Ignorance for Asian Studies
To the Editor:
The administration at Johns Hopkins continues to deny that the history, politics and culture of the Asian people in the Asian region are significant and warranting of education. This is unacceptable. Students of all backgrounds, ethnicities and cultures interested in the subjects in Asia need to mobilize in a unified manner and push the administration to hire new professors. Without student participation and demands, the administration will continue to ignore and deny the education of courses relating to Asia. Those that care about their education and want to see more courses on China, Japan, Korea, Southeast Asia or South Asia, need to voice their disappointment and pursue action.
The administration's policy on hiring Asian scholars is flawed. They do not believe in expanding the amount of slots filled by such professors and only hire when a vacancy occurs. Also, when a professor of such background is hired, he is not a full time professor, but only a visiting scholar.
The department chairs and administration need to be held accountable for their insouciant denials that departments like East Asian Studies deserve funding and assistance. Those in the student body that care about courses relating to Asia need to do more and make their voices and displeasure heard. If the flawed hiring policy and ignorant tone towards Asian courses continue, the status quo will remain the same and changes will not be made. Students need to do more.
Sincerely,
Jeffrey M. Shiu
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