Portland Community College | Portland, Oregon Portland Community College

CCOG for HST 107 Spring 2024

View archive version »
Course Number:
HST 107
Course Title:
History of Korea and Japan
Credit Hours:
4
Lecture Hours:
40
Lecture/Lab Hours:
0
Lab Hours:
0

Course Description

Explores the history of Korea and Japan and their dynamic relationship from pre-history to modern times. Includes political, diplomatic, economic, social, religious, and cultural themes. Prerequisites: WR 115, RD 115 and MTH 20 or equivalent placement test scores. Audit available.

Intended Outcomes for the course

Upon completion students should be able to:

  • Articulate and interpret an understanding of key historical facts and events in the history of Korea and Japan.
  • Identify the influence of culturally based practices, values, and beliefs to analyze how historically defined meanings of difference affect human behavior.
  • Identify and investigate historical theses, evaluate information and its sources, and use appropriate reasoning to construct evidence-based arguments on historical issues.
  • Construct a well-organized historical argument using effective, appropriate, and accurate language.

Social Inquiry and Analysis

Students completing an associate degree at Portland Community College will be able to apply methods of inquiry and analysis to examine social contexts and the diversity of human thought and experience.

General education philosophy statement

This course requires students to focus on the history of Korea and Japan from a variety of different perspectives, considering the ways in which the experiences of people in the past have been shaped by factors like social class, gender, race, religious belief, and ideology. Students must also evaluate relationships between different cultures, whether defined in terms of political identity (such as interactions between the people of two or more nations) or in terms of cultural groups within a larger society. One of the key goals of this course is to provide a perspective on the contemporary world that is grounded in a robust and accurate understanding of the past, ultimately in the name of encouraging a greater sense of social responsibility.

Outcome Assessment Strategies

Assess by using any combination of the following:
· Exams
· Essays
· Oral presentations
· Research projects
· Servicelearning projects
· Class participation and discussion
· Other creative assignments

Course Content (Themes, Concepts, Issues and Skills)

Competencies and Skills:

  • Identify the characteristics of Korea and Japan, including their historical relationship
  • Identify key historical, political, geographical, social, economic and cultural aspects of Korea and Japan
  • Appraise how these changed over time, particularly in relationship with each other
  • Analyze and evaluate primary and secondary sources
  • Connect evidence to its relevant historical context
  • Evaluate different interpretations of past events and construct your own
  • Recognize and understand the basis for various interpretations and views of historical issues
  • Identify an historian’s thesis and supporting evidence
  • Select what is important from a large body of material
  • Connect present day events to the past

Themes, Concepts, Issues:
Themes in Chinese history affecting both Korea and Japan:

  • China’s regional role
  • Confucianism

Korea:

  • Prehistoric Korea
  • Proto Three Kingdoms
  • Three Kingdoms: Shilla (Silla), Goguryeo (Koguryo), Baekje (Paekche)
  • Unified Shilla (Silla) and Balhae (Parhae)
  • Goryeo (KoryO) Unification
  • Joseon (Choson) Dynasty
  • Korean Empire
  • Japanese Colonial Rule
  • World War II
  • Republic of Korea
  • Korea Divided
  • Contemporary Koreas

Japan:

  • Prehistoric Japan
  • Yamato Period
  • Nara Period
  • Heian Period
  • Kamakura Period
  • Ashikaga Period
  • Unification of Japan
  • Tokugawa period
  • Meiji Restoration
  • Modernization and Imperialism
  • World War II
  • Postwar Japan
  • Contemporary Japan

Explore the relationship between Korea and Japan throughout history considering such factors as: 

  • Geography
  • Social hierarchy
  • Gender
  • Institutions
  • Political and economic structures
  • Imperial governments
  • Law
  • Cultural contributions
  • Philosophies and religions