Peace Studies Seminar: East Asian History for the Future

Course Overview

As South Korea transitions into a multiracial and multicultural society, the nation—sharing a common historical and cultural heritage within East Asia—has reached a critical juncture where a deeper understanding of its neighboring countries is imperative. In particular, the modern and contemporary history of East Asia is characterized by the influx of Western powers since the 19th century and the region’s subsequent transformations. Consequently, by moving beyond the modern era’s legacy of wars of aggression and revolutions, this course aims to lay the groundwork for mutual understanding and cooperation among East Asian countries.

Learning Objectives

1. Examine how East Asian countries responded to the expansion of Western powers during the nineteenth century.
2. Assess the current state of East Asian countries by analyzing the revolutions and wars in the twentieth century.
3. Cultivate a historical perspective to interpret South Korea’s East Asian neighbors through the lens of modern and contemporary history.