Summer Session II: Enroll Now in EA 40: Being Korean in Japan
Department: East Asian Studies
Post Date: February 28, 2018News Details
Course description:
Who are Zainichi Koreans (Koreans in Japan)? How are they different from Koreans in Korea or in the United States? Contemporary Korean TV dramas and films depict South Koreans as attractive and successful people, who appeal to Hallyu (Korean Wave) fans around the world. However, Zainichi Koreans, who suffered from the painful consequences of Japanese colonialism, have been portrayed as abusive husbands/fathers, pitiful wives/mothers, or juvenile delinquents, etc. in Japanese and Korean cinema and literature. In this course, we will explore a little-known yet significant representation of Koreanness. By focusing on what love, family, and friendship mean for Zainichi Koreans, we will discover new aspects of transnational exchange not only between Japanese and Koreans but also between South and North Koreans in Japan. Through close readings of novels and films, we will consider the sociohistorical contexts relevant to these cultural representations of Zainichi Koreans. All class materials will be available in English translation or English subtitles.