Korea Resources (Updated Fall 2009)

This section includes the following:

• Publications
• Organizations (Cultural and Community)
• Opportunities for Students
• Videos/CDs/DVDs/Audio tapes
• Recommended history books
• Recommended literature
• Bringing Korea into the Curriculum (Mary Connor, Helie Lee, and Sung Kim - lessons from UCLA Symposium, October 2007)

Publications:

Asian Educational Media Service, Center for East Asian and Pacific Studies, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, 230 International Studies Building, MC-483, 910 South Fifth Street, Champaign, IL 61820. http://www.aems.uiuc.edu. The web site provides resources for K-12 teachers. Four times a year the service publishes “News and Reviews.” It includes excellent film reviews and helps educators locate audio-visual resources for teaching and learning about China, Japan, Korea, and Southeast Asia. E-mail:

Education About Asia. Three issues per year. “This innovative magazine is a resource for teachers at all educational levels who wish to bring information on Asia to their classrooms. It offers highly readable feature articles; essays on educational programs and techniques; and reviews of books, films, videos, CD-Roms, web sites and software.” $25.00 per year for non-members and $15.00 per year for members of the Association for Asian Studies. Association for Asian Studies, 1021 East Huron Street, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48104. E-mail: .  Website: http://www.aasianst.org

Go to Google and enter “Education About Asia.” When you find this, go to “Articles” and there will be outstanding information on Asia and lessons. Back issues and articles will be located under “Table of Contents.”

Silla Korea and the Silk Road: Golden Age, Golden Threads. (2006) This lesson book isan outstanding newly published resource for high school world history, geography and Asian studies classes. Maps, timelines, and descriptions of the Silk Road rarely show Korea’s integral involvement in Silk Road trade or the transmission of Silk Road ideas and goods from Korea to Japan. The overall purpose of this carefully researched lesson book is to expand the view of the Silk Road and of international trade found in most world history textbook and classes. Silla shows an Eastern instead of a Western view of Silk Road trade and deals with a time period that produced one of the world’s “Golden Ages.” The lesson also provides material for a debate on whether or not Silla benefited from the international connections along the Silk Road. Students may come to understand that some of the issues of globalization that we face today were also present for past cultures as well. This is available for $20 from The Korea Society.

Learning from Asian Art: Koreais an exceptional teaching resource. Educators who know little about Korea can be confident in adopting the lessons with minimal preparation time. Teachers of all levels will be able to adapt these materials for their specific needs. Beautiful photographs and slides inspire assignments and research in art, history and language arts classes. The kit contains a resource book, a sizable map of Korea, a helpful comparative time line, twenty photographs, ten image cards and sixteen slides that include images of clay roof tiles, Buddhist sculpture, ceramics, folk art, furniture and screens from the 7th century to the work of a contemporary Korean artist. The resource book provides accurate and clear historical information, group activities and research ideas related to every art object. Creative projects, such as making 3-D dragons, clay tiles, scroll paintings and treasure boxes, are included with every photograph. The book also includes “looking questions,” a helpful glossary, a bibliography and Internet sites that provide more images of Korean art located in Asian and American museums.

This outstanding resource is available from the Philadelphia Art Museum’s museum shop at www.philamuseum.org. for $39.95.

Teaching More About KOREA, Lessons for Students in Grades K-12. This book of lesson plans was developed by the 1995 Korea Society fellows. It can be purchased for a $10.00 check payable to the Korea Society. The Korea Society, 950 Third Avenue, 8th Floor, New, NY 10022. E-mail:   or check the web site: www.koreasociety.org

Korea: Lessons for Elementary School, created by the Korea Society. It includes two particularly helpful and creative lessons: “Let’s go to Korea,” and “Storytelling in Korea.” Available from the Korea Society for $10.00.

Korean Girl and Boy Paper Dolls. Yuko Green. Dover publications has a series on paper dolls wearing traditional Korean costumes for very young children. The series includes paper dolls with traditional dress from Japan, China, India and Polynesia. The ISBN for Korean paper dolls is 0-486-43056-1. $3.95 www.doverpublications.com.

Korea: Lessons for High School Courses, created by the Korea Society, received the Buchanan Award in 2000. It includes exceptional lessons on any number of topics: national treasures, the miracle on the Han, the Japanese occupation, the Korean War, South Koreans in the War in Vietnam, and women. The Korean War lessons could be included in United States history classes. Available for $12.00 from the Korea Society.

KoreAm Journal. This journal is published monthly nationwide to provide a forum for English-speaking Korean Americans. It includes feature stories, poetry, fiction, artwork, and photographs. This journal is an essential and engaging resource for young Korean Americans. E-mail:   $28.00 per year. KoreAm Journal, 17813 South Main Street #112, Gardena, CA. 90248 (310) 769-4913.

Koreana: Korean Art and Culture. A fascinating quarterly journal published by the Korean Foundation. Beautiful photographs. Includes articles on Korea past and present. Provides on-line abstracts of articles and accompanying photographs at http://www.kf.or.kr/koreafocus. For subscriptions write The Korea Foundation, C.P.O. Box 2147, Seoul, Korea. Free copies may be obtained from the Korean Cultural Center in Los Angeles.

U.S.-South Korean Relations (SPICE/Stanford.) This curriculum unit introduces students to the four core pillars of the U.S.-South Korean alliance: democracy, economic prosperity, security, and socio-cultural interaction. Through their study of these pillars, students develop an understanding of the nature and history of this longstanding relationship. Softcover. $44.95. It includes a CD-ROM of images and PowerPoint presentation. Very suitable for U.S. history, Asian Studies, Economics, and Government classes.

Organizations (Los Angeles Community Organizations):

Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC). This organization is a non-profit, community-based organization whose programs and services are geared to the needs of the immigrant Korean population, especially women, children and low-income families, who are struggling emotionally, psychologically and socially in their adopted environment. It mission is to support and strengthen Korean American families and individuals through counseling, education, and other social services in the greater Los Angeles area. Address: 3727 W. 6th Street, Ste. 320, Los Angeles, Ca 90020. Phone: (213) 389-6755. 

Korean Health Education, Information and Research Center (KHEIR). The objective of KHEIR is to serve and provide health, human and social services to the low-income, monolingual/limited English-speaking Korean and Latino communities of Koreatown and outlying areas in a culturally and linguistically appropriate manner. KHEIR has several phone numbers for various services. Community Clinic: (213) 637-1070, Human Services: (213) 637-1080, and Adult Day Health Care Center Vermont: (213) 389-6565.

Koreatown Youth and Community Center (KYCC). KYCC’s mission is to serve the evolving needs of the Korean American population in the greater Los Angeles area, as well as the multi-ethnic Koreatown community. Its programs and services are directed toward recently immigrated, economically disadvantaged youth and their families, and works to promote community socioeconomic empowerment. The main office is located at 3727 W. 6th Street, Suite 300, Los Angeles, CA. 90020. Phone (213) 365-7400. www.kyccla.org.

Center for the Pacific Asian Family. The center serves the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) community and embraces healthy relationships and works in partnership with other communities to eradicate all forms of violence. Programs are rooted in the understanding that ending violence requires an approach that is sensitive to the cultural sensibilities and perspectives of our communities, while simultaneously challenging them to address the complex underlying causes of family violence and violence against women. To this end, CPAF's multi-tiered strategy incorporates intervention, prevention, community education, and community partnerships. Address: 543 No. Fairfax Avenue #108, Los Angeles, CA 90036. Phone: (323) 653-4045.

Hanmi Family Community Center. This center through counseling, referral, community education, youth and alternative high school programs, serves the needs of the Korean Americans and its larger communities. Address: 11501 Brookhurst Street, #201, Garden Grove, CA  92840 (714) 590-0017.

Organizations (Cultural):

Foundation for Korean Language and Culture (formerly the Foundation for SAT II Korean), 680 Wilshire Place, Suite 416, Los Angeles, CA  90005, (213) 380-5718. The Foundation is a non-profit organization whose main objective is to promote Korean language and culture throughout the United States. It was founded in 1994 in response to the Korean American community’s desire to include Korean as a foreign language option on the Scholastic Aptitude Test II (SAT II). The Korean SAT was offered for the first time in 1997 and by November 2004 approximately 4,000 took the test. The Foundation organizes annual international conferences on Korean studies, offers scholarships to middle and high school students enrolled in Korean language classes, provides scholarship for teachers enrolled in Korean language single subject teaching credential programs, provides an intensive summer training program for Korean language teachers in middle and high schools, promotes the opening and expansion of Korean language classes in middle and high schools, and provdes financial support for Korean language textbook projects and SAT II Korean practice tests. The Foundation supports a program that includes approximately thirty educators (high school administrators and district superintendents) from various parts of the United States to travel to Korea during the summer to learn about Korea, its people and language.

Korean Consulate General, 3243 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90010, (213) 385-9300. The Consulate has free materials for teachers: books, periodicals, and videos. E-mail:

Korean Cultural Center, 5505 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles, CA. 90036, (323) 936-7141. Excellent website: http://www.kccla.org.  Art museum, library of materials on Korea (in English and Korean), and a film/video loan center. The library has an impressive collection of 4,000 books in English on Korea and hundreds of VHS tapes (and some DVDs) on all aspects of Korean history and culture for individual or classroom use. The center also has a series of free classes and workshops that introduce guests to the music, dance, folk art, and language of the Korean people. A student tour of the museum can be arranged. If you wish to be on the mailing list, please notify the Korean Cultural Center.

Korean Cultural Service of New York, 460 Park Avenue, 6th floor, New York, NY 10022, (212) 759-9550, FAX (212) 688-8640, Internet: http://www.koreanculture.org

The service provides information on Korea and Korea-U.S. relations and guidance to students who wish to participate in exchange programs. The service has an extensive library of more than 10,000 books, periodicals, CD-ROMs and videotapes.

Korean Cultural Service of Washington, D.C., 2370 Massachusetts Avenue, N.W., Washington, DC 20008, (202) 797-6343, FAX (202) 387-0413, E-mail: . Internet: http://www.koreaemb.org. The service offers a variety of media resources.

Korea Society, 950 Third Avenue, 8th Floor, New York, NY 10022, (212) 759-7525, FAX (212) 759-7530, E-mail: Internet: http://www.koreasociety.org. The Korea Society is a private, nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated solely to the promotion of greater awareness, understanding and cooperation between the people of the United States and Korea. In pursuit of its mission, the society arranges programs that facilitate discussion, exchanges and research on topics of vital interest to both countries in the areas of public policy, business, education, intercultural relations and the arts.

The Korea Society, in cooperation with the Korea Foundation, offers fellowships for social studies and language-arts educators, including K-12 classroom teachers and professors or instructors in schools of education. The Korea Society also nominates five American delegates for the UNESCO youth camp each summer and pays camp participation fees. The Society also supports Project Bridge, a year long program of intercultural youth leadership activities for Los Angeles and New York high school students. The program includes a two-week education study tour of Korea every April.

Opportunities for Students:

Korean Camps

There are over twenty summer camps for Korean adoptee children throughout the United States. The camps offer opportunities for children to learn about their heritage and issues related to adoption. Young people between the ages of four and eighteen participate in such activities as learning the language, dance, drama, Taekwondo, cooking and art. Some camps offer family retreats. At this time there is no national association. Midwestern camps: Hands Around the World (Illinois) (847) 367-7862, Iowans for International Adoption (641) 423-4224, Korean Culture Camp (Michigan) (810) 229-4111 and Family for International Children Heritage Camp (Michigan) (616) 532-2937.

Korean National Commission for UNESCO, Youth Unit, P.O. Box Central 64, Seoul, Korea. E-mail: . Young adults between the ages of 18-27 are eligible to participate in the International Youth Camp (IYC), which is an annual project of the Korean National Commission for UNESCO. “Over the years, IYC has enriched the lives of the nearly 3,100 young people worldwide who have been participants in the program. Through involvement in an interesting and challenging program of workshops, tours, projects and discussions on international issues, IYC participants have enjoyed opportunities for self-development, physical conditioning and intellectual stimulation. Living and working together, the participants have gained a better understanding of themselves, each other and the world around them.”

Youth for Understanding

The Youth for Understanding (YFU) is a non-profit educational organization, which offers opportunities for young people around the world to spend a summer, semester or year with a host family in another culture. Website: http://www.yfu.org/

The YFU program for Korea is a six week program that includes a home stay, school classes several days a week to learn language skills and make new friends and travel to historic sites and museums. “The highlight of your stay in South Korea will be the immersion in a culture and way of life both ancient and beautiful.” The location of the information on the Korea program: http://www.youthforunderstanding.or/ao/countries/korea.htm

Videos/CD/DVDs/Audio-tapes

Parts 1 and 2 are both 60 minutes each. DVD total cost (for both Parts 1 and 2) is $29.95 for a consumer and for an educational institution $49.95.

A website (www.arirangeducation.com) includes a remarkable collection of memorable images, sound and historical information to educate teachers and their students about the Korean American experience. A CD/DVD was released in 2005 that includes lesson plans, four short films and nine extended interviews with well-known Korean Americans.

The cost is $19.95 for an individual and $39.95 for an educational institution.

To order the DVD of the two hour documentary or the CD/DVD with interactive classroom lessons about the Korean American experience, go to the website: www.arirangeducation.com

A State of Mind. (DVD) The film dramatically conveys how an authoritarian regime has shaped the minds of its people. The film provides images of Pyongyang and the way of life of the people who reside there. Interviews reveal that North Koreans are very interested in our war in Iraq and convinced that the United States is an imperialist threat to their way of life and that our economic sanctions are the source of their hardships.

The film focuses on two delightful teenage girls who are selected to train for the Mass Games and whose lives revolve around a daily routine to prepare for the Games in hopes that the Dear Leader will be there to see them perform and know that they are good communists. The shots of the actual Mass Games where 100,000 people participate in an elaborately choreographed exhibition of dazzling colorful, perfectly synchronized routines will stay in your mind forever. Highly recommended for junior and senior high students. A DVD/ 94 minutes. Amazon.com ( $29.95).

Ch’unhyang. Im Kwon-Taek’s film based on one of Korea’s most famous folk tales. Beautiful cinematography, traditional costumes, and the hauntingly beautiful sounds of p’ansori. Released in 2001. English subtitles. Available Amazon.com

Great Tales in Asian Art. (Kultur International Films) The video was filmed on location and includes four beloved stories of India, Indonesia, Korea and Japan are told through the masterpieces of visual art. The Korean Masked Dance Drama is a fifteen-minute segment. E-mail orders: . Website: www.cheng-tsue.com. Approximate cost is $15.00.

Nuclear Nightmare: Understanding North Korea. This is an exceptional documentary that provides an overview of Korean history from the early 20th century to the Clinton and Bush administrations. It provides coverage of the hardships of life in North Korea, the leadership of Kim Jong Il, attitudes of North and South Koreans towards the United States and the challenges of the Bush administration. Google and you can access this documentary.

P’yongyang Diaries. Video. A remarkable film simply for the fact of being made. It provides a much needed counterbalance to the available print and film resources on Korea which are almost entirely devoted to South Korea and usually ignore the one third of the Korean population who live North of the DMZ. 52 minutes. Distributed by First Run Icarus Films, 1998. Purchase price: $390 and rental is $75. Phone: 1-(800) 876-1710. Web site: http://www.echony.com/~frif

Sop’yonje. (117 minutes) Video.This is the first internationally recognized Korean film. I introduced my students to this film; the impact was stunning. Sop’yonje opened their world to the human experience of being Korean in the twentieth century. Each one of my students professed loved for the film. The story takes place during the 1950s and 1960s and introduces viewers to p’ansori, the traditional music of Korea. For a copy, send a blank video and money for postage to the Korean Cultural Service, The Embassy of the Republic of Korea, 2370 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Washington, DC 20008.

Tales of Korea I and II  Podcast. Download from the Korea Society. Suitable for particularly for elementary students. Cathy Spagnoli’s captivating voice and her readings of Korean folk tales will charm all audiences. An excellent teaching technique for understanding of Korean society and culture. Highly recommend the charming story of the “Green Frog.”

“You Were My Inspiration”  This segment from a February 4, 2003 Oprah Show includes a brief interview of Helie Lee, her search for her heritage and film segments from the dramatic rescue of her North Korean relatives. This would be an excellent video to show to students from grades 5-12, particularly United States history and cultural studies classes. Helie Lee appears in the second segment of the program that originally aired on February 4, 2003. It is no longer available as a video, but a transcript of the show is available.

Highly Recommended Books:

Bird, Isabella Lucy. 2004. Korea and Her Neighbors. Boston: Adamant Media Corporation. The author was a famous traveler and writer in the late nineteenth century and visited Korea four times between 1894 and 1897. Her book is a fascinating record of the Korean people, their customs, and way of life just after the Sino-Japanese War. Her account includes her observations about Queen Min and the Liancourt rocks, which continue to be an ongoing issue between Korea and Japan.

Breen, Michael. 1998. The Koreans: Who They Are, What They Want, Where Their Future Lies. New York: Saint Martin’s Press. An informative, personal account of Korea and the Korean people today.

Connor, Mary, ed. 2009. Asia in Focus: The Koreas. This source is one of the most complete, accessible, and up-to-date resources available on both North Korea and South Korea. The audience for this book is high school and undergraduate students and their instructors. The Koreas reveals how much life on the Korean peninsula has rapidly changed in recent years. With a team of scholars comparing life in authoritarian North Korea and democratic South Korea, the reference book presents an authoritative and unprecedented look at the contrast and similarities of the two nation’s histories, geographies, politics, cultures, and societies. Cultural contents include explorations of Korean literature, music, arts, language, cuisine, and the “Korean Wave.”

Cumings, Bruce. 1997. Korea’s Place in the Sun: A Modern History. New York: W.W. Norton. An engaging and informative history which emphasizes the twentieth century. The author devotes a chapter to America’s Koreans.

Diamond Sutra Recitation Group. n.d. King Sejong the Great: The Everlasting Light of Korea. Korean Spirit and Culture Series II. The booklet is an engaging and well-written account of King Sejong’s achievements, especially the coverage on the invention of han’gul. This entire book may found on www.kscpp.net

Eckert, Carter et al. 1990. Korea Old and New: A History. Seoul: Ilchokak Publishers. 1990. This source is one of the most widely consulted and acclaimed books about Korea. It is a basic text in Korean Studies courses.

Hamel, Hendrik. 1994. Hamel’s Journal and a description of the Kingdom of Korea (1653-1666). Seoul: Royal Asiatic Society. Hamel’s fascinating account is the earliest report in a western language about Korea, its people and their customs.

Kim, Yung-Chung, ed. 1976. Women of Korea: A History from Ancient Times to 1945. Seoul: Ehwa Womans University Press. This is one of the most thorough studies to date of the status, role, and activities of Korean women through the country’s long history.

Korean Spirit and Culture Series. n.d. Admiral Yi Sun-sin. Seoul: Diamond Sutra Recitation Group. The book introduces the reader to the life and achievements of one of Korea’s great military heroes. The entire book may be found at the following website: www.kscpp.net.

Korean Spirit and Culture Promotion Project. n.d. Chung Hyo Ye: Tales of filial devotion, loyalty, respect and benevolence from the history and folklore of Korea. Seoul: Diamond Sutra Recitation Group. The booklet contains some of Korea’s most famous folk tales and conveys many of the important values in the process. The entire booklet is available by accessing the following website: www.kscpp.net

Korean Spirit & Culture Promotion Project. 2007. Fifty Wonders of Korea. Vol.1. Culture and Art. Seoul: Diamond Sutra Recitation Group. In addition to a section on printing, language, and history, the second part of this well-written book describes some of the great treasures of Korean art, architecture, ceramics, and sculpture. The booklet contains many beautiful illustrations. The complete book may be found at this website: www.kscpp.net

Lynn, Hyung Gu. 2007. Bipolar Orders: The Two Koreas since 1989. Black Point, Nova Scotia: Fernwood Publishing. Carter Eckert, Professor of Korean History (Harvard University) states that “among the plethora of recent books on Korea, this is one that truly stands out” as an essential book to read for anyone interested in contemporary Korea. While the author states that he is not against reunification, he examines whether it is a “necessary or inevitable process.”

Ethnic Peace in the American City: Building Community in Los Angeles and Beyond (1999) Chang, Edward and Jennette Diaz-Veizades.

This book “documents the nature of contemporary interethnic relations in the United States by describing the dynamics of race in inner-city Los Angeles… The authors explore practical means by which ethnically fragmented neighborhoods can work together to begin to address their common concerns before tensions become explosive.”  Paperback.

Korea’s Place in the Sun: A Modern History (1997) Bruce Cumings

Cumings, a leading American authority on modern Korea, provides the reader with an accessible, informative and exciting account of Korean history. Beginning with an overview of the nation’s cultural and political traditions, the author then focuses specifically on the country's long 20th century--a period of colonial exploitation by Japan, war, national division, rapid economic growth and political turmoil. His concluding chapter discusses the significance of the Korean migration to the United States.

North Korea: Another Country (2004)  Bruce Cumings

University of Chicago scholar, Bruce Cumings, informs us in this very readable, concise book (207 pages) that the media’s depiction of North Korea as a “psychotic, unstable and unpredictable” is false and that the nation’s policies have been quite predictable and the regime remarkably stable. Despite periodic reports that the regime is about to collapse, he writes that it is here to stay and that “the leaders of North Korea are formidable people; they should not be underestimated.” From reading this book, the underlying problem seems to be the American public’s apathy and ignorance. Hence, this is why the book is so needed.

North Korea: 2005 and Beyond (2006) Edited by Philip W. Yun and Gi-Wook Shin

The editors have included articles written by some of leading North Korean specialists in politics, economics, human rights, and security issues. The book presents a snapshot of what is happening in Korea now. Highly recommended.

Korea Old and New: A History (1990). Carter Eckert, Ki-Baik Lee, Young Ick Lew, Michael Robinson and Edward W. Wagner

This is considered by many to be the most reliable and popular history of Korea available in English. The tumultuous developments of the 20th century receive the most coverage, but the book's balanced treatment of traditional Korea emphasizes cultural events as integrally related to the political, social, and economic evolution of a very old and distinguished civilization. Five highly regarded scholars provide the reader with an understanding of each period, clarifying the past while providing an understanding of the truly remarkable changes that have taken place in Korea.

North Korea through the Looking Glass (2000). Kongdan Oh and Ralph C. Hassig

Sixty years after its founding at the beginning of the Cold War, North Korea remains one of the world’s most isolated and enigmatic nations, dominated by the official ideology of Juche, which emphasizes national self-reliance, independence, and worship of the supreme leader, Kim Jong Il. Oh and Hassig explore North Korea's stubborn adherence to policies that have failed to serve the welfare of some twenty million people. The book explains in fascinating detail how North Korea has survived the fall of the global socialist system and the significant challenges surrounding reunification.

The History of Korea (2005). Djun Kil Kim

This well written and up-to-date book will serve as a basic and concise undergraduate text. His introductory chapter is particularly engaging as he discusses misperceptions of Korea, what the nation offers the world and challenges us with a “test” question: “How old is Korean history?” Although the text is concise and professes a universal approach to Korean history, a novice may well conclude that it includes too many names and dates to hold one’s interest. It does include a very useful time line, a list of notable people and a helpful glossary of terms. The maps throughout the book help the reader visualize the development of Korea’s political geography, but readers will have to consult other sources for images of the artistic and architectural achievements of the Korean people.

A New History of Korea (1984). Ki-Baik Lee

A New History of Korea is considered one of the most comprehensive, widely read, and respected Korean Studies texts written by one of Korea’s top scholars. It is notable for the inclusion of cultural development “not merely as isolated expressions of the creative spirit of the Korean people, but as an integral component of the overall Korean historical experience.” Although some of Ki-Baik Lee’s interpretations of history remain controversial, his book has enjoyed unparalleled acceptance by academics and the educated public.

Sources of Korean Civilization, Volumes 1 and 2, (1993). Peter Lee

This anthology is the most ambitious, comprehensive, and authoritative English-language sourcebook of Korean civilization ever assembled. Encompassing social intellectual, religious, and literary traditions from ancient times through World War II, this collection reveals the body of thought, beliefs, and customs unique to the Korean people. Each section begins with a broad historical introduction to provide context and perspective, and contains representative writings from the era, with commentary, background, and analysis.

The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History (1997). Don Oberdorfer

Don Oberdofer, former Northeast Asian and diplomatic correspondent of the Washington Post, writes what is regarded as one of the best and most gripping narratives of Korean history from the 1970s to the mid-1990s. He draws upon his personal contact with top Korean leaders over four decades, investigative reporting skills and thorough academic research to achieve a very exciting and balanced narrative of a tragically divided country. One of the most memorable accounts relates to how close the United States actually came to war with North Korea during the Clinton administration.

A Concise History of Korea: From the Neolithic Period through the Nineteenth Century (2006). Michael J. Seth

Michael J. Seth, an associate professor of history at James Madison University, has written an engaging and concise history of pre-modern Korea. Seniors in high school and undergraduate students will find this book to be particularly interesting as it equally emphasizes social, cultural and political history. While focusing on Korea, he emphasizes how Korean history can be understood as part of an interactive sphere that includes China, Japan and the Manchurian/Central Asia region. He does not burden his readers with facts, but after providing detailed political developments, he inevitably steps back and explains what the details signify. This is one of the latest and most valuable new resources for teachers of Asian Studies.

Recommended for High School Libraries and/or text in Asian Studies Classes

The Koreas: A Global Studies Handbook by Mary E. Connor

Published by ABC-CLIO, April 2002. (Available for $27.50)

The Koreas  is part of a new global series on Asia that includes China, India, Indonesia, Japan, Nepal and Bangladesh, and Vietnam. The audience is secondary and undergraduate. Website: ABC-CLIO.com

"Asia in Focus: The Koreas" Editor. Authors: Mary Connor (President of the Korea Academy for Educators), Bruce Fulton (University of British Columbia), Don Kim (UCLA), Doug Kim (San Francisco State), Meher McArthur (art historian and curator), and John Song (Cal State, Northridge). Published ABC-CLIO, June 2009)
Asia in Focus: The Koreas is part of a new global series on Asia that includes China, Japan, and Korea.The audience is K-12 educators, secondary and undergraduate students, and the general reader. See publisher website: ABC-CLIO.com

Recommended Literature:

Parents Association for Asian History Education. http://www.paahe.org. This attractive web site provides a excellent list of recommended books for children and adults about Korean history and culture and the Korean American experience.

The Year of Impossible Goodbyes. Choi, Sook Nyul.  Choi provides the reader with a very moving account of the experiences of individuals during Japanese occupation, their high hopes upon liberation in 1945, their fears as Russian troops took control of North Korea and their dangerous escape to American-controlled South Korea. “Here is the incredible story of one family’s love for each other and their determination to risk everything to find freedom.” Suitable from grades 6-12.

Modern Korean Fiction: An Anthology. Fulton, Bruce and Youngmin Kwon.. Columbia University Press (2005). “In terms of its range and consistent quality, there is simply no other comparable collection. A combination of fresh, new translations of old classics and a judicious selection of more recent writing makes this long-awaited anthology a most welcome publication for anyone interested in twentieth century Korea.” Janet Poole, New York University. Recommended for a senior English class and college level students.

Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Childhood. Kim, Richard. Accessible for junior high students, Lost Names, is an outstanding literary selection for high school students. Kim recounts his own childhood and the suffering and insults inflicted on his village during Japanese occupation of Korea. The writing is simple, but poetic. The story is very touching and one of the most well written and memorable books I have read in the past ten years. (High school and possibly middle school)

In the Absence of Sun. Lee, Helie. The exciting and inspiring true story of the author’s dramatic rescue of her relatives from North Korea. See review on the Social Studies School Service website: www.SocialStudies.com/c/asianintro.html. Mary Connor, Asian Studies.

Still Life with Rice. Lee, Helie. The captivating story of the author’s discovery of her own identity and the inspiring story of her Korean grandmother’s life during Japanese occupation and the Korean War years. See review on Social Studies School Service website mentioned above.

Yello-Oh Girls: Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity and Growing Up Asian American. Nam, Vickie. Editor. Quill Publishers (an imprint of Harper Collins publishers, 2001. An excellent collection of short essays written by Asian American girls. $13.00. Suitable for junior and senior high school students.

Seesaw Girl. Park, Linda Sue. Grades 4-5.  Impatient with the constraints on her as an aristocratic girl living in the 17th century (Choson dynasty), 12-year old Jade Blossom determines to see beyond her small world. Jade Blossom can never go beyond her family’s inner court. All girls from good Korean families must learn to sew, do laundry, and work in the kitchen. This prepares them for their future lives in their husbands’ inner court. Jade has other interests. She longs to take trips to the mountains and the marketplace. If only she could read and paint, but these are things only boys can do. Jade won’t stop thinking about the world beyond the high walls of her home. Then one day she secretly sets off to do what no other girl her age has ever done before. The story is a charming story that is full of lively action and vivid descriptions, enhanced by appealing black-and-white paintings to give a clear sense of the period.

A Single Shard (2001) Park, Linda Sue.A Newberry Award Winning Book. Park’s story is alive with fascinating information about life and art in ancient (12th century) Korea. It is a tale of courage and devotion.  A single shard from a celadon vase will change the life of a young boy and his master. Grades 4-8.

The Kite Fighters. Park, Linda Sue. A story of two brothers during the Choson dynasty who enter the New Year kite competition. The story includes an exciting account of what happens when the brothers get to know the young king, participate in the kite competition, and includes a considerable amount of information about Korean culture in pre-modern Korean history. Grades 4-7th.

A Step from Heaven. Na, An. Penguin Group
The book is described in a New York Times review as a book “endowed with a haunting grace, by the exquisite voice of a new young writer. An Na chronicles the challenges faced by a Korean immigrant family. The journey An Na chronicles in Young Ju Park’s graceful and resonant voice is an acculturation process that is at times wrenching, at times triumphant and consistently absorbing.” Grades 8-12. It is also a highly recommended book for Language Arts teachers and school counselors.

Good Enough. Yoo, Paula. Harper Collins Publishers.
This is a very humorous and engaging book about a Korean American high school student. The author provides insight into the values of Korean parents, the pressures for their children to excel, and the experiences of their daughter coping with growing up Korean American. Grades 8-12. Highly recommended for high school teachers and school counselors.

When My Name was Keoko (2002) Park, Linda Sue. Inspired by her own family’s stories of living in South Korea during the Japanese occupation, Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park chronicles the compelling story of two siblings, 10 year old Sunhee and 13 year old Taeyul and their battle to maintain their identity and dignity during one of Korea’s most difficult and turbulent times. Her account is carefully researched and will be captivating for children between the ages of 10 to 14.

Bee-bim Bop! Park, Linda Sue. (2005). This is a delightful storybook that will engage all children, but particularly well suited for K-3. It includes “playful verse with a bouncy beat,” charming illustrations, humor and a recipe for a very popular Korean dish.

Project Mulberry. Park, Linda Sue. Yearling Publishers
This is a highly engaging and worthwhile book for young readers. It is a story of a Korean American fourth grader who becomes involved in a challenging project to win a blue ribbon at the state fair. Grades 4-7.

I am the Clay.  Potok, Chaim. (Korean War). An account written by a highly regarded author (The Chosen) and veteran of the Korean War. It is suitable for junior and senior high school

A Single Square Picture: A Korean Adoptee’s Search for Her Roots. Robinson, Katy. The book “is a personal odyssey that ascends to the universal, a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their place in the world – and had the courage to find the answers.”

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea. Anne Sibley O’Brien.

“Like the Western world’s Robin Hood, the legendary Hong Kil Dong of 15th century Korea stood as a champion of the poor. Gaining knowledge and power denied to him by class, Hong Kil Dong led an army of peasants against corruption and injustice. The book is beautifully illustrated and presented in cartoon form. Suitable for ages 9 and up.

________________________________________________________________________

Bringing Korea into the Curriculum:

History and Literature Classes

 Symposium on Asia, UCLA October 14, 2006

Mary Connor

Central Questions:

How can you prepare educators to teach Asia?

How do you get students interested?

Strong New Materials:

Films (Documentaries and PowerPoint Presentations)           

Lessons (Korean Art Lesson Kit and “Silla and the Silk Road”)

Interesting Methods that Work:

Engaging multiple intelligences, reading document-based questions, evaluating films about other students and documentaries about today’s world, researching and sharing family history, role-playing famous historical characters, viewing PowerPoint slides about historical developments, reading literary works, and meeting inspiring role models.

      1. Assignments make an emotional connection with the material.

Visit: http://www.socialstudies.com/connorintro.html  (If there are problems accessing the Social Studies School Service website from the Academy’s website, copy this address, and enter it below the tool bar where you customarily word process a website address and it should work)

Go to 10. “Family History Directions” and

11. “Highlights of a Class Family History 2000”

Students communicate with parents and grandparents about important events in their lives. Students realize that history is part of their own lives and not just in textbooks.

The Class Family History will be an invaluable point of reference throughout the year. For example, a teacher can remind the class that Diane Kim’s and Caroline Cha’s grandparents experienced Japanese occupation and the Korean War.

2. Assignments are based on Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences (“Asian Culture in the Classroom,” Education About Asia, Spring 1999) See Social Studies School Service: www.socialstudies.com/c/connorintro.html. (If there are problems accessing the Social Studies School Service website from the Academy’s website, copy this address and enter it below the tool bar where you customarily word process a website address and it should work)

Click on “Asian Culture in the Classroom” and after reading the article, see Article II and the Application of Howard Gardner’s Multiple Intelligences Theory.

Students have a wide range of choices for their projects, find new interests, develop new skills, and celebrate Asian cultures ( abacus, calligraphy, changgo drums, feng shui, flower arranging, Hangeul, I Ching,  taekwondo, landscape painting, Zen tea ceremony).

3. Role playing (Research, create a script, and speak as a famous person)

Visit: http://www.aasianst.org/eaa-toc.htm

Click on “Sample Articles,” and then on Famous Koreans: Six Portraits, (2001). Four additional famous Koreans may be found at http://www.socialstudies.com/c/asianintro.html. See “Asian Studies: Mary Connor.”  (Example: Queen Sondok at the end of Mary Connor’s Symposium information. This role playing exercise will make your history class very lively; students do research, have fun, and see their friends do history with pizzazz.

4. Understanding the Contemporary World

Top Ten Things to Know About Korea in the 21st Century

Combine Professor Edward Shultz’s Education About Asia essay “What You Need to Know About Korea” that can be found by accessing:  http://www.aasianst.org/eaa-toc.htm. Click on Sample Articles and you will find Shultz’s essay. Combine this with his PowerPoint lecture “Why Americans Need to Know About the Koreas.” (Google, Foreign Policy Research Institute, Philadelphia, Home Page, Scroll down left column and

Click on Audio/Video Library, then click on Ned Shultz, 4/9/05 on the Koreas).

His essay provides sufficient background information for a teacher to utilize the PowerPoint lesson. Because there are ten parts to Shultz’s essay, students could be assigned one part. As the teacher shows the slides, students could then be responsible for participating in the exercise by providing information from the article. Update the statistics: The population of North Korea is still about 22 million, South Korea 49 million, and the total for Korean peninsula is 71 million. On another slide add that South Korea is one of the top three most wired nations).

5. Seeing students their own age living very different lives.

A State of Mind. (DVD) The film dramatically conveys how an authoritarian regime has shaped the minds of its people. The film provides images of Pyongyang and the way of life of its residents. Interviews reveal that North Koreans are frightened by the U.S. war in Iraq and convinced that our nation is an imperialist threat and our economic sanctions the source of their hardships. The film focuses on two delightful teenage girls who are selected to train for the Mass Games and whose lives revolve around a daily routine to prepare for the Games in hopes that the Dear Leader will be there to see them perform and know that they are good communists. The shots of the Mass Games show 100,000 people participating in an elaborately choreographed exhibition of dazzling colorful and perfectly synchronized routines. It is difficult to forget these images. Junior and senior high students. A DVD/ 94 minutes. Amazon.com ($29.95).

Questions for discussion:

• In what ways are the two girls very different from typical American children their own age? In what ways are they similar?
• What do you learn about life in Pyongyang, the capital of North Korea?
• Compare the representation of North Korea in the US media versus what you see in the documentary.
• Based on what you saw in the video would you consider North Korea more or less of a threat than what you thought prior to watching it?
• Explain how the Mass Games inculcate in each performer the ethos of the group over the individual for the collective good.
• Describe the beauty as well as the disturbing elements of the Mass Games.
• What understanding do you have of communism, juche and dictatorship as a result of watching this film?

6. Viewing films that relate to a particular ethnic group represented in the school’s population.

Arirang I and II (DVD) and Arirang (Interactive Classroom CD)

“Arirang 1 & 2”  The documentary has two parts, “The Korean American Journey,” which covers Korean (Japanese occupation., the Independence Movement and the Korean War) and Korean American history from 1903 to about 1960, and “the Korean American Dream,” which continues the story through the Los Angeles Riots to the present. Parts 1 and 2 are 60 minutes each. DVD total cost (for both Parts 1 and 2) is $29.95 for an individual and for an educational institution $49.95. A CD/DVD was released in 2005 that includes lesson plans, four short films and nine extended interviews with well-known Korean Americans. The cost is $19.95 for an individual and $39.95 for an educational institution. To order the DVD of the two hour documentary or the CD/DVD with interactive classroom lessons about the Korean American experience, go to the website: www.arirangeducation.com

7. Document-Based Questions. See handouts (“Bringing Korea into the Curriculum: United States, World, and European History”) by Mary Connor (Education About Asia, Winter 2003).

The DBQ relates to late 19th/early 20th imperialism and the role that Europe, United States, and Japan played in paving the way for the Japanese occupation of Korea.

This DBQ is challenging, but students will feel honored if a teacher is confident in their ability to interpret the documents, ascertain different points of view, and draw conclusions.

8. Visuals (PowerPoint presentations – introduce subject matter with visual images before reading from the text and later as a summation of a unit)

CD: Korean flag, Korean food, Pre-modern Korean history, Silla and the Silk Road, Japanese Colonial Period, (American Revolution/Independence Movement), Korean Independence Movement, and the Korean War. The underlined slide lectures include activity sheets for class and homework. (Note: These are available for teachers who attend the Korea Academy for Educators seminars and workshops. At least 17 PowerPoint lectures are distributed during our programs)

9. Literature (K-12) The Year of Impossible Goodbyes. Choi, Sook Nyul. Choi provides the reader with a very moving account of the experiences of individuals during Japanese occupation, their high hopes upon liberation in 1945, their fears as Russian troops took control of North Korea and their dangerous escape to American-controlled South Korea. “Here is the incredible story of one family’s love for each other and their determination to risk everything to find freedom.” Suitable for grades 6-12.

Echoes of the White Giraffe (1994) Sook Nyul Choi, Sookan, the unforgettable heroine of “The Year of Impossible Goodbyes,” is now fifteen years old and a refugee in Pusan, a city in a southern province of Korea. The Korean War is raging, and she once again has been separated from her father and brothers. Anxiously awaiting any news of them, Sookan imagines a time when she can return to a normal life in Seoul. In the meantime, though she often feels sad, alone, and scared, she finds solace in a forbidden friendship with the mysterious “shouting poet” who offers her and her fellow refugees inspiration each morning. The book gives the reader a revealing look at the role of women in Korean society and provides the reader with an engrossing and romantic story of an exceptional young woman’s coming of age. It is also a captivating story about perseverance and the value of education for young people.

Modern Korean Fiction: An Anthology. Fulton, Bruce and Youngmin Kwon. Columbia University Press (2005). “In terms of its range and consistent quality, there is simply no other comparable collection. A combination of fresh, new translations of old classics and a judicious selection of more recent writing makes this long-awaited anthology a most welcome publication for anyone interested in twentieth century Korea.” Janet Poole, New York University. Recommended for senior English class and college-level students.

Lost Names: Scenes from a Korean Childhood. Kim, Richard. Accessible for junior high students, Lost Names is an outstanding literary selection for high school students. Kim recounts his own childhood and the suffering and insults inflicted on his village during Japanese occupation of Korea. The writing is simple, but poetic. The story is very touching and one of the best written and memorable books I have read in the past ten years. (High school and possibly middle school)

In the Absence of Sun. Lee, Helie. The exciting and inspiring true story of the author’s dramatic rescue of her relatives from North Korea. (High school)

Still Life with Rice. Lee, Helie. The captivating story of the author’s discovery of her own identity and the inspiring story of her Korean grandmother’s life during Japanese occupation and the Korean War years. (High school)

Yello-Oh Girls: Emerging Voices Explore Culture, Identity and Growing Up Asian American. Nam, Vickie. Editor. Quill Publishers (an imprint of Harper Collins publishers, 2001). An excellent collection of short essays written by Asian American girls. $13.00. Suitable for junior and senior high school students.

A Single Shard. Park, Linda Sue.A Newberry Award Winning Book (2001). Park’s story is alive with fascinating information about life and art in ancient (12th century) Korea. It is a tale of courage and devotion.  A single shard from a celadon vase will change the life of a young boy and his master. Grades 4-8.

When My Name was Keoko. Park, Linda Sue (2002). Inspired by her own family’s stories of living in South Korea during the Japanese occupation, Newbery Medal-winning author Linda Sue Park chronicles the compelling story of two siblings, 10 year old Sunhee and 13 year old Taeyul and their battle to maintain their identity and dignity during one of Korea’s most difficult and turbulent times. Her account is carefully researched and will be captivating for children between the ages of 10 to 14.

Bee-bim Bop! Park, Linda Sue. (2005). This is a delightful storybook that will engage all children, but particularly well suited for K-3. It includes “playful verse with a bouncy beat,” charming illustrations, humor and a recipe for a very popular Korean dish.

A Single Square Picture: A Korean Adoptee’s Search for Her Roots. Robinson, Katy. The book “is a personal odyssey that ascends to the universal, a story that will resonate with anyone who has ever questioned their place in the world – and had the courage to find the answers.”  (High school)

The Legend of Hong Kil Dong: The Robin Hood of Korea. Anne Sibley O’Brien. “Like the Western world’s Robin Hood, the legendary Hong Kil Dong of 15th century Korea stood as a champion of the poor. Gaining knowledge and power denied to him by class, Hong Kil Dong led an army of peasants against corruption and injustice. The book is beautifully illustrated and presented in cartoon form.” Suitable for ages 9 and up.

10. Introducing Students to Inspiring Role Models “You Were My Inspiration”

This segment from a February 4, 2003 Oprah Show includes a brief interview of Helie Lee, her search for her heritage and film segments from the dramatic rescue of her North Korean relatives. This would be an excellent video to show to students from grades 5-12, particularly United States history and cultural studies classes. Helie Lee appears in the second segment of the program that originally aired on February 4, 2003. The video purchase price is $29.95. For further information, see http://tapesandtranscripts.oprah.com. Go to 2003, then February 4, 2003. Purchase price is $29.95.

Strong New Materials:

Learning from Asian Art: Koreais an exceptional teaching resource. Educators who know little about Korea can be confident in adopting the lessons with minimal preparation time. Teachers of all levels will be able to adapt these materials for their specific needs. Beautiful photographs and slides inspire assignments and research in art, history and language arts classes. The kit contains a resource book, a sizable map of Korea, a helpful comparative timeline, twenty photographs, ten image cards and sixteen slides that include images of clay roof tiles, Buddhist sculpture, ceramics, folk art, furniture and screens from the 7th century to the work of a contemporary Korean artist. The resource book provides accurate and clear historical information, group activities and research ideas related to every art object. Creative projects, such as making 3-D dragons, clay tiles, scroll paintings and treasure boxes, are included with every photograph. The book also includes “looking questions,” a helpful glossary, a bibliography and Internet sites that provide more images of Korean art located in Asian and American museums.

This outstanding resource is available from the Philadelphia Art Museum’s museumshop at www.philamuseum.org. for $39.95.

Silla Korea and the Silk Road: Golden Age, Golden Threads. (2006) The lesson book isan outstanding newly published resource for high school world history, geography and Asian studies classes. Maps, timelines, and descriptions of the Silk Road rarely show Korea’s integral involvement in Silk Road trade or the transmission of Silk Road ideas and goods from Korea to Japan. The overall purpose of this carefully researched lesson book is to expand the view of the Silk Road and of international trade found in most world history textbook and classes. Silla shows an Eastern instead of a Western view of Silk Road trade and deals with a time period that produced one of the world’s “Golden Ages.” The lesson also provides material for a debate on whether or not Silla benefited from the international connections along the Silk Road. Students may come to understand that some of the issues of globalization we face today were also present for past cultures. This is available for $20 from The Korea Society.

Queen Sondok (Reigned 632–47 c.e. Education About Asia

Why am I one of the few women to have authority in Korean history? During my reign Confucianism still had minimal influence. Even though Confucius lived 500 years before the birth of Christ, his philosophy has greater influence on people of Asian descent in the United States now than it had in my time; however, the Confucian ideal of an ethical-moral system was working its way into my kingdom. In Silla we had no prejudice against women rulers. My people believed in Buddhism, Daoism and Shamanism.

I am very kind, respectful, wise and far-sighted. I am known for my powers to predict the future. The people of Silla are fortunate to have me for their leader. The Korean peninsula is a very violent place. We struggle with two other rival kingdoms: Koguryo and Paekche. Paekche, under King Mu, is intent upon destroying Silla. The kingdom of Koguryo is so strong that it even defeats the forces of the emperor of T’ang China. When Koguryo and Paekche ally against Silla, I seek help from the T’ang dynasty. Thus, I initiate a pro-T’ang policy that would help pave the way for the unification of the peninsula under Silla.

In spite of the fact that I have to worry about the defense and security of my kingdom and even a plot to usurp my throne, I dedicate myself to improving the life of my people. Since I value the importance of education, I send students to China to receive the best education possible. Even though my reign is relatively short, there is much cultural and religious advancement.

Under my direction the Buddhist temple of Punhwangsa, the nine-tiered pagoda of Hwangnyongsa, and one of the oldest astronomical observatories in the world, Ch’omsongdae, is completed. In your time this observatory is still considered one of the most important structures in Korea. I also order the construction of the famous nine-tiered pagoda of Hwangnyongsa to protect us from foreign invasions. While it does protect us, it will be destroyed during the Mongol invasions of the thirteenth century; however, enough of the foundation remains, so you can still get an idea of its former glory. If you travel to Korea, come to Kyongju, the ancient capital of the Silla, and you can see the mounds covering the tombs where our leaders are buried. You will be impressed by the splendid gold crowns, necklaces, pendants and earrings that have been discovered in our burial mounds. These are just a few of the jewels of my queendom. They exemplify a golden age in Korean history.

 Symposium on Asia, UCLA

Helie Lee

Documents (Microsoft Word Format)

Sung S. Kim

Documents (Microsoft Word Format)