Graduate student theology professor Daniel Reginald Soowong Kim, better known as “Reg” to his students, is probably one of the most interesting and approachable professors at Fordham. His unique approach to theology and his honest concern and care for his students makes his theology core course an enjoyable and worthwhile experience. Reg’s popularity amongst the undergraduate population was demonstrated when he was awarded Teaching Fellow of the Year (2009-2010), an award that is based on students votes towards the most outstanding graduate student instructor. Many students, including myself, have planned their schedules in order to take a second theology class with him. So I asked Professor Kim to answer some questions about his developing career, his future plans, and his New York City life!
Tell us about yourself: where did you grow up, what have you studied and where, and what are some of your likes and interests?
I grew up in a largely Mexican-American neighborhood in East Los Angeles, CA until junior high school when my family moved to Orange County, CA. Yup, that Orange County. I ended up going to college at the University of California, Berkeley and studied Medieval History there. After college, I moved back down to Southern California to live in Long Beach. But before I came to Fordham, I lived in Oxford, England and Lebanon, NH, New England, both for a year at a time. At Oxford, I studied history and then went on to finish my Master’s in Biblical Studies and the History of Christianity back in California.
As for likes and interests, my DVD collection consists of prematurely cancelled TV shows, like Freaks and Geeks and Arrested Development. I’ve attended the last six FIFA World Cups, which I hope becomes my lifelong “thing.” And, whenever I come back from watching a band play, it ignites my not-so-secret desire to be in a semi-famous indie rock/pop band.
What are you specifically studying here at Fordham? What courses have you taught?
I’m finishing my Ph.D. at Fordham in the History of Christianity focusing on the interpretation of the Bible in the Middle Ages and how conceptions of gender were affected by these interpretations. I have taught Faith and Critical Reason; Early Christian Writings; Byzantine Christianity; and Augustine, Aquinas, and Luther.
Did you always know you wanted to be a professor? Why did you choose theology as your area of focus?
I’ve known since I was in high school that I wanted to get a Ph.D. and teach at a university. But, this became even more of a desire when I learned that my grandfather was on his way to getting his Ph.D. but was conscripted by the Japanese army during their occupation of Korea during WWII and he didn’t finish his degree. My father came to America to get his Ph.D. but somehow my mom got pregnant and he was forced to work to support our family while going part time through school. Knowing that both of them never quite got there has made want to achieve this goal.
With regards to choosing theology, I’ve always been interested in how people have interpreted the Bible and why some interpretations are considered more valid to one community than to another. And, when two or more groups disagree on how something should be interpreted, why people are not convinced by the other sides’ interpretation. The academic project for me is not about understanding or knowing God, but instead, trying to understand why people have come to believe certain things about God and the Bible.
Besides teaching, what other occupations have you held?
I was a junior high and high school teacher before I started my Ph.D. program. But, I’ve worked as a restaurant server, a basketball coach, a karaoke host, and a valet parking attendant.
If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?
Portlandia.
“The Dream of the 90s is alive in Portland”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AVmq9dq6Nsg
Who are some of your idols and role models?
David Foster Wallace. Malcolm X. Fred Armisen. Darth Vader. Amy Poehler. Leonard Cohen. Parker Posey. Andy Kaufman. Jackie Robinson. Bruce Lee. John Wooden. Thomas, also known as Didymus. Nic Harcourt.
Favorite Movie: This is Spinal Tap and Kicking and Screaming (the Noah Baumbach one, not the Will Ferrell one.)
Favorite Book: Oooh, you can’t ask an academic that question. Too much pressure to look smart. But, it just might be History of the World in 10 ½ Chapters by Julian Barnes.
Favorite Artist/Band: These days, the National. But, of all time? Depeche Mode.
What is the most important piece of career advice you feel you could share with a Fordham student?
Don’t be afraid to study what captures your imagination. My friends and I used to joke around in college, “If we can’t ruin our lives at 20, when will we ever be able to?” And I think there’s a certain truth in that statement. This is a rare time in a person’s life when s/he can redefine themselves and think beyond society’s expectations and values. It may seem to others that you are ruining your life by studying literature or the arts or religion, but you may never get the chance to study these things again and you’ll be a better person because you tried.
What made you decide to come to New York City?
Fordham’s Theology Department and the Center for Medieval Studies. I mean, growing up in L.A. means that I hate the Yankees and the Knicks and I never wanted to move here. But since Fordham has one of the best medieval studies and theology programs in the country, I knew that I would be working with the top academics in my field here in NYC. Also, it could have been worse. I could have been in Boston.
What is your favorite undiscovered gem of the city?
I’m not telling you. You’re going to let the whole world know through the interwebs and it will stop being cool. So, I’ll say, “Times Square.”
What is on your NYC Bucket List?
Re-enact the subway ride taken by the Warriors from the Bronx back to Coney Island as depicted in the movie The Warriors. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MV4cgs-bPic
What do you do when you’re not in the classroom or busy grading papers?
Usually, I try to work on my own research and writing (i.e., my dissertation). When I’m not doing that, I go to see bands play or watch/play sports. I have to keep up with my Dodgers and Lakers.
I used to be better about doing the NYT crossword puzzle, but that’s taken a back seat to other trivia games.
What is one thing that would surprise people to learn about you?
I say I’m 5’9” but I’m really closer to 5’10”.
What are your future plans?
Next academic year, I will be on a research fellowship which means that I get to take a break from teaching and go to Germany to read old books in an old library. After that, I want to finish my dissertation, and go out and find a professorship.
Pick One!
- Dog or Cat? Dog
- Duane Reade or WalGreen’s? Rite Aid (or Thrifty’s – as it was known while I was growing up. They used to have 15 cents single scoop ice cream on a cone.)
- Met or MoMA? MoMA
- Hot Dog or Bagel? Hot Dog (especially Crif Dogs on St. Mark’s)
- Broadway or Off-Broadway? I refuse to dignify this question with a response.
- Radio City or Madison Square Garden? The Rockettes and Knickerbockers are both over-rated.
- Central Park or Brooklyn Bridge? The Bridge
- Subway or Taxi? Taxi (especially during the Andy Kaufman years)
- Coffee or Tea? Coffee – freshly roasted, and extracted through my Chemex
- NYC Botanical Gardens or Bronx Zoo? Ugh. That’s a tough one. Who can choose between plant jail and animal jail?
- Movies or Television? Television, since I was raised by it.