Korea has a long history with a rich cultural heritage and dynamic political and socioeconomic changes. Situated at the crossroads of East Asia, Korea has played a significant role in shaping pre-modern and modern transformations within the region and beyond. The division of the Korean peninsula into North and South Korea since 1945 has made Korea as a strategically important player in the politics of the Cold War whose impact still remains significant in driving geopolitical and security issues. The Korean Studies minor provides students with a solid foundation for developing a sophisticated understanding of the dynamics that have shaped Korea and its relationship to the world. The minor consists of a wide range of courses on history, politics, society and culture, offering an interdisciplinary and transnational perspective. Students will gain nuanced understanding of the past and the present of the peninsula and great insights into current affairs related to North and South Korea.
The Korean Studies minor is designed to complement Korean language major, though knowledge of Korean is not required for courses in the Korea Studies minor.
Learning Outcomes
- Understand and evaluate historical and current events and developments that have shaped Korea,
- Develop critical thinking skills to critique the contemporary socio-cultural and political systems of Korea,
- Analyse developments in Korea in their regional and global contexts,
- Understand the processes and disciplinary approaches through which current knowledge about Korean studies has developed.
Other Information
Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to take a language proficiency assessment to ensure enrolment at the most appropriate level.
Relevant past experience includes:
- Previous study of the language (both formal and informal, for example, but not limited to, at school, or, home, or through online activities, etc.)
- Being exposed to the language in childhood via a family member or friend
- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken
- The language being spoken in your home (even if you do not speak it yourself)
Students who are not sure if they need to take a proficiency assessment should seek advice from the course or language convenor.
Students who intentionally misrepresent their language proficiency level may be investigated under the Academic Integrity Rule 2021 as having failed to comply with assessment directions and having sought unfair advantage. This may result in a penalty such as reduced grades or failure of the course.
Students are not permitted to enrol in a language course below one that they have already successfully completed, except with permission of the language and/or course convenor.
Areas of Interest
- Anthropology
- Cultural Studies
- Gender Studies
- History
- Asian Studies
- Asia Pacific Studies
- Asia-Pacific Studies
- Film
- Politics
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This minor requires the completion of 24 units, which must consist of:
6 units from the following compulsory course:
ASIA2040 The Making of Modern Korea
6 units from the following list of contextual courses:
ASIA1025 Asia and the Pacific: Power, diversity and change
ASIA1030 Asia and the Pacific in Motion
12 units from the completion of the following Korean Studies courses:
ASIA2006 Gender in Korean History
ASIA2049 Politics and Society in Contemporary Korea
ASIA2074 Popular Culture in East Asia
ASIA2096 North Korea: History, Culture, Politics
ASIA3031 Cultures in Korean Society
ASIA3088 The Korean War
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