Lessons from Leslie Knope and Sheryl Sandburg: By Watching ‘Parks and Recreation’

The TV sitcom show, 'Parks and Recreation', stimulates one of DSKUSSS members. She loves to share her feeling and thought on this show with you. Let's see what she learned from the show! Please let us know your thoughts through comments. Enjoy reading! :-)

Lessons from Leslie Knope and Sheryl Sandburg:

By Watching ‘Parks and Recreation’

Yunzee Kim

Graduated from Dongseo University

Communication and Media Studies

The sitcom of ‘Parks and Recreation’ is fun. However, it also gives you a lesson. Especially, if you are a woman, you can understand what I mean. The main character, Leslie Knope, is a government officer who works at the Parks and Recreation department of Pawnee. Ever since she started to work, she has been through lots of ups and downs. Sometimes, she meets good people who continue being her friend for the life time. From time to time, she fights all matters like financial problems and lack of interests by citizens in Pawnee, it is hard to make the project related to parks real. These situations are exaggerated by her friends who are so wired and dramatic all the time and these make viewers laugh. Through 7 seasons, she has become the national politician, friend, mother, and wife.

Leslie is passionate and confident. This character naturally reminded me of Sheryl Sandburg who is the CFO of Facebook. Sheryl is well-known for her passions on the women issues, specifically gender equality. Sheryl and Leslie have several things in common. They are so passionate on what they want to do. They seem not to know the word ‘give-up.’ When they face some issues, they are eager to find the way to solve the problem. Also, they share what they think with friends, families, co-workers. It means that Leslie and Sheryl make sure their idea be understood by their friends. So, they start to make supporters who help them do a job. Then, they solve the problem and share the victory with the people they love and care. These process keeps me think how I should do when I get a job as a woman.

The situations comedy seems to give us only laugh but this is not true. In the sitcoms, many precious lessons that people should know exist. In the “Parks and Recreation”, I am so happy to say that I could learn how to be a successful and happy woman. Hey, girls (also boys)! If you have time and if you want to be like Leslie or Sheryl, start to watch this show. It will give you tremendous wisdom for your life. I bet You would not regret!

DSKUSSS Webzine from Paris: Cliché on France regarding Speaking English

One of our members went to France as an exchange student. Since she really loves to share her thoughts in there and she sent DSKUSSS a piece of writing in a letter format. She was especially surprised at the fluency of French people's English speaking. What a interesting! Read this and share your thoughts through comments. Also, thank you Hyunji Yoo for your love and care toward DSKUSSS.

DSKUSSS Webzine from Paris:

Cliché on France regarding Speaking English

Hyunji Yoo

Global Studies

Pusan National University

Greetings from the city of light and love, Paris! It’s not just because I was a president of DSKUSSS before, I feel a huge love and passion whenever I think about DSKUSSS. Plus, I feel grateful to say hello to all DSKUSSS members and fans of DSKUSSS.

Before I arrived at the ground of Paris, I have been heard a lot of times that French people only speak French. Since I was not confident in my French, I was almost afraid of my life here even before it started. “Je sais pas! (I don’t know)” was my premier idea on France and French in general. However, this typical cliché on French was destroyed as I live here mingling with French friends. So far, I’ve never had a serious problem because of the language – of course, there exist some exceptions in the supermarket and my accommodation though. Beyond my first expectation, they have spoken English pretty well.

Throwback my past experiences with them, I think I would be more fluent in French if they could not speak English. Unfortunately, I could not achieve my original purpose to be like a Native French speaker but I at least knew how much they have passion to have a willingness to communicate through English. They recognize English as a global language and feel it as a necessary, or mandatory to live out in this century.

If you have been hesitant to visit France or European countries due to linguistic problems, forget about it and just come! Like my stereotype on France was broken down, you will fully enjoy the culture itself.

Childhood Obesity in the U.S.A

Have you ever heard of the campaign "Let's move"? This campaign started by the idea of Michelle Obama, the First Lady of the states, and it is about being healthy. One of DSKUSSS members shares her idea on child obesity. If you have any interesting thought, please let us know through the comments.

Childhood Obesity in the U.S.A

Jungwon Lee

Pusan National University

Dept. of Global Studies

 “In the end, as First Lady, this isn’t just a policy issue for me. This is a passion. This is my mission. I’m determined to work with folks across this country to change the way a generation of kids thinks about food and nutrition.”

Several years ago, Unites States’ First Lady Michelle Obama announced an ambitious national goal of solving the challenge of childhood obesity within a generation so that children born today will reach adulthood at a healthy weight and unveiled a nationwide campaign-Let’s Move-to help achieve it. The Let’s Move campaign is combating the epidemic of childhood obesity through a comprehensive approach that builds on effective strategies, and mobilizes public and private sector resources. The campaign engaged every sector impacting the health of children to achieve the national goal, and is providing schools, families and communities simple tools to help kids be more active, eat better, and get healthy.

Over the past three decades, childhood obesity rates in America have tripled, and today, nearly one in three children in America are overweight or obese. One third of all children born in 2000 or later will suffer from diabetes at some point in their lives; many others will face chronic obesity-related health problems like heart disease, high blood pressure, cancer, and asthma. The health care costs of obesity are skyrocketing, and this epidemic also impacts the nation’s security, as obesity is now one of the most common disqualifiers for military service. The main reason of this rising childhood obesity in United States is the eating habits. As more Americans are seeking convenience, they are eating lots of fast food and junk food, and individualism has increased the couch potatoes. This trend went down straight to children.  

Hopefully, there are several attempts to prevent the obesity danger of children in America by the campaign ‘Let’s move’. Schools are trying to serve healthier food in cafeterias because Administration is reauthorizing the Child Nutrition Act, investing additional 10 billion dollars over ten years starting in 2011 to improve the quality of the National School Lunch and Breakfast Program. With this investment, additional fruits, vegetables, and low-fat dairy products are now served in schools. Another attempt is helping parents make healthy family choices because parents play a key role in making healthy choices for their children. The American Academy of Pediatrics is writing a prescription for parents laying out the simple things they can do to increase healthy eating and active play. The fact that the Unites States is concerned about childhood obesity and trying to solve their problems is fortunate.

Pioneers of the American West (From the TV series ‘Little House on the Prairie’)

Have you ever watched the show "Little House on the Prairie"? This show gives us a chance to look at the life of early Americans who settled down in the America and started to adapt to life in there. One of our members want to share her thoughts on this show and the life of early Americans. Let us know what you think through the comments.

Pioneers of the American West

(From the TV series ‘Little House on the Prairie’)

Jungwon Lee

Pusan National University

Dept. of Global Studies

Charles Ingalls spends his time mostly on the farm, plowing and carpentering because he has to make a living for his big family. Caroline Ingalls takes control in housework, like cooking for workers outside, making clothes, and nurturing children. A little girl, Laura and her siblings always go to school, and they learn from one teacher, because the school is small sized. Also, on Sundays, every family meets together in town church and hold meetings.

The ‘Little House on the Prairie’ is a media franchise that started with a series of children’s books by Laura Ingalls Wilder that were originally published between 1932 and 1943. The book has nine series, ‘Little house in the big woods’, ‘Little house on the prairie’, ‘On the banks of plum creek’, ‘By the shores of silver lake’, ‘The long winter’, ‘Little town on the prairie’, ‘These happy golden years’, and ‘The first four years’. The Author, Laura Ingalls Wilder put her real story as a pioneer’s daughter in this book series. It is based on many-decade-old memories of her childhood in the Midwest region of the United States during the late 19^th century. Although this book series were considered classics of American children’s literature, it was loved by numerous people around the world and grew to include television and stage adaptations. The book series and the dramas’ contents differ a little, but if you watch this television show, you can see the lives of pioneers living in the little town called ‘Walnut Grove’ closely.

Whenever we think of Pioneers of America, we think of horse operas, imagining cowboys with cowboy hats and riding horses with lightning speed. People think pioneers lived their lives splendidly, but that’s just looking at the surface of it. In fact, pioneers’ lives were hard and toilsome because they were settlers who were new to the American land. After moving to America from Europe, they started their lives on barren land. They tried to adapt to the new environment they were living in, and they planted crops and raised livestock. Although their lives were hard because they sometimes had tensions with native Americans, had to endure cold blizzard, fought grasshopper attacks in summer, these pioneers lived with their families with love. Also, they had faith that they can make their lives better by working diligently.

To pioneer families, being friendly with their neighbors was big help because they didn’t get lonely and could get advice from each other on how to make living well. If you didn’t have a chance to watch this television series, don’t hesitate watching it! You will feel happiness, and warmth of many pioneer families.     

Why the Wall Street became the Wall Street?

Do you know why we call the Wall Street "Wall Street"? One of our members brings out one interesting article that explains you how the name "the Wall Street" showed up. Let us know how you think about it through comments! Any comments are welcome.

Why the Wall Street became the Wall Street? 

Soeun Kim

Pusan National University

Polymer Science and Engineering 

What can you imagine if you hear the "Wall Street"? Some might think of positive images like the center of the economy or the place that represents the capitalism. On the other hand, for the others, greed and corruption would come first in mind. The Wall Street, which is located in Manhattan, New York, is the street with concrete jungle formed by financial headquarters, stock markets, etc. Both economy booming and the great depression came from this Street. The Wall Street leads not only New York, but also the whole world. Then, how the Wall Street got the name "Wall Street"? 

About 400 years ago, Europe was in Imperialism. Strong countries like U.K, France, and Spain were trying to find new lands for their colonies. At that time, Holland, one of the rising countries in the trade business, also sought for new lands. Therefore, the Dutch found a small land in America, and established a new land named New Amsterdam that included Manhattan and Wall Street.As the trades expanded rapidly, New Amsterdam became a popular metropolis. At the same time, as the city became bigger, the government found out that organizing and keeping security were needed. Therefore, the government sent the soldier, "Peter Stuyvesant", who could govern the city and protect from other big countries’ invasion. He tried to make the city prosper and safe. So, he made regulations for public order and constructed the wall made of logs to protect the city from UK as it was adjacent. However, the UK invaded the New Amsterdam to expand their territory in the end. The New Amsterdam was captured, and as a result, the Duke York who was a brother of the King of UK became the ruler of the city. 

After that, the New Amsterdam changed the name to New York which was named after the DukeYork. However, the wall was preserved. So people named the street along the wall the Wall Street.The Wall Street now reaching for the outside of the world was once the wall to protect the inside from the outside.

The Secret of ‘Empire’ on the FOX Success

Recently, 'Empire' ,the TV show on the FOX channel, hit the U.S.A. Given that regional network systems are well-developed in the states, it is hard for TV show in the states to get a high ratings. However, this show 'Empire' was sensational online and it got better ratings as the shows went on. What do you think its secret? If you want to know, read this interesting article. One of DSKUSSS members analyzed the successful factors of this show. Let us know your thinking through the comments!

The Secret of ‘Empire’ on the FOX Success

Yunzee Kim

Graduated from Dongseo University

Broadcasting and Media Studies

[1]

Recently, the channel FOX got huge success on the TV drama show. This success was possible due to the show called ‘Empire’. This show is unique since it deals with the hip-hop music industry and the betrayal and ambition in it. This show tells about the family life who work in the hip-hop industry field and there has been some tensions among family members because all members are interested in taking this ‘Empire’ as theirs.

The rating on this show was rapidly increased and viewers give about 8.2 points out of 10 on this show[2]. Also, on the iTunes, the songs that were used in the show are hit on the chart. How does this situation so-called ‘booming of the hit show’ happen? As far as I can tell, there are mainly three reasons this show gets more popular.

[3]The first factor is the perfect casting. Especially, the main characters are played by Terrence Howard and Taraji P. Henson who are most talented African-American actor and actress each. They are full of acting experiences. Other actors or actresses are also kind of rookie compared to Terrence and Taraji. However, their charisma and passion on the show is delivered during on-air. Most importantly, all people are perfectly describing their own characters in the way the characters are well understood. Plus, there are some famous cameos like Jennifer Hudson and Naomi Campbell make this show glamorous.

The second factor is amazing songs. ‘No Apologies’, ‘What Is Love’, ‘Drip Drop’ and ‘You’re So Beautiful’ etc. have been bringing hot reaction from the viewers. The songs sound fun or sad and the beat of hip-hop music makes people excited. Various types of songs and perfectly fitted songs to the story are one of the keys of Empire’ success.

The third factor is twisted story-line itself. There is no typical characters in this show. All characters are changing their position as the show goes and there are bunch of betrayal between the family members. Since this story is not ridiculous and unrealistic, more people get into it.

If you look for this factors when you watch the TV show, ‘Empire’ is not going to let you down. Rather, this show would let you enthusiastic on it. If you are wondering about this show, just watch it and feel it! You are not going to regret it!

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[1] Retrieved from http://www.projectcasting.com/casting-calls-acting-auditions/empire-season-2-casting-call/

[2] Retrieved from http://www.imdb.com/title/tt3228904/

[3] Retrieved from http://variety.com/2015/tv/features/timbaland-gives-lee-daniels-empire-hip-hop-cred-1201393126/

Prom Culture in the United States!

Did you ever feel jealous of American teenagers? If you did, you probably are interested in the prom culture. Since Korea does not have the prom culture, Koreans have a fantasy for the American prom culture. One of our members explains the step of preparing the prom. You can share your opinions through the comments and let us know what kind of fantasy on the U.S. prom culture you have. Have fun reading!

Prom Culture in the United States!

Jungwon Lee

Pusan National University

Department of Global Studies

Whenever we watch high-teen American dramas or movies, one thing that frequently appears is ‘high school prom’. Prom, a word which is short for ‘promenade’, is a semi-formal dance or gathering of high school students. This event is typically held near the end of the senior year, like the last year of high school. Yes, watching those, I sometimes imagined what would be like attending a prom, wearing beautiful dress, and dancing with my prince charming! J To high-teen American schoolgirls especially, prom is one of the things that they had been waiting for since they were very young!! Now, I’m going to tell you how American students prepare proms, and what events happen in proms!

 When the date of prom is announced, high school seniors become busy and the first thing they do is finding dates for them. The question would be simple. You just ask someone you had in mind, like ‘Will you be my prom date?’ If you get a positive answer, then that person is your date and you get a chance to dance with him or her on the prom day! Then, adequate attires are needed. Boys usually dress in black or white formal wear, regardless of the time of the event, sometimes paired with brightly colored ties with vests. Girls wear dresses or evening gowns and they also wear corsage, given to them by their dates.

 On the prom day, couples gather at a park, garden for single and group photos. Prom attendees may rent limousines to transport groups of friends from their homes to the prom venues(maybe a banquet hall or school gymnasium). At prom night, a band or DJ play music, and they make the air filled with enthusiasm. After the dance, prom king and prom queen may be selected by a vote and they wear a crown.

 Of course, there are some critiques who argue that too much money is wasted in just one party for young students. There is some truth in that argument, but on the other hand, prom can make American high teens’ school life more exciting and memorable. I kind of wish Korean high schools could also manage several events that are similar to proms. Most high school students in Korea are so busy studying that they easily worn out. Prom can be one of the high school cultures that present youth and vitality, and adopting prom culture wouldn't be a bad idea!