The making of a modern Korea: History and development

This unit aims to provide you with a deeper understanding of the essential historical developments and philosophical constructs that have impacted the Korean Peninsula. It focuses on some of the most contentious areas of premodern and modern Korean history to equip you with a solid understanding of the forces that have made Korea the place it is. Although the emphasis is on modern Korean history, the opening section of the unit firmly establish the social, cultural, and philosophical make up of premodern society; examining status, authority, law, and women. This provides you with a framework with which to examine the influences of traditional Korea on the modern-day peninsula. The rest of the unit analyses central, contentious events and periods in the historical development of the Koreas. You will develop a more confident understanding of core historical events and grow analytical and critical thinking skills as you consider conflicting historical discourses. All materials and assessments are in English.