About the Project

I first became interested in this project when I decided to complete a field experience/internship focused on digital archives and metadata. I reached out to Kayo Denda, Head of the Margery Somers Foster Center and Librarian for Women's, Gender, and Sexuality Studies at the Mabel Smith Douglass Library. After our conversation, I decided to design my own practicum—combining my interest in digital archives, metadata, and programming with the skills I had developed in previous coursework. It was also important to me to focus on women's, gender, and sexuality studies, as these remain core interests of mine.

Reflecting on my background, I recalled my interest in Korean feminism and gender dynamics. I chose to focus on Korean Shamanic songs (muga) because my mother loved watching these performances, which gave me a personal connection to the subject. This project offered a meaningful opportunity to explore my own culture and historical heritage. Specifically, I focused on muga from the late Joseon Dynasty (17th–19th centuries), a period when Neo-Confucianism deeply reshaped society and traditional gender roles. I wanted to analyze how these societal shifts are reflected within the texts. I have shared more details about my project journey on the Margery Somers Foster Center website.