ASN 130 Introduction to Korean Society and Culture
We will explore key events that shaped modern and contemporary Korean society and culture. We will explore the racial and gendered formation of Korean culture and national identity from the early 1900s to the twenty-first century. Some of the key historical events we will address throughout the semester include Japanese colonialism, the Korean War, the US military presence in South Korea in the aftermath of the Korean War, contemporary global sporting events such as the 1988 Seoul Olympics and 2018 Pyeongchang Olympics, transnational popularity of South Korean popular culture, and the feminist and queer activist movements. The objective of the class is for us to answer the questions: How have these historical events influenced Korea and its inhabitants’ conception of the nation and its positionality in the world? How has Korean culture evolved over time through transnational encounters? Alongside academic books and articles, we will be viewing and discussing visual media, including documentaries, fictional films, and music videos. All of the course instruction and assigned materials will be in English or have English subtitles.
Prerequisite
None
Corequisite
None