- COURSE SYLLABUS
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- This study trip course on South Korea
explores cultural consequences of the dramatic and tumultuous transformation
of Korea, in four decades, from a war-torn agrarian society to an industrial
and post-industrial society with dynamic urban centers. Despite its small
territory (equivalent to the size of Indiana State) and relatively small
population (47 million people), Korea became the 11th largest
economy in the world. Such rapid economic change has been accompanied by
Koreaís recent rise to a major center of the global popular cultural
production in Asia. In particular, Korean films have enjoyed growing
popularity in the region. Employing the medium of film, we will explore
multifaceted meanings of the Korean War, industrialization, urbanization,
and the recent process of democratization in ordinary peopleís lives.
Throughout the semester, we will also read scholarly articles, as well as
fictional and non-fictional stories to understand the checkered historical
and social context of those meanings of social change as experienced by
ordinary women and men. Designed as an integral part of this course, the
two-week study trip to Korea will allow you to experience Korean people and
their fascinating cultural, historical, and physical landscapes.
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- Required Books (Available at
College Book Store and on Reserve)
- Corrigan, A Short Guide to Writing
about Film (Longman, 2001)
- Cumings, Koreaís Place in the Sun: A
Modern History (W.W. Norton, 1997).
- Nelson, Measured Excess: Status,
Gender, and Consumer Nationalism in South Korea (Columbia
University Press, 2000).
- Suh, Trans. The Rainy Spell and other
Korean Stories (M.E. Sharpe, 1998).
- Shin & Hwang, Contentious Kwangju: The
May 18 Uprising in Koreaís Past and Present (Rowman & Littlefield,
2003).
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- Required articles will be handed
out in class
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- Required films (available on
reserve if not indicated otherwise)
- Spring in my
Hometown (2000), dir. Yi, Kwang-mo (personal copy)
- To the Starry
Island (1993), dir. Pak, Kwang-su
- A Single Spark
(1995), dir. Pak, Kwang-su
- My Sassy Girl
(2001), dir. Kwak, Chae-yong
- Our Twisted Hero
(1992), dir. Pak, Chong-wŏn
- Peppermint Candy
(1997), dir. Yi, Chíang-dong
- Joint Security
Area (2000), dir. Park, Chían-wook
- Attack the Gas
Station (1999), dir. Kim, Sang-jin
- Take Care of My
Cat (2001), dir. Chŏng, Jae-ŭn
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- NOTE: Throughout the semester, there
will be a regular film screening at Sander 008 from 4:00-6:00 pm on
Wednesdays. I highly recommend that you make use of this screening time to
organize your academic activities. If not, you need to watch required films
before you come to Thursday classes when we will focus on the discussion of
film, informed by class readings and lectures. When you check out the film
for your individual viewing, be mindful of the following points: 1) Please
make sure that you return them on time, and the films will be available for
the regular screening. 2) To watch a Korean film in DVD form, you need to
use DVD players designed for ìall regions.î This is available in the
library.
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- Course Requirements and Grades:
- Two film review essays (4-5 pages)
informed by class readings (20% each)
- Oral presentation of a group of
individual project (20%)
- Final term paper based on your project
(30%)
- Attendance and participation (10%)
- At least one meeting with the
instructor by 2/15.
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- Class attendance and timely submission
of written assignments are fundamental aspects of our agreement on
democratic teaching and learning. Late papers without substantial reasons
will result in downgrading. Detailed instructions for course requirements
will be handed out.
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- Disabilities Statement:
- Academic accommodations are available
for students with disabilities who are registered with the Office of
Disability and Support Services. Please schedule an appointment with the
instructor early in the semester to discuss any accommodations for this
course which have been approved by the Director of Disability and Support
Services (X-7584) as indicated in your accommodation letter.
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