The Korean Studies Major develops students' sophisticated understanding of the dynamics that have shaped Korea and its relationship with the world. Situated at the geopolitical centre of Northeast Asia, Korea has long played a significant role in shaping transformations within the region and beyond. The division of the Korean peninsula into North and South Korea since 1945 made Korea a strategically important player in the politics of the Cold War, and the legacy of that Great Power competition resonates to the present. The Major consists of a wide range of courses on history, politics, society, and culture, offering an interdisciplinary and transnational perspective. Students will gain nuanced understanding of the past and the present of the peninsula as well as insights into current affairs related to North and South Korea. The Korea Studies Major complements the Korean language Major but Korean language proficiency is not required for courses in the Korean Studies Major.
Learning Outcomes
- Develop and apply critical thinking skills to understand and evaluate historical and current events and developments that have shaped Korea,
- Identify and critique the contemporary socio-cultural and political systems of Korea,
- Analyse developments in Korea in their regional and global contexts,
- Understand the processes and disciplinary approaches through which current knowledge about Korean studies has developed.
Areas of Interest
- Anthropology
- Cultural Studies
- Gender Studies
- History
- Asian Studies
- Asia Pacific Studies
- Film
- Politics
- International Security
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
The Korean Studies Major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
12 units from the following compulsory courses:
ASIA2040 The Making of Modern Korea
ASIA3031 Cultures in Korean Society
A minimum of 12 and a maximum of 18 units from the following list of advanced courses:
ASIA3012 Readings in Asian Societies and Histories
ASIA3033 Rethinking Northeast Asia
ASIA3039 Research Project in Asian Pacific Studies
ASIA3088 The Korean War
A minimum of 18 units from the completion of the following list of Korean Studies courses:
ASIA2006 Gender in Korean History
ASIA2049 Politics and Society in Contemporary Korea
ASIA2074 Popular Culture in East Asia
ASIA2096 North Korea: History, Culture, Politics
ASIA5920 Semester in Asia (6 to 24 units)
A maximum of 6 units from the completion of the following list of contextual courses:
ASIA2001 Language in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA2016 The Mongol Empire in World History
ASIA2017 History of International Relations in Northeast Asia
ASIA2065 Asian Politics: From Concepts to Causes
ASIA2067 Asian Economies
ASIA2301 Human Migration and Expansion in the Rise of the Asia-Pacific
ASIA2302 Culture and Modernity in Asia: Anthropological Perspectives
ASIA2304 What is Literature? Asian Perspectives
ASIA2307 History of Empire in Asia
ASIA2311 Gender and Cultural Studies in Asia and the Pacific
ASIA3021 Engaging Asia: Australia and the Asian Century
INTR2010 International Relations in the Asia-Pacific
INTR2012 Chinese Foreign and Security Policy
INTR2016 US Foreign and Security Policy in Asia
KORE3015 Advanced Korean: Film and Society
KORE3018 Advanced Korean: Literature and Media
STST2001 International Security issues in the Asia Pacific
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