HIST 369 - The Korean Peninsula

Units: 3 ; Breadth Area: GE-UD-C
The political, social, and cultural history of the Korean peninsula from its origins to the present; focus on geographic factors, indigenous developments, and foreign encounters.

Strongly Recommended Preparation: Upper division status (greater than 60 earned semester units) and completion of lower division Area C requirements.
Prerequisites: Completion of GE Areas A1, A2, A3 and B4 with grade C- (CR) or better.
Possible Instructional Methods: Entirely On-ground, or Entirely Online.
Grading: A-F or CR/NC (student choice).
Breadth Area(s) Satisfied: GE-UD-C - Upper Division Arts or Humanities
Course Typically Offered: Variable Intermittently

Student Learning Outcomes - Upon successful completion of this course students will be able to:

Identify characteristic features of Korea’s indigenous art, literature, culture, and religion;
Evaluate the influence of China on the formation of the early Korean state;
Discuss the importance of indigenous belief systems, Confucianism, Buddhism, and Christianity on the evolution of Korean culture and thought;
Compare and contrast traditional social roles within the family and state;
Summarize the impact of Japan on the Korean peninsula, particularly since the 19th century;
Describe the economic and cultural inroads of the West in the pre-World War II period;
Analyze the role of China, Russia, Japan, the United States and other nations in shaping the modern history of the Korean peninsula;
Trace the changes in North Korea’s political leadership after World War II and its impact on North Korea, South Korea, Asia, and beyond;
Evaluate the patterns and causes of South Korea’s economic successes and downturns in the decades after the war to today;
Assess the historical and contemporary relationship between the peoples and governments of the Korean peninsula and its neighbors in Asia and beyond;
Identify and contextualize changes in Korean social patterns, attitudes, art, and culture over time;
Conduct independent historical research in Korean history using primary and secondary sources through written assignments;
Work collaboratively with other students to answer questions and solve problems related to the history the Korean peninsula;
Present original interpretations on selected Korea history topics in oral, written, audio, or visual form

UD-C. Upper-division Arts or Humanities Learning Outcomes

demonstrate an understanding of and ability to apply the principles, methodologies, value systems, and thought processes employed in the arts and humanities;
analyze cultural production as an expression of, or reflection upon, what it means to be human; and
demonstrate how the perspectives of the arts and humanities are used by informed, engaged, and reflective citizens to benefit local and global communities.