KOR1504 – Korea: History, Society, Politics
Course description
Course content
Through the course of its "compressed modernization", Korea has been undergoing drastic changes at the neckbreaking speed from the end of the 19th C. onward, being first turned into a highly regimented colony of Japan and then divided between two Cold War states, which solidified their power systems in a fratricidal war.
This course is aimed at understanding:
- what sort of influence the pre-modern tradition, colonial regimentation and Cold War militarism exerted upon the societies in both South and North Korea
- what factors were decisive in South Korea’s high-speed economic development and institutional democratization
- what strategies the disadvantaged groups of the South Korean society (workers, migrants, women, etc.) have been employing in the struggle for their rights
Specially highlighted is the issue of the social costs of the processes of capital accumulation and centralized, government-led industrialization in both South and North Korea.
Learning outcome
- This course gives a historically informed overview of politics and society in South and North Korea, focusing on state structures, systems of corporate governance, relationships between the bureaucracy and corporate bourgeoisie, developments in the perceptions of the external world and foreign relationship, positions of workers, women and migrants, and ecological problems.
- Students should also learn about the two Korea’s complex entanglements in the international trade an investment networks and interstate hegemonic structures.
- The aim is to present basic knowledge about Korea’s modern and contemporary history, politics and society, to introduce the students to the literature on the subject and to discuss various ways of understanding and interpreting Korea’s modern developments.
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with KOR4504.
- 5 credits overlap with KOR1501.
- 5 credits overlap with KOR1503.
Teaching
The course consists of lectures, in total 10 classes of 2 hours each. Active participation in the classes is encouraged.
Compulsory activities
- A preliminary draft of the term paper. The draft should be approximately 2-3 pages long and encompass title, subtitle, chapter titles, brief contents of each chapter, and a literature list. The draft is to be submitted in Canvas within the given deadline (to be announced).
An approved draft is only valid for one semester.
The student must pass all compulsory activities in order to qualify for the exam. You should familiarize yourself with the guidelines for compulsory activities at the Faculty of Humanities.
In the event of illness you must notify the study advisor before the deadline runs out. You must obtain a medical certificate and deliver or send it to the study advisor no later than three business days after the exam.
Examination
The exam is a term paper of 10 pages (2300 characters per page, not including spaces) on a subject approved by the teacher. Front page and list of references come in addition.
You must pass all compulsory activities in order to qualify for the exam.
Language of examination
English
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.