AST-2090: Modern Korean Politics and International Relations
Course Description
This course will examine the politics of the Korean peninsula from the 1950s until the present, with a particular focus on the domestic politics of South Korea and its international relations. In the 1953, South Korea was a war-ravaged and impoverished nation, with limited international relations and an authoritarian government. Today, it is known for its cultural products, stable democracy, and economic prowess. At the same time, Korea remains divided and tense, and strong regional powers threaten to engulf the peninsula in potential future conflicts. How did Korea arrive at this moment? This course will explore this question by delving into the domestic and international politics of South Korea. The first half of the course will mainly look at the politics of authoritarianism and democratization from the 1950s until the present by exploring issues such as the establishment of two separate states, military government, the democratization movement, and contemporary South Korean politics. The second half of the course will examine South Korea’s relationship with international powers such as the US, Japan, China, and of course, North Korea.
Course Description
This course will examine the politics of the Korean peninsula from the 1950s until the present, with a particular focus on the domestic politics of South Korea and its international relations. In the 1953, South Korea was a war-ravaged and impoverished nation, with limited international relations and an authoritarian government. Today, it is known for its cultural products, stable democracy, and economic prowess. At the same time, Korea remains divided and tense, and strong regional powers threaten to engulf the peninsula in potential future conflicts. How did Korea arrive at this moment? This course will explore this question by delving into the domestic and international politics of South Korea. The first half of the course will mainly look at the politics of authoritarianism and democratization from the 1950s until the present by exploring issues such as the establishment of two separate states, military government, the democratization movement, and contemporary South Korean politics. The second half of the course will examine South Korea’s relationship with international powers such as the US, Japan, China, and of course, North Korea.
- Teacher: Brendan Wright