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Cultures and Contexts: Korea CORE-UA 543 / Spring 2014 Lecture and Recitation Sections TuTh 11:00 am - 12:15 pm SILV 206 We Jung Yi (Section 1) Fri 8:00 am - 9:15 am 7E12 LL31 Myung Ho Hyun (Section 2) Fri 9:30 am - 10:45 am 7E12 LL31 Myung Ho Hyun (Section 3) Fri 9:30 am - 10:45 am SILV 414 April Goehrke (Section 4) Fri 11:00 am - 12:15 pm SILV 509 April Goehrke (Section 5) Course Faculty Instructor: Dr. We Jung Yi (Dept. of East Asian Studies) E-mail: [email protected] Office: 19 University Place, 514 Office hours: Wed 3:30 pm - 5:30 pm and by appointment Preceptors: Myung Ho Hyun ([email protected]) Office hours: Tu 2:00 pm - 4: 00 pm April Goehrke ([email protected]) Office hours: Th 2:00 pm - 4: 00 pm Office: 19 University Place, BO-2 Course Description This course is designed as a multi-disciplinary introduction to Korean society and culture. In surveying Korean history from antiquity to the present, we will examine a wide range of primary sources from the past, including archaeological relics, written records, and works of art; as well as contemporary materials by Korean authors, directors, and other cultural producers, together with scholarly commentaries about these materials. In the first part of the course that covers the origins of Korean “tradition,” we will observe the formation and development of social relations, popular beliefs, and systems of thought that have shaped the Korean way of life. Our historical analysis of these texts will also locate their resonances and ramifications in modern Korea, particularly in cultural representations. In the second part of the course, we will discuss Korea’s transformation through its encounter with the West, its modern experiences and national struggle under colonial rule, social upheavals after liberation, and the Korean War. Finally, by tracing the enduring impacts of the unresolved past on contemporary society, we will look at Korea today in terms of economic development and crisis, the democracy movement and its limitations, relations with North Korea and with the US, and sociocultural diversification in the age of globalization. By situating these topics within the broader contexts of East Asia and the world, we will seek to gain a richer and more nuanced view of Korea on the global map. The overall goal of this course is to develop your abilities to engage in cross-cultural understanding. Through a review of Korean materials from a variety of genres and media, you will not only learn about and from Korean history and culture, but also enhance your skills in 1 reading closely, thinking critically, and writing effectively. In exploring Korean culture as a space of complex formations and dynamic interactions, you will be trained to question, analyze, and appreciate different modes of cultural production in their specific political and social contexts. Statement for Students with Disabilities: Students with disabilities must notify the instructor at the beginning of the course and provide a letter from the Moses Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD, 998-4980, www.nyu.edu/csd) that verifies your registration and outlines the accommodations recommended by CSD. Statement on Academic Integrity: All members of this course will abide by the university’s Academic Integrity Policy. All forms of academic dishonesty, including cheating, plagiarism, and “recycling” papers are subject to disciplinary action according to the university’s Code of Ethical Conduct. Attendance and Punctuality: Regular attendance is mandatory and each unexcused absence* will result in the deduction of three percentage points from the final grade. Students arriving more than ten minutes late for class or leaving the classroom early will be considered absent for that session. Missing class more than six times, excused or unexcused, is a sufficient ground for failing this course. * You will not be penalized for missing classes due to either a) medical emergency or b) religious observance, provided that you notify the professor with details in advance. Class Decorum: Please do not eat in class unless you are prepared to share with the rest of us. Make sure to turn off your cell phone and other electronic communication devices before the class begins. Course Requirements and Grading Criteria Attendance and Participation 20% Two Quizzes 10% Four Short Papers 30% Midterm: Take-home Essay 15% Final: In-class Exam 25% 1. Preparation and Participation 1. Attendance and Participation (20%) This course will meet three times per week, twice for lectures and once for recitation. You are required to attend both lectures and the recitation section each week. You are expected to have completed assignments and to be actively engaged at every session. Participation will be graded based upon the quantity and quality of your contributions to the class. 2 Grading Scale for Preparation and Participation 5 thoughtful and engaged; facilitates and encourages classmates’ participation 4 good participation based on adequate preparation 3~2 present but not participating; or clearly unprepared 1~0 present but disruptive to or disrespectful of classmates or instructor (may be asked to leave) 2. Two Quizzes (10%: 3% + 7%) There will be in-class quizzes in Week 3 and Week 7: the first is a map quiz on February 13 (3%) and the second quiz about a Korean TV drama series is on March 13 (7%; Please note that this drama series will not be shown during class time. See descriptions of Weekly Video Assignments below.). Quizzes are likely to focus on geography, periodization, and identification. No make-up quizzes will be given. 3. Four Short Papers (30%: 6% + 7% + 8% + 9%) Over the course of the semester, everyone must turn in four short papers. The first short paper assignment is a brief report on your visit to the exhibition “Silla: Korea’s Golden Kingdom” at the Metropolitan Museum of Art (November 20, 2013 – February 23, 2014). A question will be given for each of the remaining three short papers one week before each due date. You should answer the given question by utilizing the materials you have read or watched for the course. You may not refer to outside sources. A hard copy of your short paper should be handed in to your recitation instructor at the beginning of your recitation section. Due dates are as follows: The first paper (6%): two pages (double-spaced) due 2/14 The second paper (7%): three pages (double-spaced) due 2/28 The third paper (8%): four pages (double-spaced) due 4/18 The fourth paper (9%): five pages (double-spaced) due 5/2 4. Midterm Essay (15%) The midterm exam will be a take-home essay (six pages, double-spaced). The question will be posted on March 28th and the due date is April 1st. Please submit your midterm essay to your recitation instructor before the lecture. Grading Scale for Essays A (99-90): original, thorough analysis; well-organized, articulate writing; and perfect or near-perfect documentation B (89-80): substantial analysis; coherent writing; and good documentation C (79-70): acceptable analysis, writing, and documentation that contains some flaws D (69-60): lack of analysis; poor writing; little or no documentation F (BE 59): no submission; failure to meet the page requirements; or plagiarism Late Work Policy: Work submitted within five weekdays will be penalized by half a grade for every day that it is late (so if it is late by one day, an assignment marked as an “A” will be changed to an “A-”). Work submitted more than five days after the due date without an agreed- upon extension will be given a zero. 3 5. In-class Final Exam (25%) There will be a comprehensive final exam, held in class on the university-assigned final exam date. The exam will consist of three sections: 1) Short answer questions that require a one- paragraph response to each item. A good answer will not only describe a given term, but explain its significance in some depth; 2) Two long answer questions that require two or three paragraphs each. To address the given question properly, your answer should include an analysis using specific examples from the readings; 3) One essay question drawn from the multi-media sources viewed throughout the course. Texts Books to be purchased: Hildi Kang, Under the Black Umbrella: Voices from Colonial Korea, 1910-1945 Peter H. Lee et al., Sources of Korean Tradition I Peter H. Lee et al., Sources of Korean Tradition II All other texts will be available on the course website. Weekly Video Assignments During the first half of the semester, you must watch 18 episodes of the South Korean TV drama, “Tree with Deep Roots.” You may use the DVD set placed on reserve, or online streaming services to watch the series. Films on Reserve Among the multimedia sources used in class, the following four films (which will be screened in full length during class sessions) have been placed on reserve: The King and the Clown (dir., LEE Jun-ik, 2005) Chunhyang (dir., IM Kwon-taek, 2000) Welcome to Dongmakgol (dir., PARK Kwang-hyun, 2005) Peppermint Candy (dir., LEE Chang-dong, 1999) Schedule and Readings [Since this syllabus is worked out in advance as a guide to the course, I reserve the right to modify it from time to time during the semester, based on my assessment of class ability and progress. Should a change be made, an announcement will be given in advance.] Part I. “Tradition” Week 1. Introduction: The “Origins” of Korea 1/28 Korean “Territory” and Korean “People” 1/30 Foundation Myths and Shamanism In-class Screening: The King and the Clown (dir., LEE Jun-ik, 2005) 1/31 RECITATION: Where to Locate “Korea” and How to Characterize “Korean Culture” 4 Readings: Sources I, Chapters 1 and 2 Roy Richard Grinker, “Mourning, Loss, Resentment: Han,” in Korea and Its Futures Week 2.
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