International Politics in the Korean Peninsula

This course is divided into three parts. First, you’ll learn how the Chinese World Order emerged in the ancient world, focusing on the concept of the "heavenly mandate" (天命) as the ultimate source of political power (1 module). You’ll also learn how the Chinese World Order expanded into the relationship between China and surrounding political entities (1 module) and several challenges when the Qing (淸) Empire replaced the Ming (明) Empire. Second, this course will review how China tried to project its world order into the relationship with Korea and Korea came to be integrated into the Chinese World Order from the 14th century to the 18th century (4 modules). More specifically, it will show how China intervened in the interstate trade and Korean music. Finally, it will compare the two trajectories of political thoughts between Korea and Japan since 17th century. Korea fantasized itself as the genuine heir and center of the Chinese World Order, closing its door to foreigners. Meanwhile, Japan overcame the Chinese World Order and eventually converted itself as a modern state (1 module). The working language is Korean with English subtitles.