Korean college student activists’ motivations, experiences, and perceptions
Format Type
Plenary
Format Type
Paper
Start Date
14-1-2021 4:50 PM
End Date
14-1-2021 5:10 PM
Abstract
Student activism plays an important role in student development, so understanding student activists’ thoughts, identifying any challenges they have encountered, and figuring out ways to support their activism is critical for higher education. A group of college students in South Korea have established a student organization actively participating in varying ways to address the Japanese military sexual slavery (so-called “comfort women”) issue. In this study, I examined motivations, experiences, and perceptions of Korean college students actively participating in this issue. Using a case study research design, I collected data through in-depth, open-ended, semi-structured interviews with 10 members of the organization and analyzed using thematic analysis. Additionally, I collected documents showing their various activities and analyzed. This study provides a resource to promote a safe, encouraging campus environments for student activism.
Keywords
student activism, student development, college students
Korean college student activists’ motivations, experiences, and perceptions
Student activism plays an important role in student development, so understanding student activists’ thoughts, identifying any challenges they have encountered, and figuring out ways to support their activism is critical for higher education. A group of college students in South Korea have established a student organization actively participating in varying ways to address the Japanese military sexual slavery (so-called “comfort women”) issue. In this study, I examined motivations, experiences, and perceptions of Korean college students actively participating in this issue. Using a case study research design, I collected data through in-depth, open-ended, semi-structured interviews with 10 members of the organization and analyzed using thematic analysis. Additionally, I collected documents showing their various activities and analyzed. This study provides a resource to promote a safe, encouraging campus environments for student activism.