Profiles
Introducing
MIN KIM
Assistant Professor of Dance
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The Program in Dance in the Department of Theatre and Performance Studies is proud to introduce our new Assistant Professor of Dance, Min Kim. Originally from Seoul, South Korea, Prof. Kim holds an M.F.A. degree in Dance from Arizona State University.
Prof. Kim started her dance training in Seoul, where she studies classical ballet and traditional Korean dance. Her extensive performance and choreographic background is greatly influenced by her training and experiences in Korea and in the United States. She has performed as a soloist with a number of regional, national and international dance companies, and is a committed performer, choreographer and dance educator. Moving to the United States to pursue a master’s degree in contemporary dance and choreography, Prof. Kim blended her educational and performance experiences in the US with her traditional background in classical ballet and Korean dance, to develop her own integrated style that fuses disciplines, movement techniques and choreographic vocabulary. She is a strong collaborator, committed to working across disciplines and integrating the use of technology and film into her work.
As an educator, Prof. Kim brings a truly international and multicultural experience to the Program in Dance at KSU. She brings an expertise in World Dance, and will teach a number of global learning courses in history, dance appreciation and technique. As part of the “Year of Korea” celebrations at KSU in academic year 2009-2010, Prof. Kim will offer a traditional Korean dance course in spring 2010, giving dance students at KSU the unique opportunity to experience authentic Korean dance forms. Prof. Kim states her commitment to give students “a well-rounded, engaging, contextually-based learning experience.” She believes in giving students “a visual understanding of kinesiological concepts, helping them internalize movement experiences through a variety of movement styles.”
Director of the Program in Dance Ivan Pulinkala states “We are thrilled to welcome Min Kim to our faculty at KSU. She brings a strong professional background along with an expertise in global learning. A committed artist, scholar and educator, Min Kim will help our program become a leader in dance education in the southeast.”
A generous and kind spirit, encouraging and supportive of student growth, hard working and meticulous to detail, Min Kim will infuse the KSU Program in Dance with her truly unique movement vocabulary and innovative choreographic sensibility. Her exploration of Asian and Western culture and movement techniques will give KSU students a unique experience in dance, and open their minds to global culture and learning.
Introducing
KRISTEN SEAMAN
Assistant Professor of Art History
The Department of Visual Arts is proud to introduce our new Assistant Professor of Art History, Kristen Seaman. Originally from Fall River, Massachusetts, Seaman holds a Ph.D. in History of Art from University of California, Berkeley.
Dr. Seaman received her undergraduate degree from Yale University in Classics and Archaeology, where she specialized in Greek and Roman art and archeology. Her fascination with the ancient Greek and Roman world has led to her participate in excavations in Greece, Italy, and Israel. Dr. Seaman has also traveled to sites and museums throughout Europe and the Middle East. She takes an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and research. “I enjoy figuring out the ‘puzzle’ of archaeology and studying artworks within their historical and social contexts.” In the future, she would like to bring KSU students on excavations.
As a scholar and an educator, Dr. Seaman has a special interest in teaching courses in Greek and Roman art. Her university coursework was further enhanced by her Fulbright Scholarship, which enabled her to work at the American School of Classical Studies in Athens, Greece. Additionally she was awarded funding by the State Scholarships Foundation of Greece. She also studied at the American Academy in Rome, Italy. “I make good use of the images that I’ve taken at sites and museums over the years. In class, I like to show students views of artworks, architecture, and sites that aren’t in the textbooks, so the students can feel as though they’re experiencing them in person.”
Dr. Joe Thomas, chair of Visual Arts states: "We're very pleased that Dr. Seaman will be joining us in the fall. She has such a great understanding of the importance of global learning. She has spent long periods studying abroad herself, plus she has impressive foreign language training and abilities. I think she will bring her first-hand experience to bear in ways that will really help students to understand the importance of global diversity and inclusion."
When asked what she looks forward to most during her first year at Kennesaw State University, Dr. Seaman responded: “I am looking forward to meeting the students and teaching. . . and getting the students excited about ancient Greece and Rome, getting them interested in Art History.” Her engagement with global art and culture will surely inspire KSU students to explore the hidden treasures of the ancient world.