Korean Job Discussion Forums

[yelbley]

I have been considering teaching in South Korea for a year to save some money before going to graduate school. My area of study is Philosophy and my focus is the the progression of Marxist critical theory from German Idealism forward. After reading about the NSL I am a bit worried.

I am in no way using these topics as teaching points in class, I have no plans on translating or distributing texts, and have no desire to get politically involved in anything going on in Korea. I am wondering this: Do I need to worry about possessing Marxist texts and participating in blog discussions on topics such as communism if I am living in Korea?

I guess it would really undermine my work if I were to basically stop studying for a year in order to make some money. Does anyone have experience with this?

[wesharris]

Well since Marxist theory is all well and dead.
you shouldn't have much if any trouble here.
Capitalism be praised .

[jugbandjames]

[bobbyhanlon]

welcome to dave's esl cafe. if you post a question about something for which you require help or advice, you can expect it to generate 5 pages of debate on why america is evil (or not), why korea sucks, or why western women are all jurassic swamp-pigs. also you can expect plenty of scorn and derision over the reason you asked the question.

to try and answer your question: no, you won't have any trouble at all. (presumably) the books are in english, and since they sound intellectual rather than 'smash the system!' type stuff, i'd guess you'd be the only person around who would actually understand their content. and to be honest, nobody will care anyway. you could probably find some arty student types who might be interested in discussing it though.

[.38 Special]

[oldfatfarang]

I woudn't bother bringing any Marxist texts to Korea. Older generations can't speak Englisheeee. Younger generations are materialistic to a degree that will shock your Marxist core.

Believe me, Koreans are simply not interested in this stuff. They are interested in money, money - and money. Further, depending on your age, weight and general 'handsomeness', you may have trouble speaking with any Koreans - young or old. This is a closed society with very rigid views about the 'face of Engish'. Marxism isn't part of their worldview - or their views about English.

Please take these comments with the good intentions they are offered. I have a 300 page Marxian critique door-stop thesis (sitting under my parent's bed). I couldn't image who I could discuss that with here.

Good luck.

[Gaber]

I don't think it would be a problem. This place is a democracy now, not a police state. Just keep it in your room and don't talk about the subject with your students and I can't see any issues arising.
Also, if you're going to be contributing to a blog on the topic, make it one that isn't a waeguk culture blog. We don't need those headlines

[Skippy]

I think you will have no problem posting about communist topics. Maybe just maybe but likely not is that a site you want to go to might be blocked. But if your posting to an English board for mostly other country people the Korean government will really not care.


As to finding some Korean who is interested in talking who knows but I would not rely upon it.

Go Capitalism!

Good Luck.

[yelbley]

Thank you all for your responses (that actually pertained to my question rather than your views, and lack thereof, on Marxism). I was not really concerned with finding other people to talk to about Marxism. I was more concerned with not being able to access contemporary lectures online and being paranoid about having texts and or ordering them online. Thanks again everyone.

[Manuel_the_Bandito]

I doubt more than 10% of Koreans know who Marx is. The political left might be interested if you can work some neo-Nazi pure blood theories into it.

[djsmnc]

[FMPJ]

Will not be a problem. A good friend of mine is working in this area as well as he finishes up his Ph.D in Political Theory at Seoul National Univ.

I've also taught excerpts from Marx in the classroom with no backlash at all.

[ennoncha]

I'm a Marxist. I brought some lit here with me and I've had some sent to me from home. I've talked to other English teachers and eventually my Korean co-teachers about my politics. I participate in online discussions about Marxism. I've had absolutly no problems, not even from my Korean co-teachers. I honestly wouldn't be too worried about it.

[Todd Swanson]

WTF!!!
What the hell do people have against the Marx Brothers?
They were freakin' awesome in my book!!!

[Dixon]

You're confusing South Korea with countries that base their political systems on Marxist political and social theory. Only in those countries, or religious theocracies, are philosophical materials banned. To the degree that a country is a republic based on the respect for individual rights, is to the degree that the citizens are allowed intellectual freedom. So, thank your lucky stars you're moving to a semi-capitalist country rather than a dictatorship heavily influenced by the mongrel philosophy you're studying.