POL 470 Korea in World Politics
Foreign policy experts argue that Korea, a country the size of the state of Indiana but now the 11th largest economy in the world, punches above its weight on the international stage. Although this statement refers to South Korea, the same might be argued about North Korea, but for entirely different reasons (think nuclear weapons). This course is intended to provide students a better political, historical, and cultural understanding of the two Koreas and their relationship to Northeast Asia and the world. Using both Koreas as case studies, the course reinforces important themes rooted in world politics. Such conceptual themes include dictatorship and democracy, economic development, nationalism, civil society and social movements, regional rivalries, alliance politics, nuclear deterrence, and the balance of power. By the end of the course, students should be able to place contemporary Korean issues in their proper historical and political context, and hopefully take a deeper interest in Korea and the politics of Northeast Asia.
Cross Listed Courses
POL 470 &
POL 670