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SO JEONG PARK
This course will give you an insight into the formative years of “Korean” culture and thought and uncover together who were the earliest people we could describe as being “Korean.” Korea is unique, but not of a single origin. Through this course, you will rediscover “Korea” today as a unique linguistic-cultural continuum. And from this, you may gain a deeper understanding of yourself by acknowledging the various factors that have influenced you to form your mature identity.
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OpenCourser.com/course/z2vguk/in
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Syllabus
Philosophizing through Primary Sources
This week, we will learn about the earliest written sources describing Koreans and through reading between the lines we glean insight into what those texts imply. We will also learn about ‘name, language, and religion’, and the importance of those terms in constructing an identity.
Read more
Syllabus
Philosophizing through Primary Sources
This week, we will learn about the earliest written sources describing Koreans and through reading between the lines we glean insight into what those texts imply. We will also learn about ‘name, language, and religion’, and the importance of those terms in constructing an identity.
Read more
Traffic lights
Traffic lights
Read about what's good
what should give you pause and
possible dealbreakers
Explores Korean culture and thought from its formative years, providing a comprehensive understanding of Korean identity and its influences
Taught by SO JEONG PARK, an expert in Korean history and culture
Develops critical thinking and analytical skills through the examination of primary sources
Suitable for learners with a general interest in Korean history, culture, and identity
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Reviews summary
A deep dive into korean philosophical origins
According to students, "In Search for the Origins of Korean Philosophy" is a unique and insightful exploration that significantly reshapes understanding of Korean identity and thought. Learners consistently praise the instructor's profound expertise and passion, which brings complex historical and philosophical concepts to life. The course stands out for its deep dive into pre-Confucian and Buddhist traditions, using primary sources to uncover the linguistic and cultural nuances that shaped early Korea. While some found the lectures engaging and well-structured, a minority of learners noted occasional uneven pacing or felt the delivery could be challenging without a prior background in East Asian history. Overall, it's a highly rewarding experience for those interested in cultural history and academic rigor.
Provides a well-structured and rigorous academic foundation.
"The course provided an excellent foundation for understanding Korean philosophical origins. The primary sources approach was very effective for me."
"The structure is logical, building knowledge week by week. It's clear a lot of research went into this."
"I appreciated the detailed examination of primary sources and the historical context provided. It's definitely a course for those who enjoy academic rigor."
Features an instructor with evident passion and deep knowledge.
"The instructor's lectures are incredibly insightful and break down complex concepts into digestible parts. Their passion shines through."
"I was impressed by the instructor's expertise; their discussions around the introduction of Confucianism and Buddhism were very well-handled."
"The instructor's expertise is evident throughout. This course is a treasure trove for anyone fascinated by Korean history and philosophy."
Offers a profound and rare exploration of early Korean identity.
"This course is an absolute gem for anyone interested in East Asian thought. I loved how it covered the origins before Confucianism and Buddhism, which most courses skip."
"It dives deep into the linguistic and cultural nuances that shaped early Korean identity, which I found fascinating."
"The way it connected ancient myths to modern Korean identity was brilliant; I hadn't encountered this perspective before."
"This course completely reshaped my understanding of Korean identity. The unique angle of tracing 'Korean' identity through various influences is what sets it apart."
Some learners experienced difficulty with lecture presentation.
"I found this course quite difficult to follow. The instructor's accent was sometimes hard for me to understand, and the lecture slides were often text-heavy."
"I struggled with the dry presentation and found it hard to stay motivated. My expectations for engaging activities were not met."
Pacing can be uneven; some seek more interactive elements.
"Some parts felt a bit rushed, especially the later weeks on Confucianism and Buddhism; I think it could benefit from more detailed examples."
"The pacing is uneven. Some weeks felt overly long, while others felt too brief for the complex topics introduced."
"I also hoped for more interactive elements or discussion prompts beyond just the lectures."
May present challenges for learners without background.
"Some of the earlier lectures assumed a basic understanding of East Asian history, which might be challenging for complete newcomers like me."
"I felt like I needed a strong background in philosophy or ancient history to keep up, which wasn't clearly stated in the prerequisites."
Activities
Be better prepared
before
your course. Deepen your understanding
during
and
after
it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered
in In Search for the Origins of Korean Philosophy with these
activities:
Compile an overview of Korean history before the period covered in this course
Show steps
Summarize Korean history up to the formative years to reinforce your understanding of course materials
Browse courses on
Korean History
Show steps
-
Review key events and figures in Korean history prior to the Three Kingdoms period
-
Create a timeline of important dates and events
-
Identify the key cultural and political influences on early Korean society
Seek out a mentor with expertise in Korean history and culture
Show steps
Connect with an expert who can provide guidance and support throughout your learning journey
Browse courses on
Korean History
Show steps
-
Identify potential mentors through professional organizations or networking events
-
Reach out to your mentors and express your interest in learning more about Korean history and culture
-
Arrange regular meetings or video calls to discuss course material and explore related topics
Read 'The History of Korea' by Michael J. Seth
Show steps
Review key historical events and their impact on Korean culture and thought
View
A Concise History of Korea
on Amazon
Show steps
-
Read the book and take notes on the major themes and arguments
-
Identify the key turning points in Korean history
-
Analyze the role of geography and culture in shaping Korean history
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Participate in online discussions on Korean culture and thought
Show steps
Engage with fellow learners to exchange ideas and perspectives on the course material
Browse courses on
Korean Culture
Show steps
-
Join online forums or discussion groups dedicated to Korean culture and thought
-
Actively participate in discussions, sharing your insights and asking questions
-
Respect and consider the opinions of others, even if you disagree
Practice translating Korean primary sources
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience with early Korean texts to improve your understanding of the course material
Browse courses on
Korean Language
Show steps
-
Find online resources or textbooks that provide Korean primary sources with translations
-
Try to translate the sources on your own, focusing on identifying key terms and ideas
-
Compare your translations to the provided translations and identify areas for improvement
Explore online tutorials on Korean Buddhism
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of Korean Buddhism and its impact on Korean culture and thought
Show steps
-
Search for online tutorials or courses on Korean Buddhism
-
Follow the tutorials, taking notes on key concepts and practices
-
Apply what you have learned to your understanding of the course material
Create a presentation on the influence of Chinese characters on Korean language and culture
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of the complex relationship between Chinese characters and Korean language and culture
Browse courses on
Korean Language
Show steps
-
Research the history and evolution of Chinese characters in Korea
-
Identify the different ways in which Chinese characters have influenced Korean vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation
-
Create a visual presentation that illustrates your findings
Compile an overview of Korean history before the period covered in this course
Show steps
Summarize Korean history up to the formative years to reinforce your understanding of course materials
Browse courses on
Korean History
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Review key events and figures in Korean history prior to the Three Kingdoms period
- Create a timeline of important dates and events
- Identify the key cultural and political influences on early Korean society
Seek out a mentor with expertise in Korean history and culture
Show steps
Connect with an expert who can provide guidance and support throughout your learning journey
Browse courses on
Korean History
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Identify potential mentors through professional organizations or networking events
- Reach out to your mentors and express your interest in learning more about Korean history and culture
- Arrange regular meetings or video calls to discuss course material and explore related topics
Read 'The History of Korea' by Michael J. Seth
Show steps
Review key historical events and their impact on Korean culture and thought
View
A Concise History of Korea
on Amazon
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Read the book and take notes on the major themes and arguments
- Identify the key turning points in Korean history
- Analyze the role of geography and culture in shaping Korean history
Four other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all seven activities
Participate in online discussions on Korean culture and thought
Show steps
Engage with fellow learners to exchange ideas and perspectives on the course material
Browse courses on
Korean Culture
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Join online forums or discussion groups dedicated to Korean culture and thought
- Actively participate in discussions, sharing your insights and asking questions
- Respect and consider the opinions of others, even if you disagree
Practice translating Korean primary sources
Show steps
Gain hands-on experience with early Korean texts to improve your understanding of the course material
Browse courses on
Korean Language
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Find online resources or textbooks that provide Korean primary sources with translations
- Try to translate the sources on your own, focusing on identifying key terms and ideas
- Compare your translations to the provided translations and identify areas for improvement
Explore online tutorials on Korean Buddhism
Show steps
Gain a deeper understanding of Korean Buddhism and its impact on Korean culture and thought
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Search for online tutorials or courses on Korean Buddhism
- Follow the tutorials, taking notes on key concepts and practices
- Apply what you have learned to your understanding of the course material
Create a presentation on the influence of Chinese characters on Korean language and culture
Show steps
Demonstrate your understanding of the complex relationship between Chinese characters and Korean language and culture
Browse courses on
Korean Language
Show steps
Show steps
Show steps
- Research the history and evolution of Chinese characters in Korea
- Identify the different ways in which Chinese characters have influenced Korean vocabulary, grammar, and pronunciation
- Create a visual presentation that illustrates your findings
Career center
Learners who complete In Search for the Origins of Korean Philosophy will develop knowledge and skills
that may be useful to these careers:
Historian
Historian
Historians research, analyze, interpret, and write about the past by studying historical documents and sources. Studying the history of Korean culture and thought is directly relevant to the work of a Historian.
Archivist
Archivist
Archivists appraise, acquire, preserve, and make accessible historical records, including cultural artifacts. This course is directly relevant to the work of an Archivist specializing in Korean history.
Museum curator
Museum curator
Museum Curators plan and organize museum exhibitions, care for museum collections, and conduct research in their area of expertise. This course is directly relevant to the work of a Museum Curator specializing in Korean history.
Philosopher
Philosopher
Philosophers study the fundamental nature of knowledge, reality, and existence. This course may be useful for a Philosopher specializing in the history of Korean philosophy or the relationship between Korean culture and philosophy.
Theologist
Theologist
Theologists study religious beliefs and practices, often focusing on a particular religion or religious tradition. This course may be useful for a Theologian specializing in the history of Korean religions or the relationship between Korean culture and religion.
Teacher
Teacher
Teachers instruct students in a variety of academic subjects. This course may be useful for a Teacher specializing in Korean history, culture, or philosophy.
Cultural Anthropologist
Cultural Anthropologist
Cultural Anthropologists study the behavior, origin, and development of humans and cultures. This course may be useful in helping to understand the origins of Korean culture and its relationship to other cultures.
Sociologist
Sociologist
Sociologists study the development, structure, and functioning of human societies. This course may be useful in helping to understand the origins and development of Korean society.
Journalist
Journalist
Journalists research, write, and report on news and current events. This course may be useful for a Journalist specializing in Korean history, culture, or politics.
Writer
Writer
Writers create written content, such as books, articles, and scripts. This course may be useful for a Writer specializing in Korean history, culture, or philosophy.
Interpreter
Interpreter
Interpreters facilitate communication between people who speak different languages. This course may be useful for an Interpreter specializing in Korean history or culture.
Translator
Translator
Translators convert written text from one language to another. This course may be useful for a Translator specializing in Korean history or culture.
Librarian
Librarian
Librarians help library patrons access information and use library resources and services. This course may be useful for a Librarian specializing in Korean history, culture, or literature.
Editor
Editor
Editors review, correct, and improve written content. This course may be useful for an Editor specializing in Korean history, culture, or philosophy.
College Professor
College Professor
College Professors are chiefly responsible for teaching college-level courses and interacting with students. This course may be useful in helping teach any courses concerning Korean culture and history.
For more career information including salaries, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/z2vguk/in
Reading list
We've selected six books
that we think will supplement your
learning. Use these to
develop background knowledge, enrich your coursework, and gain a
deeper understanding of the topics covered in
In Search for the Origins of Korean Philosophy.
Provides an introduction to Korean thought, from its origins to the present day. It covers a wide range of topics, including Korean philosophy, religion, and literature.
Provides a concise history of Korean Buddhism, from its origins to the present day. It valuable resource for students of Korean Buddhism and culture.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Korean music from its origins to the present day. It valuable resource for students who want to learn more about the development of Korean music and its relationship to Korean culture.
Provides an introduction to Korean shamanism, a unique religious tradition that is still practiced in Korea today. It valuable resource for students of Korean religion and culture.
Provides a comprehensive overview of Korean traditional music, including its history, genres, and instruments. It valuable resource for students of Korean music and culture.
Save
Provides a comprehensive overview of Korean literature, from ancient times to the present day. It valuable resource for students of Korean literature and culture.
For more information about how these books relate to this course, visit:
OpenCourser.com/course/z2vguk/in
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Effort
6 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Level
Intermediate
Via
Coursera
Institution
Sungkyunkwan University
Instructor
SO JEONG PARK
Language
English
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