David Bialock

David Bialock is an Associate Professor in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at the University of Southern California. His research focuses on premodern Japanese literature, classical poetry, ecocriticism, and the intersection of music with medieval Japanese literature and ritual. He holds a B.A. in Classical Greek and French from the University of Michigan (no specific year stated), an M.A. and Ph.D. in East Asian Languages and Cultures from Columbia University, and completed a postdoctoral fellowship at Stanford University (1996–1997).

His research explores themes such as the Tale of the Heike, medieval Japanese mythology, and environmental humanities, often situating Japanese literature within broader interdisciplinary frameworks. He has published extensively on topics including biwa music’s role in narrative, literary reception history, and ecological criticism.

• Awards: Japan Foundation Fellowship (2003–2004), Andrew Mellon Post-doctoral Fellowship (1996–1997), and a Fulbright-Hays Grant (1992–1993).

Bialock has led the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at USC (2011–2014) and contributed to major projects like the Cambridge History of Japanese Literature. His work bridges literary analysis with cultural, environmental, and religious dimensions of medieval Japan.