0000395 - HISTORY OF KOREA

courses

ID:

0000395

Duration (hours):

54

CFU:

SSD:

History of East and South East Asia

Located in:

UNIVERSITÀ DEGLI STUDI DI NAPOLI "L'ORIENTALE"

Url:

Course Details:

Oriental and African Languages and Cultures/Percorso Comune Year: 1

Year:

2025

Date/time interval

Primo Semestre (29/09/2025 - 16/01/2026)

Course Objectives

Ability to apply knowledge and understanding

Students are expected to demonstrate a solid understanding of the main historical, political, social, economic, and cultural issues related to ancient and premodern Korea, up to the end of the Chosŏn period. They should also be able to apply the acquired knowledge to the analysis of historical texts and phenomena using appropriate critical tools.

Further expected learning outcomes

Independent judgment

Students should be able to manage and re-elaborate the knowledge acquired independently, showing critical thinking skills and formulating evaluations even when faced with partial or complex information.

Communication skills

Students should be able to present the acquired knowledge clearly and coherently, making appropriate use of disciplinary vocabulary and methodological tools.

Learning skills

By the end of the course, students should have developed the necessary skills to pursue further studies in related fields with a good level of autonomy, expanding and deepening their knowledge in the area of historical sciences and East Asian studies.

Course Prerequisites

It is strongly recommended that students acquire the ability to read the Korean alphabet (Han'gŭl) and develop a basic understanding of Korean pronunciation, as these skills are essential for learning key historical vocabulary and for a proper understanding of the course content.

Teaching Methods

Lectures supported by slides, which will be presented during class and made available to students.

Assessment Methods

The exam consists of a written test divided into three sections: 5 multiple-choice questions (1 point each), 5 short open-ended questions (2 points each), and 3 long open-ended questions, each worth up to 5 points.

The final grade, expressed out of 30, will be based on the overall performance in the written exam, the completeness of answers, the correct use of specialized terminology, and the ability to analyze and synthesize content.

The exam will be conducted in Italian, with the option to take it in English upon request. In exceptional cases, and when classroom availability or logistical conditions prevent the regular written test, the exam may be held orally.

Texts

For the exam preparation, students are required to study all lecture slides and the handouts provided during the course, as well as the following texts:

De Benedittis, Andrea, Introduzione alla cultura coreana, HOEPLI, 2018.

Riotto, Maurizio, Storia della Corea, Bompiani, 2005. (up to the year 1800).

Recommended readings:

Lee, Ki-baik: A New History of Korea, Harvard University Press, 1984.

Lee, Peter (ed.): Fonti per lo studio della civiltà coreana (three volumes), ObarraO edizioni, 2000, 2001, 2002.

De Benedittis, Andrea: Rappresentare l'aldilà / Rappresentazione della morte nelle pitture parietali di Koguryo, Mimesis, 2013.

De Benedittis, Andrea: I “hwarang”, poeti e guerrieri di Silla, Cafoscarina, 2024.

There is no distinction between attending and non-attending students.

This course aims to introduce students to the study of Korean history from prehistoric times to the dawn of modernity, providing fundamental knowledge and basic methodological tools for understanding the historical development of the Korean peninsula. It outlines the major events of each historical period, with particular attention to the institutional, political, economic, and social aspects that shaped their evolution. Alongside this chronological overview, the course explores key themes and essential concepts—such as the role of ideology, power dynamics, and the construction of historical memory—that are crucial for navigating Korean history and its processes. A dedicated section will also focus on the learning of basic historical terminology through the introduction of selected Chinese characters, with the aim of acquiring the essential vocabulary related to premodern Korean history. The course’s primary objective is to offer a solid and critical foundation in premodern Korean history, thereby equipping students with the tools necessary to engage meaningfully with other disciplines related to the East Asian area.