Short Stories & Film from Korea (a.k.a. Korean Literature in Translation)
Fall 2010 574:220
T 2:50-4:10 @ SC 120 + Th 2:50-4:10 @ SC 201
Instructor: Mary Kim (maryskim@gmail.com)
Office Hrs: Th 2-2:40, or by appointment before or after class @ SC 326
About the Course
In this course, you will encounter Korean short stories and films in translation from the late
Joseon Period to the present day. Our approach will be to read these stories as part of a
circulating world literature, and to explore themes relevant to understanding Korea.
Under this frame, we will reflect on the evolving identity of Koreans on both an individual
and community level, using cultural and historical references to enhance our
understanding. The course begins by examining the Joseon social and political system,
moves to colonial modernity, civil war, rapid industrial development, democratic
movements, and ends with the Korean Wave.
Short stories and films will ground our discussions, but also expect short stories from the
world, art, music, poetry, and theory pieces to help expand and deepen our understanding
of the texts. All assigned readings and reference materials are translated into English, so no
previous knowledge of Korean language is required.
Requirements & Grade Distribution
Weekly Responses: 30%
Responses (1-2 paragraphs long) should be submitted on-line, through our sakai
class page, by 9pm the day before class.
Choose a text or film and respond to issues raised by the works by referring to
particular passages or scenes in detail. Your response should include at least one
reference to an outside source that has been assigned. Try including questions or
issues you would like to discuss in class, and please be analytical and structured
with your writing.
Discussion participation, and attendance: 20%
More than three (3) absences without an explanation will result in a lower grade.
Midterm: 25%
A take home 4-5 page essay. Questions will be based on assigned readings and
discussions. Due date tbd.
Final: 25%
A take home 5-6 page essay. Questions will be based on assigned readings and
discussions. Due date tbd.
Course Policy:
Late papers and assignments will lose a letter grade for every day that it is late. For
example, a late paper that would receive a B will receive a C if it is a day late, or a D if it is
two days late. You see my point.
Any form of plagiarism will result in a failing grade for the assignment and perhaps the
class. It is my duty to report any instances of egregious plagiarism to the Dean, which may
lead to expulsion from the university. It is not worth the risk.
If you are struggling to find your way through this course or an assignment, please come see
me. As your instructor and fellow scholar, I am here to help you.
Required Texts:
A course book is being prepared. Until then, please log onto sakai for our class readings.
Tentative Schedule:
Why the Short Story, and What is World Literature?
Week 1
9/2:
“The Ambition of the Short Story” from the New York Times
“The Art of Fiction” by Flannery O’Connor
Extracts from “What is World Literature?” by David Damrosch,
World Literature and Translation, Korea’s Foundation Myths
Week 2
9/7:
Extracts from The Conquest of America by Tzevatan Todorov
Extract from From Babel to Dragomans: Interpreting the Middle East by
Bernard Lewis
Excerpt from Constructing ‘Korean’ Origins
Excerpt from “Irresistable romance: the foundational fictions of Latin
America” by Doris Sommer
Patriarchy/Polygamy and Gender in Joseon Korea
9/9:
Week 3
9/14:
Scenes from Chunhyang (2003) by Im Kwon Taek
Excerpt from Pansori
Excerpt from “Women during the Yi Dynasty” by Martina Deuchler
Excerpt from Desire by B. Belsey
Poetry from late Joseon
Colonial Modernity
9/16:
“When the Buckwheat Blooms” by Yi Hyosok
“An Idiot’s Delight” by Yi T’aejun
“Broadcasting, Cultural Hegemony, and Colonial Modernity in Korea” by
Michael Robinson
Week 4
9/21:
Week 5
9/23:
9/28:
Week 6
9/30:
10/5:
“The Shaman Painting” by Kim Tongni,
“The Seaman’s Chant” by Kim Dong-in
Sweet Dream (1936) by Yang Junam
“A Lucky Day” by Hyon Chingon
“Potatoes” by Kim Tongin,
New Woman: Na Hae-seok
“Patterns of the Heart” by Choe Myongik,
“Wings” by Yi Sang
Division and Civil War
Week 7
Week 8
10/7: Film tbd
10/12: “Kapitan Ri” by Chon Kwangyong,
“A Stray Bullet” by Yi Pŏmsŏn,
10/14: Short stories tbd
10/19: North Korean short stories, tbd
10/21: A State of Mind or Repatriation (2004) by Kim Dong-Won
Charles Armstrong, “Constructing Culture”
Bruce Cumings, “Nation of the Sun King: North Korea, 1953-1996”
Rapid Industrialization
Week 9
Week 10
10/26: “Seoul: 1964, Winter” by Kim Sungok,
“A Dream of Good Fortune” by Hwang Sogyong
10/28: “State, Minjung, and the Working Class in South Korea” by Hagen Koo
11/2: “The Man Who Was Left as Nine Pairs of Shoes” by Yun Hunggil,
“Knifeblade” or “A Dwarf Launches a Little Ball” by Cho Sehui
11/4: “Political Cleavages of South Korea” by Choi Jang-jip
Democratic Movements
Week 11
11/9: Short stories tbd
11/11: Peppermint Candy by Lee Chang-Dong
Women in Contemporary Korea
Week 12
11/16: “Living with Conflicting Subjectivities: Mother, Motherly Wife, and
Sexy Woman in the Transition from Colonial-Modern to Postmodern
Korea” by Cho Haejoang
“Chinatown” by O Chonghui + other stories tbd
11/18: Take Care of My Cat
Flourishing Culture and the Korean Wave
Week 13
Week 14
Week 15
11/23: “Lizard” by Kim Yongha,
“From Powder to Powder” by Kim Hun
11/25: Thanksgiving, no class
11/30: Short stories, tbd
12/2: Selection of Korean television dramas, tbd
12/7: Short stories, tbd
12/9: Review and evaluations