About this course: This course examines the transformation of Korean society beginning around the turn of the 20th century to contemporary times. In particular, it explores how shifting categories of masculinity, and by contrast, femininity have impacted upon, and in turn been influenced by social, cultural, and political change. Using multiple disciplinary lenses, we will critically examine how gender intersects with political, social, and economic developments starting with the Confucianization of Korean society during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910) up to the contemporary moment of globalization and neoliberal reform. The class will draw on a variety of topics such as traditional views of women, religion, race, class, education, patriarchy, sexuality, imperialism, modernity, war, globalization, the diaspora, among others. Special attention will be placed on the historical, transnational and transdisciplinary connections.
Created by:Â Â Yonsei University
Taught by:Â Â Hyun Mee Kim, Professor
Department of Cultural Anthropology
Taught by:Â Â Yoo Theodore Jun, Professor
College of Liberal Arts
| Level | Beginner |
| Language | English, Subtitles: Spanish, Korean, Chinese (Simplified) |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
The Gendering of Modernity and Military Authoritarianism
Broad overview of Korean history and literature beginning in the Joseon period with a particular focus on a series of social and cultural transformations that would have profound impact on the gender relations starting with Confucianism.
4 videos, 1 reading
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: WHO'S WHO?
- Leyendo: KOREAN WOMEN
- Video: 1.1 Joseon Dynasty and Confucianism
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: WOMEN IN CHOSON (JOSEON) KOREA
- Revisión por el compañero: KOREAN WOMEN UNDER CONFUCIANISM
- Video: 1.2 Novels in Colonial Period and the Emergence of the New Woman
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: POTATOES, LUCKY DAY, WINGS
- Video: 1.3 The Korean Civil War and Female Employment in Post War South Korea
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: OBALTAN (AIMLESS BULLET)
Graded: Who was Kim Sooim?
Graded: What is a "V-line?"
Graded: Who was Shin Saimdang
Graded: Over A T-Shirt??
WEEK 2
The (Un)making of the Modern Family
Introduction to the strategically gendered division of role in making modern Korean families and contemporary changes in the perception of marriage and family in Korea.
3 videos, 1 reading
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: What is the Role of Children in Korean Families?
- Video: 2.2 Changed Family Structure and Singletons
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: Why are young Koreans especially young Korean women unwilling to marry?
- Video: 2.3 Globalization of Korean Family
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: Globalization of Korean families?
- Leyendo: The (Un)making of the Modern Family Readings
Graded: The (Un)making of the Modern Family Quiz
Graded: The (un)making of the Korean families
WEEK 3
Female Beauty / Male Beauty & Body Aesthetics
Examine a range of topics including cosmetic surgery to male circumcision and body lines to understand how female and male beauty standards and aesthetics have changed over the past two centuries.
3 videos, 4 readings
- Leyendo: Chinese textbook helps boys find masculine side amid ‘gender crisis’ caused by effeminate men in Japanese, Korean culture
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: 101 East - Plastic Surgery: The Cost of Beauty
- Video: 3.2 Plastic Surgery Body Lines and Trends in Contemporary Korean Society
- Leyendo: Korea's First Plus-Size Model: Korea's Unrealistic Beauty Standard
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: Korea's First Plus Size Model Response
- Leyendo: From Metrosexual to Spornosexual – Two Decades of Male Deliciousness
- Video: 3.3 Neoliberalism and Stratified Korean Society
- Leyendo: Socioeconomic disparities intensifying: report
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: People & Power - South Korea: Suicide nation
Graded: How male K-Pop idols are redefining masculinity
WEEK 4
Sexuality in Korea
Discuss the issues of sexualities in contemporary Korea, ranging from the relationship between family and sexuality, commodified sexuality, to the issues of sexual minorities.
3 videos, 1 reading
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: Is being called "sexy" a sign of women's liberation or sexual freedom?
- Video: 4.2 Commercialization of Sexuality
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: Are sex workers agents of their own rights, or are they victims of trafficking?
- Video: 4.3 Sexual Minorities in Korea
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: Sexual minorities' struggles and achievements
- Leyendo: Sexuality in Korea Readings
Graded: Sexuality in Korea Quiz
Graded: What is sexuality?
WEEK 5
Looking Ahead into the Future...
Provide an overview of current positive changes in Korea related to gender and discuss impending issues of contemporary feminist movement and comfort women before concluding the lecture series.
4 videos, 3 readings
- Leyendo: THE GLOBAL GENDER GAP REPORT (2016)
- Cuadro de aviso de la discusión: Korea′s Policies for Gender Equality (Arirang TV)
- Leyendo: South Korea's golfing women: 'You're either a champion, or nothing'
- Video: 5.2 Feminism Movement in South Korea
- Video: 5.3 Comfort Women
- Video: 5.4 Conclusion
- Leyendo: Feminist Movements in Korea & Comfort Women
Graded: Bibliography
Graded: Conclusion Lectures Quiz
Graded: Feminism in the contemporary Korea
FAQs
How It Works
Trabajo del curso
Cada curso es como un libro de texto interactivo, con videos pregrabados, cuestionarios y proyectos.
Ayuda de tus compañeros
Conéctate con miles de estudiantes y debate ideas y materiales del curso, y obtén ayuda para dominar los conceptos.
Certificados
Obtén reconocimiento oficial por tu trabajo y comparte tu éxito con amigos, compañeros y empleadores.
Creators
Yonsei University
Yonsei University was established in 1885 and is the oldest private university in Korea.
Yonsei’s main campus is situated minutes away from the economic, political, and cultural centers of Seoul’s metropolitan downtown. Yonsei has 3,500 eminent faculty members who are conducting cutting-edge research across all academic disciplines. There are 18 graduate schools, 22 colleges and 133 subsidiary institutions hosting a selective pool of students from around the world.
Yonsei is proud of its history and reputation as a leading institution of higher education and research in Asia.
Ratings and Reviews
Excellent course. I strongly recommend it for anyone interested in Korean culture. I took it because I am writing about KPOP and sexuality but I learnt much more and am really glad I did it.
I highly recommend taking the course to anyone who wishes to learn more about Gender, Family and Social Change in Contemporary South Korea. The lectures were very interesting and comprehensive. I enjoyed watching and reading materials and, also, writing assignments very much! I am sure you will be as satisfied as I am after you finish this course.
This is a very great course I'd like to recommend to everyone who is interested about Korea society.
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It was an interesting course. I've learned lots of new contents and information related to Korean society, and delved into some other topics, which were more familiar.
Texts, articles, and videos suggested are engaging, and fundamental in order to better understand the subjects.