Asian Studies

The course provides a survey of the modern Korean novel from its beginnings to 1945 but focuses on major works of fiction written after 1960. The course also demonstrates why and how Korean writers have tried to achieve "national literature" while trying to dispense with the limitations of nationalist discourse, which often suppresses the issues of gender and minorities, and even democracy itself. The course also provides a brief mapping of the contemporary literature of North Korea. 

The course is divided into three parts: the first part addresses the Chinese political economy in the time of reform and opening out. Topics include some of the momentous shifts in China's socio-economic order from Maoism to the present day, with a particular focus on the rising and declining social groups and the distribution of power resources across society; the key stages and (re)orientations of Reform and Opening; economic policies with an eye to the social and political tendencies and tensions that it encapsulates; Chinese socio-economic landscape of today in a critical discussion of notions such as state capitalism and China model; and the diversity of Chinese development through a focus on the contrasts between several competing regional models. The second part addresses Chinese culture and religion. Topics include cultural foundations of ancestor worship and its contemporary practice; the meaning of guanxi (relationship) and its application and transition in Chinese society; the Five Relationships, the core of Confucian ethics; the culture of Shanghai, including themes such as nostalgia and consumerism, as well as the value system and lifestyle of Shanghainese; and an introduction to Chinese policy of religious freedom, to the historical background and contemporary situation of Chinese folk religion, and to the phenomenon of mass conversion to Christianity in China. The third part focuses on Shanghai studies as a means to offer a distinct localized illustration of the Chinese experience.

This class introduces Korean contemporary films and relevant societal discourses. The course covers the role of film/moving images in contemporary society, the rhetoric of visual media in broader context, and lastly, Korean contemporary films in a more concrete realm. By writing critiques on each subject as well as sharing during class, students challenge their personal feelings and thoughts, broaden their knowledge, and deepen their insights on film media.

The course analyzes Korea’s perspective on today’s China. It focuses on a few main incidents that have affected Chinese modern history.

This course provides an overview of contemporary Japanese politics via Public (Rational) Choice Theory which emphasizes major political actors such as voters, parliamentarians, special interest groups, and national bureaucrats. This class describes and discusses some of the basic aspects of Japanese politics, currently undergoing a drastic transformation due to societal changes and globalization. The course covers the following topics: Public (Rational) Choice Theory, along with its strengths and weaknesses; democracy in Japan; party politics; the electoral system and voting participation; Japan's population issues; Japan's defense and foreign policy; Japan's food and energy problems, and current topics in Japanese politics and foreign policy.

This research internship program offers selected students the opportunity to participate in research projects or work as an intern in research centers or organizations at Yonsei University. Students are expected to participate in research projects for approximately 20 hours per week throughout the program. Projects will vary depending on placement. Graded Pass/No pass only.

This course examines the history of Sino-Japanese relations from the mid-nineteenth century to the present day. It studies how political, economic, and cultural relations between the two countries have evolved through multiple stages of conflict and cooperation. It covers the following themes: economic development and modernization in East Asia; colonialism and imperialism; Japanese and Chinese nationalism; cross-cultural fertilizations within the Sinosphere; and the relation between war, memory, and national identity.

The course examines the political, economic, and social history of China from the Boxer Rebellion to the contemporary era. Main topics covered include overthrow of the Qing Dynasty, the May Fourth Movement, the rise of Communism, and Reforms since the 1978-era.