new member introduction: Jordan Smith

[JORDAN ANTONY SMITH]

Hello Kine Japan,

This is the (I believe) standard introductory email requested of new members. 

I look forward to hearing from the group and participating in the forum. 

宜しくお願い致します。

Best,
Jordan

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Name: Jordan Smith

Institutional affiliation or job: UCLA (doctoral candidate in Comparative Literature; lecturer as of Fall 09); Cal State Long Beach (lecturer in Comparative World Literature)

City and country: Los Angeles, USA

Research projects or publications: 

I'm currently focusing on my dissertation, which examines transpacific travel writers between Japan and Latin America and their relevance to translation and transnational studies. I've also published on Japanese Peruvian literature and identity, and am editing a volume on hip hop close readings. I'm also beginning to write a short piece on soramimi/buffalaxing in music videos which I'll be presenting at U of Ariz this November. 

Interests with regard to Japanese film and moving image media:

My interests are all over the place; I teach courses in Japanese film and popular culture (Pepperdine, UC Riverside), and always incorporate J-film/media into other courses as well (esp. comedies in a course called "The Comic Spirit). I'm newly/increasingly interested in anime after interpreting for the recent Anime Expo in Los Angeles.