Korean Job Discussion Forums

[kimchikowboy]

Real reality,
Perhaps if you spent half as much time researching some worthwhile topic as opposed to collecting clippings, you, too, might be a professor some day.
(Assuming you are not in a library science department, in which case collecting newspaper clippings may be the way to go).
Actually, I just spent the whole day involved in interviews for new professors in my department (not a dept. of English). My job was to evaluate their speaking ability (new faculty are required to demonstrate a capability to teach classes in another language, usually English, but sometimes Japanese). I can assure you, those in the final running for an entry-level assistant professorship all have Ph.D.s, and considerable mastery of the discipline and publications to boot. Today was not an anomaly. I've been doing these interviews for years, for every particular discipline in the College of Business.
Nearly all of our faculty have advanced degrees from abroad (U.S., England, Germany, Japan). Those who have not studied abroad have proven themselves through the renewal process, presenting original research and publications. This is from a supposed third-tier uni out in the sticks. Most work more than the minimum 12 hours stated in my contract (hell, I work more than that) and they maintain outside academic responsibilities as well (leadership posts in professional societies; editorial reviewers of international journals; discipline-related radio shows or newspaper columns; consulting work; etc.) Actually, the only prof in my field that I know who only teaches nine hours is consistently being published in the top academic journals in the field, and hence, bringing in government research funds to his uni (not mine, but the top in the field in Korea, located in Seoul).
In order to supplement your understanding of the higher education system (and please don't label me an apologist with the summary dismissal of argument usually attached to that label -- I know of the problems associated with higher education here) may I suggest that you close your voluminous files collected on the supposed wrongs, turn off your computer, and go out and interact with some of the Korean staff at your university (assuming you are at a university, and not spouting bile because your are forever locked in a hogwon). By talking to some of the people around you I've little doubt that you could supplement your understanding of academic life here much more than through google searches for and Korean newspaper articles about the comings and goings of Korean university life.
Turn off your computer and get out in the sunlight.
(Yes, I know this is a bit of a rant and ramble. It's been a tough week -- and though usually I hold true to the maxim, "Better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to post on Dave's and remove all doubt," I feel in need of a vent. Then again, I usually kill threads, so what does it matter).

[desultude]

[desultude]

By the way, Kimchikowboy, exactly correct on every point.

How's the family?

[Real Reality]

Spouses of foreigners investing $100,000 or more will be allowed to work as professors and investment company executives among others.
By Lee Joo-hee, The Korea Herald (June 15, 2005)
http://www.koreaherald.co.kr/SITE/data/html_dir/2005/06/16/200506160009.asp

Money key to teaching posts
... Nearly one in five said colleges refused to offer them a position if they did not make a donation to the school foundation or development fund. Private universities were reportedly more likely to demand money than public colleges.

More than 100 of the respondents said school officials demanded outright bribes from them. Thirty-three heads of private university foundations, 28 private school professors and 11 presidents of private universities allegedly demanded payment. Almost 40 percent said discrimination based on gender, age, religion and the country where an applicant completed his academic degree was prevalent.
by Bae Young-dae, JoongAng Daily (July 9, 2002)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200207/09/200207090054252629900090409041.html

Income Tax to Be Levied on Bribes
by Jung Sung-ki, Korea Times (April 22, 2005)
http://times.hankooki.com/lpage/nation/200504/kt2005042217230511990.htm

Corrupt professors common, students say
by Baek Il-hyun and Kim Ho-jeong, JoongAng Daily (April 28, 2005)
http://joongangdaily.joins.com/200504/27/200504272214239309900090409041.html

[kimchikowboy]

desultude asked:

[Real Reality]

[kimchikowboy]

Thanks for the invitation, but I'd hate to see myself at a nude beach, though not nearly as much as others would hate to see me there. Plus, I don't want to get sand in my kimchi.

[Gollum]

[mindmetoo]

[coolsage]

For the record, the contract is with 'Foreign Professor'. The name card reads 'Visiting Professor', the implication being that I'm just passing through. I confess to being a dropout, with merely a Master's to my name;however this gig is more than whimsy for me. And when I eventually depart, my successor will no doubt feel the heat as well. I think this goes to the heart as to whether this place, and many others, is truly interested in having a quality English program. I suspect that the answer is no. The turnover rate here is becoming alarmingly high, for a variety of reasons, and inevitably it's the better teachers who'll take a hike, and the misfits who are unemployable anywhere else who will cling to the job by any sycophantic means available.

[ajuma]

Oh yeah...I want to be treated like a Korean professor! I'd have to go to endless meetings, suck up to the boss, endless soju evenings...playing politcs with the other pofs in my department...! Please treat me like a Korean professor! NOT!!!

[JennyJJ]

agree with Ajuma!

Real Reality seems to spend enormous amounts of time researching his "victim" status. Vote with your feet. Move on. Tis a big world out there.

[mindmetoo]