Q: What are you writing your dissertation about?
EC: My dissertation aims to explore how the concept and practice of soundscape were transformed and how it contributed to the formation of "public" within cinema and media culture in Japan in the 1920s-1950s.
Q: Why did you choose your area of focus?
EC: My primary focus is Japanese cinema and media as well as public culture. And, I am interested in and attempting to understand 'modernity' in Japan. I believe my project will contribute to understanding a layer of Japanese modernity, by shedding a light on an aspect of sound and the construction (or transformation) of social concept(s).
Q: What is your favorite part about NYU East Asian Studies?
EC: One of my favorite parts, as a grad student in East Asian Studies, is that relevant working/teaching opportunities are given to phd students. Working as a T.A and C.A was always inspiring through interaction with students and it was actually helpful for my research as I learned what I knew and what I needed to know.