything else that might help you with your research paper. Please start now! If you start reading and taking notes it will make your time writing so much easier. 

These days one easy way to find primary sources online is simply to Google: 

"Primary Sources on <your topic>" There is a lot that has been put online by others. I also encourage you to use Yeungnam's Library. Libraries can be very helpful and inspiring!

The whole idea of this research paper is for you to find a topic that you are interested in and then ask a question about it. Think about the essay questions you answered at midterm and try to make one for yourself. You will then use the next few weeks to research that question, find material that support your idea and then write about it. I want to see that you spent the time to research, think, write and properly cite all of your sources. 

For now, research and take notes. When you are ready start writing. I want to see some writing by May 22nd. Your paper should not be completed, but you should be beginning your paper. 

Let me know if you have any questions. I am in C02-221. Contact me first to set up a time so I am sure to be in my office.

Good luck!