Class Objective

This course is an introductory course on modern Korean culture and society from the Korean War (1950-1953) to the present. Two films portraying traditional Korean society will also be shown to provide deeper understanding of pre-modern Korea. The screening of one film each week will be followed by discussion and analysis during the regular class meeting. Through the course, students will learn socio-cultural aspects and value systems of modern Korea. Students will also observe how the global changes in the 1970s and 1980s influenced Koreans’ lives, consider Korean social issues of the 21st century, and briefly review the development of the contemporary Korean cinema industry.

* The selected films are shown every Monday 5-7pm and the additional screening is available on student's request at the Geddes Center. The film viewing is mandatory for the course. Students may need to view a film twice or more for the assignments.
** Knowledge of Korean is not required for this course. All reading material is in English.
*** The films will be presented with English subtitles.

Grading Policy

1. Class participation and attendance (10%)
2. Reaction sheet (15%)
3. Essays (20%)
4. Midterm (25%)
5. Final (30%)

Textbook

Hyangjin Lee (2000), Contemporary Korean Cinema: Identity, Culture, and Politics. Manchester University Press.

Eungjun Min, et al (2003) Korean Film: History, Resistance, and Democratic Imagination. Praeger Publishers.

Other readings are specified and provided in class.

Main Topics for Semester

• Korean War and 1950s Korea
• Post-War Classics
• Traditional Korean Society: Chosun Dynasty 18C-19C
• Women in Korean Films
• Korean Gangster-Comedy Fusion
• Korean Drama in the 1960s
• Labor movement in the 1970s
• Buddhism and Korean religions
• Korean School Culture