Conference Participation
Schrank, Phillip Gary. “Korea and her Allies: A Historical Comparative Analysis of North and South Korea’s Alliances.” Paper presented at the Korea Political Science Association World Congress for Korean Politics and Society; Seoul, ROK, June 24-26.
Schrank, Phillip Gary. “Vietnam Stuck in the Middle: US and China Strategic Competition for Virtual Alliances in Asia.” Paper presented at the Korea Political Science Association World Congress for Korean Politics and Society; Seoul, ROK, June 24-26.
ABSTRACTS:
1. The US and China are in a competition to create virtual alliance networks in Asia. Of particular interest is the relationships between the US and Vietnam and China and Vietnam. In the case of the US-Vietnam relationship, formal relations resumed in 1995, twenty years after the US left unceremoniously with the defeat of the democratic Republic of Vietnam. Since 1995, the US and Vietnam have grown closer as strategic and economic interests compelled the two countries to cooperate over a wide range of issues. The China-Vietnam relationship has a long and contentious history. Since the rise of Communism in both China and Vietnam, the socialist connection has brought the two together. However, historical animosity has kept Vietnam skeptical of the China’s power, while China hopes to curb US influence over Vietnam. The relationship has taken a turn for the worse since 2009 when China began asserting itself in the South China Sea. This move seemingly has pushed Vietnam right into the US’s waiting arms.
2. This paper examines the beginnings of the alliances; the relationships the allies played in the alliances; and the metamorphosis that North and South Korea’s alliances both undertook. North Korea’s alliances and South Korea’s alliances began as the Koreas were weak and held strategic value for their allies, but today, they hold different roles in their respective alliances. This paper discusses the history behind the beginnings of the alliances and subsequently, how the relationships changed up until 1991 with the fall of the Soviet Union. In the case of South Korea and the United States, an analysis of the San Francisco System in relation to the US-ROK alliance. In the case of North Korea, its bilateral alliances with both the Soviet Union and China directly affected its stability. Second, it addresses the current alliance situations of North and South Korea and speculates on the future involvement and influence of the alliances. Finally, it shows that initially, the alliances contributed greatly to stability while recently, both North and South Korea seem to be stuck in the middle of a US-China struggle for strategic influence over the Korean peninsula.
Schrank, Phillip Gary; Chair. "Teaching Content in the ESL Classroom. Roundtable discussion at the KOTESOL Gwangju-Jeonnam Regional Conference, Gwangju, ROK, March 9, 2019. (with Maria Lisak, and Arlo Matisz)
ABSTRACT: Teaching content in English? Join the Content-based Instruction roundtable discussion, intended for teachers of content (Social Sciences, Education, Math, English Literature, etc.). Regardless of the age of learners, attendees are invited to introduce themselves (basics, school/teaching info) and talk about how content is taught in their classroom. Participants are encouraged to bring any materials (for example, a list of helpful books or articles, examples of success or failure) to contribute to the discussion. This discussion shares ideas and debates different approaches to teach content. Content-Based Instruction (CBI), also known as Content and Language Integrated Learning (CLIL), or English as a Medium of Instruction (EMI), are methodologies used to integrate the dual purposes of teaching language and content at the same time. Participants will share their favorite teaching practices; what works and doesn’t work in South Korean classrooms; and strategies for getting difficult concepts across without using the students’ first language. Are your classes theme based where topics or themes are integrated into language skills? Is your classroom content-focused; turning it into what CBI scholars call Sheltered Instruction? Or does your classroom use Adjunct instruction, where collaboration between content instructors and Language teachers is essential. What's worked in your classroom? How do you support learning content and English language? These questions will guide the discussion during this session. Sharing experiences with each other can support our teaching practice and help to make each others’ content classroom better.
FES-KISA Conference, Seoul, ROK (2018)
Schrank, Phillip Gary. “US-China Strategic Competition for Virtual Alliance Supremacy in Asia.” Paper presented at the FES-KISA Conference, Seoul, ROK, November 16-17, 2018.
ABSTRACT: With the successful year (so far) of North-South Korea Summits and the first ever US-DPRK Summit, the time is ripe to revisit the concept of the virtual alliance. Ralph Cossa and Philip Saunders introduced the concept of a virtual alliance in 1999 to explain the relationship between the ROK and Japan in the context of both being treaty allies to the United States. The virtual alliance has faded from interest in the last ten years and has never undergone a serious examination or conceptualization. Originally, the virtual alliance was seen as a relationship that would allow the US to keep and increase influence in the region while not antagonizing China; the same is even more evident as relations with the DPRK soften and Chinese power increases. Now, we are starting to see the US, with its pivot to Asia; and China, with its Belt and Road Initiative, work to build virtual alliance networks in the Asia Pacific region. This paper will build a conceptual framework of the virtual alliance and virtual alliance network.
Schrank, Phillip Gary; Chair. “The Rigors of Research: Success in Graduate School and Beyond.” Roundtable discussion at the Korea TESOL-PAC International Conference; Seoul, ROK, October 21-22, 2017. (with Daniel Bailey, Jamin E. Bassette, Joanne McCuaig, and Eric Reynolds)
ABSTRACT: Many English instructors are currently doing graduate studies or are thinking about taking on the rigors of graduate school. This panel will explore issues regarding the research and methodologies needed to be successful. The panelists will discuss topics that are vital to success in graduate school. The first step to success is choosing and working with an advisor that not only fits your research goals, but also will be available and helpful. One of the first major hurdles in the writing process is conducting and writing a literature review. We will give pointers on how to successfully research and write a literature review. Another difficult aspect is the methodological component to writing a research paper. Topics such as action research, quantitative versus qualitative analysis, and setting up dependent and independent variables will be discussed. Finally, tips on writing and editing the final product will be given. The key to writing is to keep a steady pace once the writing has begun, not procrastinate, and stick to a writing schedule that accounts for the inflexibility of life. Each panelist will dissect one of the key phases to conducting successful research that will help you graduate and make you a more successful researcher throughout your career. After each panelist discusses their topic, there will be ample time for audience feedback and/or questions. Finally, we will break out into short sessions where you can ask more personalized questions about your writing and research to one of the panelists.
Schrank, Phillip Gary. “Germany again stuck in the Middle: The Future of European Cooperation and the US-Russia Relationship.” Paper presented at the Korean Association of Local Government Studies Summer International Academic Conference, Busan, ROK, July 6-7, 2017.
ABSTRACT: The expansion of NATO has again become a hot topic since Russia annexed Crimea in 2014. There are several issues currently up for debate. First, what was promised to Russia after the collapse of the Soviet Union? Second, what effects has expansion had on the West’s relationship with Russia, and what has been Russia’s response to NATO expansion? Third, what possibilities are available for cooperation? Finally, after examining the past and current issues we can speculate on how the future will unfold. Will NATO continue to pursue expansion? Will Russia back down from its stance of opposing NATO expansion or will it continue to protect its borders and work to stop the expansion?
Schrank, Phillip Gary. “Can We Say ‘The End of East Asian Regionalism’?” Paper presented at the International Studies Association Asia-Pacific Conference, Hong Kong, June 25-27, 2016.
ABSTRACT: The idea of an East Asian Community has a long history and much has been written about why it has not come to fruition. This paper will focus on Northeast Asian countries of China, Japan, and South Korea and what those countries have done in the recent past, present, and what we can expect in the future from them. Finally, the paper makes four recommendations for finally achieving an East Asian Community. First, the role of the US in East Asia has to be solidified. Second, China must stop being a shirker of the international order and start being a supporter. Third, historical issues and animosities must be left in the past. Finally, the gulf between CJK and ASEAN both economically and politically must be narrowed.