Introductory Topics in Korean Literature and Culture (240-0-20)

Topic

The End of a World: South Korean Fictions, Films,

Instructors

Jeong Eun Annabel We
847/467-5941
Kresge 1880 Campus Drive, #4-419
Office Hours: varies by quarter

Meeting Info

Parkes Hall 212: Mon, Wed 11:00AM - 12:20PM

Overview of class

AY26 What does one talk about when one talks about disasters? Whose world ends in "end of the world" narratives? This course invites students to read and watch South Korean and diasporic narratives centered around disasters, both real and fictional, to engage questions of politics, representation, and inequalities that shape disaster narratives.

Ranging from disasters of the past to more contemporary ones such as pandemics and Sewol ferry, the disasters examined in this course have sparked complex conversations surrounding a more just society and the doomed end of the "normal." Engaging scholarship on disasters, speculative fictions, critical race theory, and gender studies, the course introduces students to the varied academic and cultural responses to disasters and the underlying stakes that drive these responses.
Students will be assigned a variety of texts to analyze, such as film, paintings, novels, webtoons, and news, as well as choosing a disaster narrative of their own interest to examine. No prior knowledge of Korean culture or language are required to take this course. Students are expected to actively participate in class and work in groups on collaborative projects as well as producing three short papers.

Learning Objectives

Develop the skills to build layered and well-reasoned arguments on Korean literature and culture.
Practice expressing advanced, multi-stage arguments in both writing and verbal presentation. Provide analyses of adequate and well-chosen evidence.
Identify the differences between literary and cultural representation, what is represented, and positionality. Adopt analytical approaches to scenes and texts paying attention to different elements of the material.

Teaching Method

Discussion, Short Lecture

Evaluation Method

Presentation, Short Papers, Final Project, Participation

Class Materials (Required)

1. The Disaster Tourist: A Novel by Yun Ko-eun. ISBN: 1640094164
2. City of Ash and Red: A Novel by Hye-young Pyun.
ISBN: 1628727810
3. "My Daughter is a Zombie" - Lee Yun-chang. Naver Webtoon

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
Literature & Fine Arts Distro Area

Enrollment Requirements

Enrollment Requirements: Reserved for students majoring or minoring in Asian Languages & Cultures or International Studies until the end of preregistration, after which time enrollment will be open to everyone who has taken the prerequisites, if applicable.