Paul Foster

Chinese Program Director, Associate Professor of Chinese

Member Of:
  • School of Modern Languages
Office Location: Swann 311
Office Hours: Fall 2024 (virtual or MW 11-12) email me!
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Overview

Fall 2024 Office Hours MW 11-12 noon; virtual or in person (email me for link)

Paul B. Foster received his Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Literatures from the Ohio State University. His specialty is the study of Lu Xun 鲁迅, the icon of Modern Chinese Literature. Dr. Foster is the author of Jin Yong's Martial Arts Fiction and the Kungfu Industrial Complex(link is external) (Lexington Press, 2023), Ah Q Archaeology:  Lu Xun, Ah Q, Ah Q’s Progeny and the National Character Discourse in Twentieth-Century China(link is external)  (Lexington Press, 2006), as well as a number of journal articles and conference papers. Dr. Foster's current research is on Chinese Sci-Fi, exploring Liu Cixin's "Three Body Problem" and researching the issues of posthumanism and dystopia in sci-fi.

Dr. Foster researches and teaches the spectrum of Chinese language courses related to his research. He enjoys introducing students to contemporary Chinese culture at the upper level through varied media, having created courses to teach language and culture through:

  • Chinese Sci-Fi
  • Kungfu/Martial Arts Fiction
  • Strategy & the Art of War
  • Kungfu & Wuxia Film
  • Music & Pop Culture
  • Lu Xun & Modern Chinese Literature

Promoting study abroad is a longstanding priority for Dr. Foster, who views this experience as a crucial part of students' overall education. Dr. Foster designed, developed and co-directed the University System of Georgia Summer Study in China (Nanjing and/or Yangzhou), and designed, developed, and alternately co-directs or coordinates GT School of Modern Languages' intensive summer Chinese language program in Shanghai and Qingdao, the China LBAT(link is external). Current pandemic and political conditions have put a hold on China LBAT for the forseeable future.

In addition, Dr. Foster was Co-principle Investigator for a Department of Education International Research and Studies (IRS) Instructional Materials Grant to develop “Advanced/Intermediate Language and Culture through Song. He is also an Associate of the China Research Center(link is external), an alliance of local scholars which provides cultural, economic, political and business research and information in Georgia and the Southeast. In addition, Dr. Foster is Editorial Board Member for China Currents(link is external), the publication of the China Research Center. Moreover, he has served on numerous committees. Dr. Foster also sponsors numerous student groups, which include the Chinese Student Association, the Hong Kong Student Association, the GT Wushu Club, the GT Unicycling Club and others which dovetail with his interests in martial arts fiction, rock climbing (multi-day big walls, alpine routes, cragging throughout the US, Taiwan, and Japan), and ultra-endurance mountain biking, which also resemble learning Chinese in that they alll require dedication and practice, practice, practice. Dr. Foster was awarded the Ivan Allen College's E. Roe Stamps Excellence in Teaching Award for Junior Faculty for 2002/3.

Click on Links to My Publications (also in CV): 

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