2006 Summer Program in Korean Studies
An Introduction to Modern Korean Literature
Taught by Brother Anthony (안 선재)
This course will introduce students to works by a small number of
writers, seen in the broad context of Korean literary history.
Main Textbook: Twentieth Century Korean Literature by Yi Nam-ho, U
Ch'angje, Yi Kwangho, Kim Mi Hyun. Translated by Ryu Youngju. Published
by Eastbridge Press.
There will be 7 class hours: June 20 (Tues), 21 (Wed), 22 (Thurs) June
26 (Mon), 27 (Tues), 28 (Wed), 29 (Thurs) at 9 – 10:20am in the Arrupe
Building.
Day-by-day topic:
Day 1. Overview of the main events in modern Korean history. We shall start to read the most famous Korean poems
Day 2. Most famous poems continued. Survey of a few of the main writers of 20th-century Korean poetry
Day 3. Reading some poems by Ko Un, Shin Kyong-Nim, Kim Kwang-Kyu
(Over the
weekend, students should read a short story by a modern Korean writer
(text given out in class))
Day 4. Survey of the main writers and themes of 20th-century Korean fiction.
Day 5. Survey continued. Students begin to present their responses to the story they have read.
Day 6. Presentations continue, followed by a class discussion on the stories.
Day 7. Students comment on the Korean poem they have most enjoyed reading.