Zoe Zhang
Why did you decide to do a MA/Major in East Asian Area Studies (EAAS)?
My undergraduate degrees in Anthropology and Studio Arts gave me an instinct for posing questions by drawing on ethnographies and an overview of social theories. However, I often felt uneasy with these canonical theories, given the empirical, temporal, and spatial gaps between their assumptions and my own research on contemporary China. These feelings of being a misfit prompted me to pursue an MA in East Asian Area Studies, where I hoped to deepen my regional expertise by familiarizing myself with selected texts from fields such as cultural studies, media studies, and history. In other words, I knew from the outset that I was here to ground my empirical knowledge of China and other East Asian countries.
Are there any EAAS related courses or events that have been particularly memorable?
I took three seminars with Professor Jenny Chio on topics of Tourism, Ethnic Politics, and Media Cultures. Each course was a refreshing experience, particularly because Professor Chio has invested a great deal of time and care in designing it so that we start with overviews of core theories/debates, then move on to case studies. She artfully touched on multiple locations and time periods to best serve the student body’s diverse interests. Our class discussions were actively facilitated and elevated not just by Professor Chio herself (she’s phenomenal!) but also by all the amazing graduate students, who unreservedly shared their knowledge, sensible insights, and hesitations. I felt excited, fortunate, and grateful to be part of such a generative, vibrant, caring intellectual community 🙂
Can you tell us about your research focus or interests? Is there any project/internship/work you are currently working on that you would like to share?
My current thesis tackles this paradox: why is it so hard to add an elevator? This question emerges at the confluence of China’s aging population and the rising grassroots movement for urban retrofitting that has received the state’s cooperation. Drawing on my last summer fieldwork, collections of newspaper clippings, a selection of legal cases, and official policies, I engage with discussions about aging-in-place, infrastructure, care, and state-society relationships. My thesis will be a short ethnography.
Do you have any advice for incoming students?
MA is such a great period to explore any topics that you’re interested in. This is helpful not just for those of you who plan to continue graduate studies, but also for those of you who hope to apply school knowledge to your non-academic professional practices. Even though we may all struggle with imposter syndrome, I would encourage you to bravely speak up in class when you feel words catch in your throat. Building on what Professor Sheehan once said, “no data is bad data,” no answer is a bad answer. We are here together, being the momentum to collectively push the boundaries of knowings. Also, a practical piece of advice for you is to consider getting an air purifier when you move to LA if you have allergies to dust, mites, pollen, like me…Following up on that, don’t trap yourself in the room when you have sunny days out there! Graduate life is life, so please enjoy your time here at LA! I came to realize this late.
What are your plans after graduation?
I will be spending a month at Jingdezhen, learning how to make ceramics and potteries. Many trips with family and friends are also scheduled. After the summer, I will attend UMICH for their PhD program in Anthropology.
