HISTORY OF KOREA 1

This is a general survey course on pre-modern Korean history, dealing with the context of political, economic, social, and cultural dimensions from the ancient period to the early nineteenth century. In addition, we will pay special attention to the “traditional” period, particularly including Koryŏ (918-1392) and Chosŏn (1392-1910) dynasties while discussing Korea’s diverse native innovations, thoughts and religious traditions. Although this is an introductory course, we will deal with many present and thorny issues relevant to the whole Northeast Asia such as Chinese-Korean and Japanese-Korean disputes. Thus, the class will handle the way Korea had related to China and Japan, and the crucial role Korea played in the cultural and political development of Northeast Asia. Also, we will talk about the legacy of traditional Korean culture such as Buddhism and Neo-Confucianism in the present and its implications for the future. At last, not the least, this class also will touch upon an issue of traditional Korean encounter with a new international society, so called European international society, including Christianity and its persecution.

Students will be euipped with basic but crucial understanding of Korean traditional society and culture. Thus, students will confidently go to the next level of understadning with this class.

No specific prerequisites for this class. Reading and Active Participation will be strongly encouraged. But final exam will decide the full grade.

Week 1, Orientation and Introduction to Course
Week 2, The Old States and Their Cultures
Week 3, The Founding of the Three Kingdoms and Ancient East Asia
Week 4, Silla “Unification,” Founding of Parhae and Parhae’s Relations with “Unified” Silla
Week 5, Koryŏ Founding, Its Political and Economic Structure, and Its Relation with China
Week 6, Military Rule, Mongolian Invasion, Koryŏ Response and Late Koryŏ Development
Week 7, Neo-Confucianism as the Ideological Foundation of the Chosŏn Dynasty and Social Changes
Week 8, The Rise of the Neo-Confucian Literati, Early Chosŏn Politics, and Women Issues
Week 9, The Struggle against the Japanese and Manchus and its Impact
Week 10, Economic Advances and Intellectual Ferment (Sillhak)
Week 11, Confucianism and Its Spread I: Ancestor Worship
Week 12, Confucianism and Its Spread II: Women and Nationhood
Week 13, Alternative or Sub-Culture? Popular Religion, Catholicism, Marginalized People’s Movement in Late Chosŏn Dynasty
Week 14, Chosŏn-Qing Dynasty Tributary Relations in the Late Chosŏn Period
Week 15, At the End of the Traditional Society

There is a reading packet in front of our Asian Studies Library.

1. Eckert, Carter J. et al. Korea Old and New: A History. Seoul: Ilchogak, 1990.
2. Hwang, Hyung Moon. A History of Korea: An Episodic Narrative. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, 2010.
3. Ebrey, Patricia, Anne Walthal, and James Palais, East Asia: A Cultural, Social, and Political History. Boston and New York: Houghton Mifflin Company, 2009 (2nd edition).
4. Lee, Peter H., and Wm. Theodore de Bary, eds. Sources of Korean Tradition, volume I. New York: Columbia University Press, 1997.
5. Ch’oe, Yongho, Peter H. Lee, and Wm. Theodore de Bary, eds. Sources of Korean Tradition, volume II. New York: Columbia University Press, 2000.

Final Exam in January, 2020 (25 short answer questions and 2 essay questions).

The lecturer will deliver his lectures in the class. Powepoint slides and video clips will be heavily used. Presentations are available on the moodle platform.

English

See: "moodle" for powerpoint presentations of the lessons, syllabus and further materials. Bring many questions!

written

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Climate change and energy" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development