ATS3805 · Understanding contemporary Korean society and culture through literature and media

Overview

This advanced unit critically examines various forms of writing, literature, and media produced on the Korean peninsula from the colonial period (1910–1945) to the present day. You will encounter a variety of text types, including short stories, novels and poetry, as well as webtoons and other multimodal texts. You will learn how to read these materials critically and understand them in relation to the turbulent historical and socio-economical changes of the Korean peninsula. Non-classic or new forms of literature, such as the internet and queer and diasporic literature, as well as webtoons, are also included. Topics covered in this unit include Japanese colonisation, the Korean War, Korean modernisation and uneven development, the financial crisis and other social issues such as the rise of inequality, competition and out-migration. The unit will be offered in both Korean and English, with placement in the Korean or English stream being decided by the unit coordinator. In both the English and Korean streams you will develop reading, writing, listening and discussion skills as well as language and cultural awareness. You will also learn the historical, political and socio-economical context in which to understand and analyse contemporary Korean literature and writing. Writing skills to be developed include vocabulary and translation, creative writing, synthesis and argument in essay writing.

Areas of study: Korean studies

Offerings

Assessment

The Handbook does not list a final examination among the assessment items. That is not a guarantee there is none.

Within semester assessment: 100%

Assessment details may change. Please refer to the assessment information in Moodle closer to the start of the teaching period.

Requisites

The Handbook lists no prerequisite, corequisite or prohibition for this unit.

Learning outcomes

1. Explain the historical context of modern Korean literature;
2. Analyse primary works of modern Korean literature in Korean;
3. Engage in informed discussion of the different texts and contexts studied in the unit;
4. Produce clear, grammatically and syntactically appropriate response papers and writings (short answers, translations, creative writing, essays, etc.) in Korean on topics provided or chosen for assessment.

Workload

Minimum total expected workload to achieve the learning outcomes for this unit is 144 hours per semester typically comprising a mixture of scheduled learning activities and independent study. Scheduled activities may include a combination of teacher directed learning, peer directed learning and online engagement.

Student experience, not official rules. Nothing here changes what the Handbook says.