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

Topic

Introduction to Korean Culture

Instructors

Dahye Kim
847/491-1350
1880 Campus Drive, Kresge 4-441
Office Hours: varies by quarter, please contact instructor

Meeting Info

Kresge Centennial Hall 2-425: Tues, Thurs 3:30PM - 4:50PM

Overview of class

AY26-27. In an era when global migration and diasporic ways of life have become more commonplace than ever, how do we understand questions of Korean culture and identity? This course approaches this question through a historical inquiry into the discursive construction of Korean national subjectivity and its political, social, and cultural consequences. Beginning with the Chosŏn dynasty's encounter with the modern world system of nation-states in the nineteenth century, the course equips students with critical frameworks for exploring modern Korean culture and art. The term culture in the course title is broadly defined, encompassing not only works of art and cultural texts but also systems of thought and social practices developed throughout modern Korean history.

The course explores a broad range of questions: What is Korean literature, and how is it tied to the modern theorization and understanding of literature (munhak)? What do we make of the fact that the very notion of autonomous art and culture is a modern construction? What is national cinema, and what roles do literature, film, and art play in the construction of national subjectivity and identity? How have Korean writers and artists navigated the complex and ongoing process of identity formation amid the tumultuous histories of colonialism, national division, diasporic displacement, and authoritarian rule? While encouraging students to question assumptions about a homogeneous nation or national culture with an unchanging, seemingly "natural" essence, the course situates Korean art and culture within the broader history of modern Korea.

Learning Objectives

By the end of the class, students are expected to:
1. Grasp the historicity of cultural and epistemological concepts, including national culture.
2. Comprehend the intimate relationship between art, culture, identity formation, and political consciousness.
3. Historically situate canonical examples of modern Korean literature and films, recognizing their pivotal role in the development of national consciousness.
4. Analyze individual Korean artworks within the context of the artistic and cultural movements of each historical period, delving into their deeper social, ideological, and political connotations.
5. Comprehensively understand the modern history of Korea with a particular emphasis on the political and cultural history of South Korea, while acknowledging its interconnectedness with various diasporic Korean identities and cultures.

Teaching Method

• Discussion complemented with lectures. Students are required to participate actively in class discussions and in-class activities. Active participation necessitates completing all assigned readings before coming to class and being prepared to contribute to a lively and informed class discussion.

Evaluation Method

Grades will largely be determined by student comprehension of lectures and readings, discussion, and a combination of smaller and in-depth writing assignments.

Class Materials (Required)

Required materials include academic articles and cultural texts, such as novels, short stories, and films. All materials will be uploaded to or linked through Canvas.

Class Attributes

Literature and Arts Foundational Discipline
SoC Humanities and Fine Arts Distro