by Risa Seu
Dr. Mori is a visiting professor from Shizuoka, Japan teaching Japanese Society Block 1. This is his fifth time teaching at CC; the last time he taught here was about 10 years ago. He is the Dean of Faculty and Cultural Policy at Shizuoka University of Art and Culture where he teaches social theory, social research methods, social inclusion and social change. His research focuses on social inclusion, such as gender and work and the cost of education, focused on the Shizuoka area.
Dr. Mori has traveled to many places in the world. After graduating from high school in Yokohama, Japan, he volunteered in a Kibbutz in Palestine for a year, where he met students from overseas. There, he learned about US higher education and decided his personality fit more with the US education style than Japan’s. Thus, he applied to CC through the Fulbright Scholar Program and graduated with an undergraduate degree in Sociology. Like many of us, he decided to study at CC because of the block plan, the liberal arts program, and the beautiful natural scenery surrounding the campus. He also got an M.A. and Ph.D. from the University of California, Santa Cruz, where he further delved into his studies in Sociology. Afterward, he went back to Japan, where he got a job as a trainer for corporate managers at a company based in England. While in Britain he traveled around Europe. He says choosing his favorite place is difficult, as they all have their pros and cons, but San Marino Republic, Italy, where his wife is from, is one of them.
Dr. Mori is a very passionate professor who hopes to make an influence on government policies through his research. His advice to students is to follow our passion and understand what we enjoy doing because our strengths will likely lead us to our future jobs.
