Course Description
This course addresses war and peace surrounding the Korean peninsula
from the perspective of international relations. The Korean peninsula is
still in the status of ceasefire from the Korean War, and it is still
divided into two Koreas since the beginning of the Cold war. Also, the
Korean peninsula has been geopolitically located in the middle of powers
such as the USA, Japan, and China. Thus, the status of peace and war on
the Korean peninsula is deeply impacted by the international politics.
The aim of the course is that the students while focusing on the Korean
peninsula develop a basic understanding of the various ongoing conflicts
in East Asia (i.e., “New Cold War”) between the USA, China, Japan,
Russia and North and South Korea. In the beginning of the seminar, we
will make ourselves acquainted with conceptual approaches to
international relations in East Asia. This is followed by a set of
sessions in which we examine historical developments around the Korean
peninsula starting from the 16th East Asian war, which occurred on the Korean Peninsula, and the Sino-Japan war in the 19th
century during the expansion of Western powers in the East Asia working
our way up to the division of the Korean peninsula (1945-48) and the
Korean War (1950-53) in the 20th century. Against this
backdrop we spend the remainder of the semester with studying
contemporary developments regarding the international relations and
conflicts between the two Koreas, the USA, Japan, China and Russia.
Meanwhile, a central focus is put on issues related to the difficulties
and possibilities of peace on the Korean peninsula and the East Asian
region.
Course Structure
Because of the COVID-19 crisis, this course will be conducted mainly
through online lectures and discussions (Zoom). This semester is
composed of 14 weeks (19. Oct. 2021 – 01. Feb. 2022/ Weihnachtsfereien:
24.12.2020- 07.01.2021). Students are expected to read the required
reading materials on the schedule at home. This course is part of an
Aufbaumodul. After finishing the course, you are expected to take an
oral examination of 30 minutes.
Grading
Attendance & Participation (at most 3 absences are okay except illness or emergence situation)
Oral examination (30 minutes)
1) First half of the examination: Presentation of a selected
topic from the lecture (you can organize a group with 3-4 people) and
Q&A
2) Second half of the examination: Q&A about the lecture topics, ‘peace and war’