I started teaching at Washburn Univ. since 2006. My teaching includes SO304 The Family, SO310 Social Class in the U.S., SO316 Japan & East Asia (Fall 26), 319 Food & Culture (Spring 27), and SO300 K-pop & Beyond (Fall 28). I also lead a special course, study abroad programs to Japan & Korea, in rotation (tentatively K-program in 2027 & J-program in 2028). My research involves demographic changes in both the U.S. and East Asia, food trends, and leisure activities, and inequality (running an annual diaper drive as well). My recent research explores a new K-food trend of Shin Ramyun and a culture of sento in Japan.
In addition to teaching and research, I do organize 3-4 cultural events on campus every semester. At Washburn, I always feel like I am the Asia since we do not have much diversity on campus so I have tried to hold numerous on-campus events. My mission is very simple: I want my students to get exposed to different cultures. I am well aware that I could be the first and/or the last window to different cultures, especially East Asian culture, to many Washburn students. I want my students to utilize me and my cultural events as a stepping stone to experiencing global cultures. For example, this semester (Fall 26), I will plan to hold the Lunar Mid-Autumn Festival on 9/25 and the very first Shin Ramyun Festival on 10/14 (I am currently brainstorming this event.) along with two more cultural events.
I am always excited about a new semester because I could demonstrate how sociology can help you understand yourself better. Sociology can be a useful framework to make sense of your mundane life since it examines how the social world influences the way you think, feel, and act. Please take a look at the pictures below to learn more about me. If you have any questions about Sociology, East Asia, and Studying Abroad, please email me at sangyoub.park@washburn.edu.
Since we had a successful study abroad program to Korea in the spring of 2024 and 2025 (traveling portion in summer), we are doing another study abroad program to Korea next year (tentatively, 2027 Explore Korea - and 2027 Explore Japan). The program will be brimming with a wide range of exciting activities. If you like to learn more about the 2027 Explore Korea Program, please click the link here - 2027 Explore Korea. And if you like to learn about Explore Japan, please click here - 2028 Explore Japan - Space for all my study abroad programs is limited. So, if you're interested, please let me know ASAP.
My goal for this semester is to bring more K-culture on campus. I would like to work on K-festival@Washburn with my students in October (tentatively 10/09). At the K-festival, students will have the opportunity to play K-games including honeycomb and flipping cards along with tasting K-food (Fall 2024).
I also made short documentaries which are related to sociology. Here's the preview of my very first documentary, which was made in 2016. The film was displayed at a KC's local film festival!! And my research was on NPR in 2016. Please enjoy reading my story on Shake Shack Burger Fever in Korea. This story is a nice addition to McDonald's in East Asia by James Watson.
In addition, I will be working on my research projects including multicultural towns in Korea & Japan and migrant workers in Korea & Japan.
If you have any questions about sociology, East Asia (China, Japan, Korea), or study abroad programs to Japan and Korea, please contact me at sangyoub.park@washburn.edu. And please click links below to learn more about me.