When Tigers Smoke: Songs and Stories from Traditional Korea

This course has two purposes: (1) to introduce major works and topics in Korean classical literature and the cultural world in which they were produced and (2) to explore modern reimaginings of these historical works and events and wider context through contemporary literature and film. The former involves a journey through various genres, including foundation myths, songs, biographies, essays, poetry, fiction, memoirs, letters and oral performance, all produced before the 20th century. For a modern perspective, the course turns to films, dramas, cartoons and short stories, which serve as the basis for discussing the modern recreations of historical events, characters, and Korean culture more broadly. In addition to details of the works themselves, topics will include Korea's place in the context of a Sino-centric world order; the significance of two writing systems, hanmun (literary Chinese) and han'gul (Korean vernacular writing); gender and literary practice; and the dynamic relationship between tradition and creativity. No knowledge of Korean history or language is required. All readings in English.
Course Attributes: EN H; BU IS; AS HUM; AS LCD; FA HUM; AR HUM

When Tigers Smoke: Songs and Stories from Traditional Korea

EAST ASIAN LANGUAGES & CULTURES 370

Section 01