Course Summary
This course provides an overview of the political landscape of South Korea, including its history, political institutions, and key issues facing the country today.Key Learning Points
- Gain a comprehensive understanding of Korean politics and its history
- Learn about the political institutions and key actors in South Korea
- Examine current issues and challenges facing South Korea
Related Topics for further study
Learning Outcomes
- Develop a comprehensive understanding of Korean politics and its history
- Identify key political institutions and actors in South Korea
- Analyze and evaluate current issues and challenges facing South Korea
Prerequisites or good to have knowledge before taking this course
- Basic knowledge of political science
- Proficiency in English
Course Difficulty Level
IntermediateCourse Format
- Online
- Self-paced
Similar Courses
- Understanding Chinese Politics Today
- Politics and Economics of Eastern Europe
Related Education Paths
Notable People in This Field
- Professor of Government and Asian Studies
- Professor of Political Science and Asian Studies
Related Books
Description
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.
Outline
- Korean Politics in Historical Perspective
- 1.1 Why Korean Politics?
- 1.2 Korean Politics-Past History
- 1.3 The First and Second Republic(1948-1961)
- 1.4 Military Coup, Park Chung-Hee, and the Yushine Regime
- 1.5 The 5th Republic, Chun Doo-Hwan, and Democratic Transition
- Reading Materials
- Graded Quiz
- Dynamics of Democratic Transition in South Korea: Structure, Culture, and Leadership Choice
- 2.1 Legacies of the Past and Transition to Democracy
- 2.2 Understanding Democratic Transition and Consolidation
- 2.3 Authoritarian Past and Transition Dynamics
- 2.4 Determinants of Democratic Transition in South Korea
- 2.5 Prospects for Democratic Consolidation in South Korea
- Reading Materials
- Graded Quiz
- Political Institutions in South Korea
- 3.1 Understanding Political Institutions
- 3.2 Constitutional Foundation and Its Evolution
- 3.3 Korean Government
- 3.4 Why persistent Imperial President?
- 3.5 Conclusion: Debates on New Constitutional Amendment
- Reading Materials
- Graded Quiz
- Profiles of political leadership
- 4.1 Understanding Political Leadership
- 4.2 Evaluating Political Leadership
- 4.3 Assessing Rhee Syngman
- 4.4 Evaluating Park Chung-hee
- 4.5 Evaluating Kim Dae-jung
- 4.6 Conclusion: some puzzles for discussion
- Reading Materials
- Graded Quiz
- The Developmental State and the Korean Economic Miracle
- 5.1 The Korean Economic Miracle: Empirical Check
- 5.2 Understanding the South Korean Economic Miracle ( I )
- 5.3 Understanding the South Korean Economic Miracle ( II )
- 5.4 Dark-side of the Developmental State and Policy Networks
- 5.5 Limits to the Developmental State and the Future of the South Korean Economy
- Reading Materials
- Graded Quiz
- Debates on Korean Unification
- 6.1 Overview of Korean Division and Inter-Korean Relations
- 6.2 Understanding towards Korean Unification
- 6.3 The Sunshine Policy and Korean Unification
- 6.4 The Sunshine Policy - Its Limits and Constraints
- 6.5 The Future of Inter-Korean Relations and Unification
- 7.1 New Horizon of Democracy and Peace- Candlelight Protest
- 7.2 Impeachment of President Park Geun-hye
- 7.3 Swift to Progressive Power
- 7.4 the New Era of Moon Jae-in Government
- 7.5 Road to ‘a nuclear weapons free and peaceful Korea’
- 7.6 New foreign policy initiative
- 7.7 Interim assessment and challenges ahead of the Moon Jae-in Government
- Reading Materials
- Final Graded Quiz
Summary of User Reviews
This course on Understanding Korean Politics has received positive reviews from users. Many have praised its comprehensive approach to the subject matter.Key Aspect Users Liked About This Course
The course is praised for its comprehensive approach to the subject matter.Pros from User Reviews
- The course is well-structured and easy to follow
- The instructor is knowledgeable and engaging
- The course materials are informative and helpful
Cons from User Reviews
- Some users found the course to be too basic
- The course could benefit from more interactive elements
- A few users experienced technical difficulties with the platform
Chung-in Moon
4.8 Raiting
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This course will select six most outstanding issues in contemporary Korean politics and will engage in an in-depth, interactive inquiry of those issue....
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