KOR1504 – Korea: History, Society, Politics
Course description
Course content
Through the course of its "compressed modernization", South Korea has been undergoing drastic changes at the neck-breaking speed from the end of the nineteenth century onward, being first turned into a highly regimented colony of Japan and then divided between two Cold War states, which solidified their power systems in a fratricidal war.?
This course is aimed at understanding:?
- what sort of influence the pre-modern tradition, colonial regimentation and Cold War militarism exerted upon the South Korean society?
- what factors were decisive in South Korea’s high-speed economic development and institutional democratization?
- what strategies the disadvantaged groups of the South Korean society (workers, migrants, women, etc.) have been employing in the struggle for their rights?
Specially highlighted is the issue of the social costs of the processes of capital accumulation and centralized, government-led industrialization in South Korea.?
Learning outcome
- This course gives a historically informed overview of politics and society in South Korea, focusing on state structures, systems of corporate governance, relationships between the bureaucracy and corporate bourgeoisie, developments in the perceptions of the external world and foreign relationship, positions of workers, women and migrants, and ecological problems.?
- Students should also learn about South Korea’s complex entanglements in the international trade an investment networks and interstate hegemonic structures.?
- The aim is to present basic knowledge about South Korea’s modern and contemporary history, politics and society, to introduce the students to the literature on the subject and to discuss various ways of understanding and interpreting South Korea’s modern developments.?
Work-related skills:
While taking this course, you will receive training in the following skills that are potentially relevant to working life:
- The students will learn to relate to deadlines, work requirements, routines, as well as responsibility for their own learning in a structured and disciplined way.
- The students will learn basic project management with guidelines for dimensioning, planning, use of resources, deadlines, sub-goals and overall goals.?
Digital skills:
- While taking this course, the students will have opportunities to practice to use digitally based primary and secondary sources on South Korean history, society and politics.?
Admission to the course
Students who are admitted to study programmes at UiO must each semester register which courses and exams they wish to sign up for in Studentweb.
If you are not already enrolled as a student at UiO, please see our information about admission requirements and procedures.
Overlapping courses
- 10 credits overlap with KOR4504 – Korea: History, Society, Politics (discontinued).
- 5 credits overlap with KOR1501 – Koreas samfunn og politikk (discontinued).
- 5 credits overlap with KOR1503 – Koreas historie (discontinued).
Teaching
The course consists of lectures, in total 12 classes of 2 hours each. Active participation in the classes is encouraged.?
Compulsory activities:
- A brief summary of part of the syllabus.?
- A digital multiple-choice test in Canvas.?
You will find more information about the requirements for the compulsory assignments and the submission deadline in Canvas.?
The approved compulsory activity remains valid for the two following semesters in which the course is offered. However, exceptions may arise if the course undergoes changes in its assessment format, teaching, or other significant modifications.?
All compulsory activities must be approved to qualify for the exam. It is your responsibility to verify that you have obtained approval for all compulsory activities.?
Absence from compulsory activities:?
It is important that you familiarize yourself with the rules regarding absence from compulsory activities, to prevent being excluded from teaching and losing your eligibility to take the exam.?
More information on compulsory activities at the University of Oslo:?
Access to teaching:?
A student who has completed compulsory instruction and coursework and has had these approved, is not entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework. A student who has been admitted to a course, but who has not completed compulsory instruction and coursework or had these approved, is entitled to repeat that instruction and coursework, depending on available capacity.?
Examination
4 hours school exam.
You must submit the exam in Inspera - see guides for digital exams.?
You are personally responsible for familiarizing yourself with the requirements and deadlines for the exam.?
All compulsory activities must be completed and approved in order to take the exam.?
You can find more information about the exam on the semester page of the course.?
Examination support material
No examination support material is allowed. If you need to use dictionary or other support materials due to problems with language proficiency, you may apply to the department at least 4 weeks before the exam date.
Language of examination
The examination questions are given in English. You may submit your response in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.
Grading scale
Grades are awarded on a scale from A to F, where A is the best grade and F is a fail. Read more about the grading system.
More about examinations at UiO
- Use of sources and citations
- How to use AI as a student
- Special exam arrangements due to individual needs
- Withdrawal from an exam
- Illness at exams / postponed exams
- Explanation of grades and appeals
- Resitting an exam
- Cheating/attempted cheating
You will find further guides and resources at the web page on examinations at UiO.