Modern Korea (ASIA 2040)

This course will introduce students to the history of Korea from 1800 to the present with an emphasis on modernity, gender, war and capitalism. Using primary sources, literary works, documentary, and film, we will explore such topics as: the genealogy of modern Korean nationalism through peasant and aristocratic rebellions in the 19th century; the tangled relationship between Korea and Japan during the period of Japanese colonial rule (19120-1945); how North Korea became communist and specifically women in the creation of North Korea; the scars of the Korean War (1950-53); counter-cultural movements in 1970s and 80s South Korea; and contemporary challenges facing South and North Korea. This course will give students a thorough grounding in Korean history, and introduce them to major interpretative currents in the study of Korean history.

Religion

Religion and Nationalism in Korea & Japan (ASIA 2048)

It is reasonably well known that relations between Korea and Japan have been far from cordial throughout the twentieth century. The reasons for this, however, are less well known. On account of Japan's imperialism and in particular its colonisation of Korea from 1910 to 1945, the nationalisms of Korea and Japan have been characterised as defensive and aggressive nationalisms respectively. Indeed, Korean nationalism has long been viewed as a response to Japanese imperialism. Accordingly, when the relation of religion to nationalism in each country is considered, it is often portrayed in the one case as a humanistic impulse to oppose the manifold injustices of colonial domination of one nation by another, and in the other case as a dehumanising, somewhat fascist means of justifying oppression abroad and suppression at home. In both cases, moreover, the nationalist function of a religion is regarded as the origin of, or cause of interest in, the religion.

Through a systematic historical examination of the rise of nationalism and its religious connections in Korea and Japan since the mid-nineteenth century, this course aims to question these common perspectives. The course will commence with an examination of the domestic and international challenges facing East Asia in the 19th century, and will move thence to examination of the origins and development of "modern nationalism" in Korea and Japan, comparing their varieties of restoration, reform, reaction and rebellion, and the paths by which the two nationalisms collided in the early 20th century. Throughout the course, we will pursue two major objectives. First, particular attention will be paid to the pre-imperialist, pre-colonial development of nationalist movements in the two countries and their continuing legacies in order to dispel the myths that nationalism and aggression were inextricably related in Japan and that Korean nationalism was a creation of Japanese imperialism. Second, the origins, spread and content of the relevant religions will be analysed in some detail, so that pictures of religion serving the interests of nationalism will be balanced by examples of religious independence from and opposition to nationalist worldviews.

Security Studies

The following courses are offered through the Centre for Asian Societies and Histories, and although are not specifically related to Korean Studies, do have elements of Korea related topics.

Security and Strategic Studies A (ASIA2028 )

Semester 1, 2008 Dr Bina D'Costa

Understanding security is essential to an understanding of the international environment. Security in this course includes the security of individual people, the security of families, clans, ethnic or other sub-national groups, the security of nation states and the security of the entire globe. It encompasses economic, social, cultural and environmental well-being as well as security from the more conventional forms of hostility and war. This course is designed to introduce students to the complexities of modern national and international security. By the end of this two-semester program, students should have a clear understanding of the nature of the major powers in Asia, the key issues that drive their security policies in this region, the most serious points of pressure and international tension and the forms of international tension and conflict that are most likely to characterise this region in the coming quarter of a century.

Security and Strategic Studies B (ASIA2030)

Semester 2, 2008 Dr Bina D'Costa  

The purpose of the second semester is to extend understanding of the different dimensions of security in the Asia-Pacific region, nuclear biological and chemical weapons proliferation; economic and energy security; issues such as terrorism and counter-terrorism and trans-national crime as a security challenge; environmental pressures and resource competition; and ethnic conflict and separatism. The course will also look at different approaches to promoting security, and will consider the issues of regional order, alliances, international law, NGOs and civil society, intervention and peace operations as examples of the range of approaches. By the end of this two semester course, students should have a clear understanding of the nature of the major powers in Asia, the key issues that drive their security policies in this region, the most serious points of pressure and international tension and the forms of international tension and conflict that are most likely to characterise this region in the coming quarter of a century.

Human Security: Conflict, Displacement and Peace Building (ASIA2047)

Semester 1, 2008 Dr Bina D'Costa

In recent years, 'human security' problems and issues have gained increasing attention on global and regional security agendas as essential priorities alongside more traditional or military (or 'national') security concerns. The traditional definition of security premised on military defence of a territory puts human security and social factors at the periphery. Advocates for a human security approach argue that to insist on a narrower state-centric security paradigm at the expense of human security would leave the concept of security bereft of any practical meaning in many real-world circumstances. What is human security, and what kinds of security issues, problems or conflicts can it be applied to? How do human security perspectives generate different approaches and policies to traditional security thinking? In what ways does a human security approach provide innovative perspectives to address sources of insecurity more holistically? This course will critically examine the human security concept and a range of key human security issues in the Asian region, including intra-state and ethnic conflict, post-conflict peace building, displaced persons and refugees, landmines and small arms, the protection of children in conflict, and poverty and human development.

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Spoken Korean 1 (KORE 1020)

This course introduces students to modern spoken Korean and to its writing system, Hangeul. It lays the foundations for later Korean language courses.

Spoken Korean 2 (KORE 1021)

Spoken Korean 2 completes the beginner's course in modern Spoken Korean. The emphasis is firmly on the acquisition of an ability to use the language, and by the end of the course students will be able to conduct a simple daily conversation and to find their way around in Korea.

Spoken Korean 3 (KORE 2020)

This course extends the students command of modern Spoken Korean. While focusing on various themes relevant to daily lives, this course introduces basic functions in Korean; including requesting, offering, thanking, apologising, asking for and giving directions.

Spoken Korean 4 (KORE 2021)

This course continues to pursue more complex themes in daily life, such as money matters, immigration, education and employment, this course also provides a systematic practice of a wide range of functions in Korean.

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