KOR 450Korean Cultures in Global Contexts

3 credits · Korean · Penn State

As Korea has gained significant economic and political power in the past few decades, people in many different parts of the world desire to know about Korean culture as a way to communicate with them. Korea has a long history and traditions that distinguish it from other nations and societies; and that still influence the ways Koreans behave in different social and cultural settings. However, Korean culture is not a unifying or clearly defined entity since foreign political, economic, and cultural forces that shaped contemporary Korean culture. It is a malleable entity that continuously evolves through Korea's close engagement with the world. This course examines the multiplicity and fluidity of Korean culture in global contexts primarily in Korean language. It is designed for students who desire to obtain knowledge about the global connection between Korea and other societies in the world in the fields of business culture, entertainment culture, tourism, diplomacy, education, art, etc. It first situates Korean culture in its relationship to others to see how global politics, economy and culture influenced the ways Korean cultures transformed; how Koreans engage with the global community in industries, politics and economy; and how the engagement can further create constructive channels between the global community and Korea. Depending on instructors, the content will vary, but it covers topics that concern students whose interests lie in the cultural understanding of work culture, Korean business, entertainment, tourism, Korean diaspora, and art from a global perspective.