Representing Modern Korea: Japanese Names and Squid Games

3 units

This course explores various issues and themes in contemporary South Korean culture. This course also draws on historical themes in modern Korea to explain current cultural phenomena. The first half of the course will provide a general outline of Korean society in terms of geography, population demographics, language, religion, and the political system. Previous knowledge of these aspects of Korean society will not be assumed. Rather, a foundation in contemporary Korean culture will be provided while encouraging students with varying levels of familiarity with these themes to delve more deeply into the subject matter. In the second half of the course, we turn our attention to current issues in Korea, including but not limited to popular protest movements, North-South relations, immigration and multiculturalism, language and etiquette, business culture, food and drink, education, class, and capitalism, and globalization.