KOR1504 - Korea: History, Society, Politics
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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 democratisation, and 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 outcomes
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
Students at UiO must apply for courses in StudentWeb.
International applicants, if you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures for international applicants.
The examination in this course is not available for external candidates. Only students admitted to the course may sit for the examination.
Prerequisites
Recommended prior knowledge
Good knowledge of English.
Overlap
5 credits against KOR1501 - Koreas samfunn og politikk. 5 credits against KOR1503 - Koreas historie.
Teaching
The course is based on a combination of lectures and seminars, in total 10 classes of 2 hrs each. Active participation in the seminars is encouraged.
A draft sketch of the final essay (see "Exam information") must be approved by the teacher in order to sit for the exam. The sketch should be ca. 2-3 pages long and encompass title, subtitle, chapter titles, brief contents of each chapter, and a literature list.
An approved draft sketch is only valid for one semester.
See Guidelines for obligatory instructional activity at HF.
Teaching takes place throughout the semester.
Criteria for access to teaching resources
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, contingent on available capacity.
Exam information
The students write an essay (term paper) with a list of references. The essay should be ca. 3000 words, not including the list of references. The topic of the essay should be approved by the teacher in the beginning of the semester, and a draft sketch of the essay is presented halfway through the semester for preliminary evaluation. The submission of the draft sketch is the prerequisite for being allowed to take the exam (see "Teaching" for more information).
The term paper is to be submitted in Fronter within a given deadline. Before submitting the paper, the student must electronically sign an Obligatory statement concerning cheating in Fronter.
Language of examination
English
Assessment and grading
Course grades are awarded on a descending scale using alphabetic grades from A to E for passes and F for fail. Read more about the grading system .
An external auditor regularly evaluates the academic quality of the course, including the form of exam used on the course.
Explanations and appeals
Students can request an explanation of their grades, and can also appeal against their grades or make a complaint about formal examination errors. Read more about explanations and appeals
Possibility of make-up exams and re-takes
You can usually resit an exam, but the conditions depend on whether you had a valid reason for absence from the regular exam. Read more about resitting an exam .
Withdrawing from exams and limits on re-takes
A student can sit for this exam up to 3 times. If a student wishes to withdraw from the exam, s/he must do this in StudentWeb at least two weeks prior to the first day of the exam. Failure to do so will be counted as one of the three opportunities to sit for the exam.
Exam options for students with special needs
Students may apply for access to alternative exam resources or exam forms on the basis of chronic illness and/or special needs that create a marked disadvantage to other students in the exam situation. Mothers who are breastfeeding may apply for extra time to complete the exam.
Evaluation of this course
Feedback from our students is essential to us in our efforts to ensure and further improve the high quality of our programmes and courses. As a student at the University of Oslo you will therefore be asked to participate in various types of evaluation of our courses, facilities and services. All courses are subject to continuous evaluation. At regular intervals we also ask students on a particular course to participate in a more comprehensive, in-depth evaluation of this course, a so called "periodic evaluation".
Periodic evaluation Autumn 2008
Contact us
Department of Culture Studies and Oriental Languages
Visiting address:
P.A. Munchs hus level 4
Visiting hours:
Mon-Fri: 12:30 - 15:00
Postal address:
PO Box 1010 Blindern
N-0315 Oslo
Fax: 22 85 48 28
E-mail: henvendelser@ikos.uio.no
Web: http://www.hf.uio.no/ikos/