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Literature in Korea

Vak
2025-2026

Admission requirements

None.

Description

This course, Reading Korean Literature in Dialogue with Its Times, takes students on a literary journey from the premodern era to the present. By examining the works of major writers, it explores how the anxieties and conflicts of each era have been reflected in Korean literature. By tracing literary developments from the 15th century through to contemporary times, students will examine how authors shaped and expressed their literary visions within the context of their respective eras.

The course begins with selected works from the 15th century and moves chronologically through representative literary works from each subsequent century. Students will investigate the historical and social contexts surrounding each work and engage with the intellectual discourses of the time. In doing so, they will consider how Korean writers have reflected on and expressed the essence of humanity and society through literature.

Primary course materials include the representative works of each featured author. Supplementary readings and literary theory will support in-depth analysis and classroom discussion. English translations will be used; for texts without existing translations, the instructor will provide relevant materials. To deepen understanding, selected excerpts from original texts in Korean or Classical Chinese may also be studied when necessary.

Course objectives

  • Engage in an in-depth reading of two literary works by preparing and delivering a presentation on one work and actively participating in the discussion of another.

  • Gain a broader understanding of Korean culture and history by examining how Korean literature reflects and interprets each era.

  • Expand academic capabilities through profound insights into the essence of society and humanity obtained from literature.

  • Develop skills to comprehensively analyze the literary worldview and philosophy of each author.

  • Enhance skills in reporting, presenting, and participating in discussions.

Timetable

The timetables are available through My Timetable.

Mode of instruction

Lecture / Seminar

Assessment method

Assessment

Attendance and Class Participation: 15%
Presentation: 30%
Discussion and Review Report: 25%
Final Assignment: 30%

Weighing

To pass the course students must receive an overall mark of 5.50 (=6) or higher and a passing grade for the Final Paper assignment (5.5 or higher).

Resit

Students who fail the course (receiving an overall mark of 5.49 [=5] or lower) or who fail the paper assignment must take a resit. The resit consists of a research paper of 5,000 words (worth 100% of the grade).

Inspection and feedback

The exam review process and schedule will be disclosed alongside the publication of the exam results at the latest. If a student requests a review within 30 days of the publication of the exam results, a review will be organized.

Reading list

All readings will be available on Brightspace and links will be provided on Brightspace where media references are used.

Registration

Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.

Contact

  • For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.

  • For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office: Herta Mohr

Remarks

Students who are absent more than three times may be excluded from the course and cannot count on assignments being graded. If you have a valid reason not to attend, you may get dispensation from this rule, but this requires consultation with the teacher.