Changing Culture and Society in East Asia

Course Description

This captivating course, "Changing Culture and Society in East Asia," offers an in-depth exploration of the dynamic transformations occurring in South Korea, China, and Japan. As a student, you'll embark on a fascinating journey through time, examining how local cultures have evolved in response to major historical events and global influences. This course challenges the common perception of globalization as a one-way process and instead presents a nuanced understanding of how local agencies have shaped unique cultural and societal forms in each country.

What students will learn from the course

• A comprehensive understanding of the cultural and societal changes in South Korea, China, and Japan
• The ability to critically analyze the myth of West-centered globalization
• Insights into the transformation from traditional to contemporary society and culture in East Asia
• An understanding of how global elements become integrated into local cultures
• The historical processes behind the rise of Japanese and Korean popular culture
• The impact of industrialization, war, socialism, capitalism, and consumerism on East Asian societies
• The role of local agency in shaping globalization outcomes

Pre-requisite or skills necessary to complete the course

There are no specific prerequisites for this course. It is designed as an introductory-level course, making it accessible to students from various backgrounds. However, a general interest in East Asian culture, history, and globalization would be beneficial.

What the course will cover

• Traditional societies based on patriarchy, Confucian ethics, and subsistence agriculture
• The impact of industrialization and modernization on East Asian countries
• The role of war and socialism in shaping societal changes
• The expansion of capitalist economies and emerging consumerism
• The influence of multinational corporations on local cultures
• The rise and global impact of Japanese and Korean popular culture
• The unique paths of historical-cultural transformations in each country
• The bilateral process of localized globalization
• Critiques of "universal modernization" and the "learn-from-Japan" campaign
• The limits and social costs of various modernization models
• The mechanisms of civil protest and political democratization
• The impacts of economic crises on workplace culture
• The emergence of consumerism in post-socialist China

Who this course is for

• Students interested in East Asian studies, cultural anthropology, or international relations
• Professionals working in fields related to East Asian business, diplomacy, or cultural exchange
• Anyone fascinated by the interplay between global influences and local cultures
• Individuals seeking to understand the complexities of modernization and globalization in non-Western contexts
• Those interested in the rise of East Asian popular culture and its global impact

How learners can use these skills in the real world

1. Enhancing cross-cultural communication and understanding in international business settings
2. Informing policy-making decisions related to East Asian countries
3. Improving cultural sensitivity in diplomatic or NGO work
4. Providing valuable insights for marketing strategies targeting East Asian consumers
5. Enriching travel experiences to East Asian countries through deeper cultural understanding
6. Developing a more nuanced perspective on global affairs and international relations
7. Applying critical thinking skills to analyze complex societal changes in various contexts

Syllabus

1. Lecture 1: Japan as a "Model" Country of Modernization
2. Lecture 2: "Japanese" Modernization & Corporate Culture Debate
3. Lecture 3: Traditional China: Land, Lineage, and Male Domination
4. Lecture 4: From Radical Socialism to "Reform and Openness"
5. Lecture 5: Traditional Korea & "Militarized" Modernity
6. Lecture 6: Changes in Workplace & Impacts of Globalization
7. Lecture 7: Faces of Consumption in East Asia
8. Lecture 8: Japanese Popular Culture & "Korean Wave"