Admission requirements
This course is only available for Korean studies students who obtained the propaedeutic diploma and successfully completed all courses of the first semester of BA2.
Students are expected to have read Edward Said’s Orientalism prior to the first day of class. They should arrive on the first day with the following: a) the text for discussion (Orientalism) and b) a topic of interest that would be suitable for a research project.
Description
This intensive course is mandatory for BA2 students studying abroad in Korea in the second semester. The second semester offers the last opportunity for students to develop necessary writing and research skills prior to commencing their BA thesis in the third year; at the same time, they will spend much of their second semester studying abroad.
The primary goal of this class is to introduce students to the study of social and/or cultural issues in modern Korea and for students to produce their own literature review on a topic of their choice. In practice, this means that students are required to observe, reflect on, and write about their experiences during the study abroad, in particular by visiting preselected locations or via self-designed assignments of similar structure to those presented in the course syllabus.
The secondary goal is a self-directed exploration and application of theoretical literature that aims to get familiar with and define a topic area of interest to be further pursued in the BA3 final thesis.
The first assignment for this course is due prior to departure to the Republic of Korea.
Course objectives
Introduce students to social and cultural research of Korea
Further develop critical thinking and analytical skills through research-focused methods
Practice multi-scalar, complex empirical and theoretical analysis
Learn how to think about evaluating complex cultural encounters
Introduction to the fundamentals of thesis and research production
Timetable
Visit MyTimetable.
Mode of instruction
Online seminar
Research
Assessment method
Assessment (all submitted from Korea via Brightspace):
- Series of personal reflections (various formats) following field visits. Details of the field visits will be made available on Brightspace (3 x 15% = 45% of final grade).
- Essay (one or more of: theoretical application, primary source analysis or fieldwork notes) (max. 3000 words; 55% of final grade).
Weighing
The final mark for the course is established by determining the weighted average of the assessment elements above. To pass the course, students must receive an overall mark of 5.50 [=6] or higher and a passing grade for the essay assignment (part 2, a mark of 5.5 or higher).
Resit
Students who fail the course (receiving an overall mark of 5.49 [=5] or lower) must take a resit. Only one resit is possible and it consists of a literature review of 8,000 words (100% of the grade). No supervision is provided in the case of a resit. Resits must be completed within 3 weeks from the instructor notifying the student. The course is an integrated whole. All categories must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.
Course Policies:
The course is conducted mostly online, and as such there is no attendance requirement. However, failure to submit assignments will result in a penalty. Late submission will also incur a less stringent penalty. The instructor reserves the right to require student submission of any notes, first drafts, outlines or preparatory work for any assignment.
To pass the course, students must receive an overall mark of 5.50 [=6] or higher and a passing grade for the essay assignment (part 2, a mark of 5.5 or higher). Students who fail the course (receiving an overall mark of 5.49 [=5] or lower) must take a resit. Only one resit is possible and it consists of a literature review of 8,000 words (100% of the grade). No supervision is provided in the case of a resit. Resits must be completed within 3 weeks from the instructor notifying the student. The course is an integrated whole. All categories must be completed in the same academic year. No partial marks can be carried over into following years.
Students may make an appointment with the instructor within 30 days of the announcement of the assessment grades in order to discuss their work.
Reading list
Not applicable.
Registration
Enrolment through uSis is mandatory.
General information about uSis is available in English and Dutch.
Registration Studeren à la carte en Contractonderwijs
Not applicable.