This course will select six most outstanding issues in contemporary Korean politics and will engage in an in-depth, interactive inquiry of those issue. They include Korean politics in history, institutional setting of Korean politics, and dynamics of political culture in Korea, profiles of political leadership, myth and reality of the developmental state and the Korean economic miracle, and debates on Korean unification. The course will expose students to contending theories and empirical reality at first hand.
Understanding Korean Politics
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Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8
(268 reviews)
Beginner level
No prior experience required
Flexible schedule
Approx. 12 hours
Learn at your own pace
98%
Most learners liked this course
Details to know
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Assessments
6 assignments
Taught in English
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There are 6 modules in this course
During Week 1, leaners will have an overview of Korean Politics which includes past history, the presidents and the main historical events during the 1st to the 6th Republic, and the democratic transition in 1987. The first week will help learners develop a fundamental understanding of the historical development of Korean Politics and lead leaners to think what makes Korean Politics new and interesting.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Week 2 will first summarizes the four legacies of South Korea’s politics from 1948 to 1987 and introduce the major concepts and models of democratic transition. Second, it will give a clear and detailed explanation about South Korea’s democratic transition which includes the transition dynamics, the determinants of democratic transition and the democratic consolidation.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Week 3 will start with the explanation of institution including its concept, types and major issues. In the second part, the lecture will expound South Korea’s constitutional foundation and its evolution, focusing on its nine constitutional amendments. Then it will talk about the structure and features of South Korean government, also it will briefly introduce South Korea’s presidential system which will be further explained in next week.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Week 4 will mainly talk about the political leadership. The lecture will first give the definition, types and evaluation criteria of political leadership. Then it will evaluate President Rhee Syngman, Park Chung-hee and Kim Dae-jung by using the criteria given in the first part and lead leaners to discuss the unique pattern of South Korean leadership.
What's included
6 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Week 5 will give leaners a very clear explanation of South Korean economic development, including its original conditions, economic take-off and economic crisis. Then the lecture will talk about the limits of developmental state and lead leaners to discuss about the future of South Korean economy.
What's included
5 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
The main topic of week 6 is Korean unification. The lecture will start with explanation of inter-Korean relationship to help learners form a better understanding towards Korean unification. Then it will expound and evaluate the Sunshine policy. And the last part will have learners discuss about the future of Inter-Korean relations and unification.
What's included
12 videos1 reading1 assignment1 discussion prompt
Instructor
Instructor ratings
4.9 (88 ratings)
Offered by
Recommended if you're interested in Governance and Society
Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University
Yonsei University
Università di Napoli Federico II
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Learner reviews
4.8
268 reviews
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Showing 3 of 268
AH
5
Reviewed on Aug 8, 2020
A nice course for beginners who want to know more about Korean political history, political system and the main issues in Korean politics!
EG
5
Reviewed on Dec 25, 2021
Very Informatiove. This course widen my insight about South Korea especially in Political Issues and Development.
MC
4
Reviewed on Feb 6, 2017
It's a very good beginners class. The lectures are quite thorough and well-suited to those who are auditing the class.
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