The 4th KSAA Biennial Conference “Intellectual Engagements with Korea: Diversity in Korean Studies in Australasia”

Australasia, comprising Australia and New Zealand, is a special part of the world, known for its natural beauty and its vibrant population. Korean immigrants now form large communities in both countries, and every year thousands of students from South Korea travel to Australasia for study. At the same time, significant numbers of young people from the region work in South Korea, many of them teaching English, and return home with a deeper understanding of Korea. These trends coincide with Australasia's redefinition of its own cultural identity under the influence of steady globalization. Interest in Korea has grown considerably over the last decade in both Australia and New Zealand, and economic and cultural ties with Korea are continually strengthening. Security issues on the Korean peninsula have long met with an informed and engaged local audience, and Australia and New Zealand have been at the forefront of Western nations in developing ties with North Korea and attempting to help ease geopolitical tensions. All of the above contributes to a positive and exciting environment for Korean Studies in Australasia, where a diverse group of scholars and researchers are bringing innovation and new perspectives to the field.

The Korean Studies Association of Australasia (KSAA), which currently has a membership of some 100 academics and post-graduates, has been the focal point of Korean Studies in the region since it was established in 1994. The KSAA has been holding its biennial conferences since 1999, and the 2005 meeting will be held on July 14-15, 2005 at the University of Auckland in Auckland, New Zealand.

As this will be the first conference in New Zealand organized by the KSAA, we would like to take this opportunity to celebrate and promote Korea and the richness and diversity of Korean Studies itself here in Australasia. We invite paper and panel proposals from established and junior scholars. Proposals from postgraduate students are particularly encouraged. Topics related to Korea from a variety of disciplinary perspectives in the humanities and social sciences, including (but not limited to) history, linguistics, language pedagogy, literature, art, religion, philosophy, anthropology, sociology, political studies, economics, business, and security, are welcome. Special consideration will be given to papers and panels informed by a comparative perspective.

Application due date is February 1, 2005. Please find the “KSAA Conference Application Form” at the web address given below and send it electronically to Dr. Changzoo Song (e-mail address and fax number are also listed below). Selected presenters are expected to submit their papers by June 1, 2005.

Further Details and Inquiries: further details of the conference can be found at the aforementioned website, and all inquiries should be directed to Dr. Hae-Woo Lee at hw.lee@auckland.ac.nz.

Dr. Kyu-Suk Shin
President of the KSAA
Curtin University of Technology
Department of Languages and Intercultural Education
Email: k.s.shin@curtin.edu.au