Name: Keeli Wagner
Majors and Minors: I have a major in Anthropology, with minors in Asian studies, English, History, Japanese, and Sociology.
Hometown: Lincoln, NE
Year at UNL: Senior
Favorite Book:
Here are my most recent favorites: The Sympathizer by Viet Thanh Nguyen (a nuanced and darkly comedic look at the Vietnam War), Fun Home by Alison Bechdel (a touching graphic novel that explores family and self-identity), and Catch-22 by Joseph Heller (a satirical and absurdist WWII novel).
Favorite Movie:
My current favorite movie is Parasite (2019) dir. Bong Joon-ho. It has a beautiful score, beautiful cinematography, equal amounts of hilarious and spine-chilling moments, and some really interesting things to say about systems of wealth and inequality.
Why Anthropology?
My major and minors reflect my broad interest in the humanities! I started off as just an anthropology major, but added new minors after I realized I wanted to take a wider variety of courses. My favorite courses that I’ve taken have been ENGL 245A: Asian-American Literature, ANTH 482: Field Methods in Ethnography, HIST 402: Sexuality in 19th and 20th Century America, and my Japanese language courses. Courses in the College of Arts and Sciences use literature, ethnographies, and peer-reviewed research alike to learn about and understand the struggles of marginalized groups. All of the courses I’ve taken reinforce the anthropological lessons of cultural relativity and acceptance.
Extracurricular Engagement:
I was planning to study abroad in Tokyo in Spring 2020, but those plans understandably fell through. I have deferred my study abroad plans until Spring 2021. I am optimistic that I will eventually be able to fulfill my dream of studying abroad, and put my Japanese language skills to the test.
On campus, I am a member of AnthroGroup, UNL’s anthropology club. We go on field trips and listen to guest lectures on the topic of anthropology. I am also involved with the Kawasaki Reading Room for Japanese Studies and the Japanese Conversation Table. The room is a great educational resource, and I have built relationships with awesome people I might not have met otherwise. I strongly recommend finding a club that truly interests you to build community with people that share my interests.
Post-Graduation Plans:
I plan to participate in the Japanese Exchange and Teaching (JET) program, which sends people from around the globe to teach English or work in schools, boards of education, and government offices in Japan. Once I’ve completed the program, I might pursue English teaching in Japan, or return to the States to attend grad school and conduct anthropological research. I have many different interests so I can see myself in many different future careers!
More details at: http://sgis.unl.edu