KOR 275 - History of Korea through 1945

This survey-level course introduces students to the history of Korea from early times through 1945. From ancient civilization to the end of Japanese colonial rule, the course examines key moments, figures, and themes that speak to the varied experiences of the people who inhabited the Korean peninsula. Students will explore, apply, and reflect on the humanities perspective by learning about the historical continuities and transformations in Korean society, culture, politics, and government across time. Through a combination of diverse modalities of learning including in-person lectures and discussions and online assignments students will be immersed in humanities methods (esp. history) that connect close readings of primary sources with their historical context. Core questions of the class are related to Korea's place in East Asia, the formations of political orders, the making of identities and cultures from above and below, and the continuities and transformations in Korean society over time.