Faculty Excellence at UMUC

Interviewer:

Please tell us about yourself—what made you decide to teach at UMUC? What kind of work do you do when you are not teaching at UMUC? Are there any life experiences that have influenced your teaching at UMUC? If so, please share one story.

Mark Monahan:

I originally came from North Korea arriving in South Korea during the Korean War. I served in the Korean army from 1951 to 1962 and went to the USA under the invitation granted by the USA government in March 1962. I joined the US Army as soon as I arrived, advised by my sponsor who was, then, a Senator from New York State. After serving three years in the US Army, I attended Georgetown University majoring International Relations and received a BSFS degree (BS Foreign Service). I immediately received a commission in the Marine Corps and served until my retirement in 1988.  The US Marine Corps educated me in various ways, i.e. US Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Defense Language Institute (Chinese), Defense Intelligence College –Graduate School Course, Japanese National Institute for Defense Studies (Class 34), and more service schools.  Marine Corps paid for my MA degree at University of Arizona  and PhD at Georgetown University.

I have taught at Yonsei University, Graduate School of International Studies as a full-time professor until I became 65 years old and 'retired.'  Korean universities have a mandatory retirement age at 65. 

I retired from the Marine Corps, because Yonsei University invited me to teach at an aforementioned graduate school. I taught for Yonsei in 1988 and at the same time I taught for UMUC as a part time instructor. When I was stationed in Okinawa as a Marine, I taught one course, the Korean War  at UMUC-Okinawa in 1985.  I really liked it because most of my students were either AF personnel or Marines.  Returning to Korea to teach at Yonsei, I visited the UMUC office and applied for a part time instructor position, which I got. I became a full time with UMUC in 1998. 

I taught one course at UMUC-Okinawa when I was an active Marine Officer, and I really liked it. I liked the UMUC because I could teach students who had/have same experiences I had/have. We talk same language, they say.

Interviewer:

How would you describe your teaching style or philosophy? What experiences or person(s) have influenced your style or philosophy?

Mark Monahan:

It is very simple. My philosophy of teaching is that I treat my students not just as students, but I treat them with respect and benevolence. I teach my students not only academic fields, but also teach them to become "good" and virtuous persons. I teach them to motivate and show them their goals in their lives. I also teach them discipline. 

When I was at Georgetown, there was a professor named Dr. Quiley, who influenced and shaped my life. He taught me to be the value of honesty, hard-work, devotion, diligence, and furthermore discipline.

Confucian philosophy also influenced by life and philosophy of teaching.

Interviewer:

Please explain if you do something special or unique in your teaching and what made you develop this.

Mark Monahan:

Again, my teaching style is just like that of Dr. Quiley. I give lectures on each chapter and give related articles for students to read. I give several written reports on their findings on major issues in that chapter.

I think, students see my hard work and examples that I wanted to show to students, i.e. never late for class, always be available for students’ questions, show strict disciple, etc.

Interviewer:

What do you think it is about your teaching style that appeals to students?

Mark Monahan:

I think that students like the teaching style that I have described above.

Interviewer:

Do you teach face-to-face, online, or both? Do you have a preference between teaching face-to-face and online? If so, please explain.

Mark Monahan:

I teach both. I prefer face-to-face, because I can see them and watch their performance. More importantly, I can ask those questions and students ask questions to me directly.

Interviewer:

Please tell us about your chosen discipline-i.e., what made you interested in the area initially? What do you do to stay current in your discipline? What do you like best about teaching in your discipline?

Mark Monahan:

My major was International Relations at first, but I concentrated on Asian studies. I really did not know too much about Asian history, etc. The Marine Corps changed all that. The Marine Corps sent me to Defense Language Institute for Chinese for a year. I found Chinese culture and civilization and their long history impressed me a great deal. In fact, I fell in love with Chinese civilization. I decided to my graduate work on East Asian studies. 

I keep current in my field by constant readings on Asian issues from various professional journals.

I like teaching in my discipline because I have an opportunity to relay information I have gleaned over many years.
 

Interviewer:

What is the most challenging to you in teaching in this area? What teaching strategy do you use when you encounter the challenge?

Mark Monahan:

There is so much information in my field. I not only read English language materials, but also Korean, Chinese, and Japanese sources.  I found that Japan has the most useful information and materials in my field.  If I encounter challenges, I study more. 

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to students who are interested in majoring or working in your discipline?

Mark Monahan:

I tell them to learn to speak, write, and read Chinese, Japanese, and Korean fluently.

Interviewer:

In your opinion, what makes UMUC the college of choice for students?

Mark Monahan:

I think that it is UMUC's long history and reputation for excellence.

Interviewer:

In your opinion, what makes UMUC the employer of choice for future faculty members?

Mark Monahan:

I think that UMUC is a global organization that attracted many future faculty members for opportunity for travel and teaching at the same time. In my field, travel to various Asian nations is extremely important.You not only read about it but also see it for yourself.  I collected hundreds of slides taking pictures when I traveled to various historical sites in Korea and Japan. In fact, on one occasion I had to give a lecture on Byodoin, a famous "temple" built in 998 AD in Uji near Kyoto. I went there that weekend and studied it. I told my students what I actually encountered and saw, and they really liked it.

Again, when I gave a lecture on "Tripitaka Koreana," I left Seoul at 0400 and got there at 1000. It was a fascinating experience for me to see an actual Korean national treasure. The students really liked hearing me tell about it.

Along with these opportunities, for me, I love to talk and teach to my fellow Service members passing on my experience with the US Marine Corps. By doing this, I still serve my country the USA.

Interviewer:

What suggestion would you give to new faculty who are interested in teaching in your discipline at UMUC?

Mark Monahan:

I would say to study the languages of Asia, travel and visit all important historical sites, read all journals and other periodicals, and respect the Asian culture and people.