Intro to Korean Philosophy

3 Credits · Level: Graduate, Undergraduate

Confucianism is one of the major philosophical traditions in East Asia; it has contributed in diverse and enduring ways to East Asian people’s understanding of themselves and the world. Korea is known as the “most Confucian culture in the world today.” To understand Korea, its past and present, it is critical to understand the historical and contemporary impact of Confucianism. This course offers a brief history of Korean Confucian philosophy and its impact on language, identity, human relationships, economy, education, politics, gender, sexuality, and more. We will study not only past but also present contemporary expressions of Confucian thought and culture. In the latter part of the class, students will be encouraged to imagine the future of Korean Confucianism.