HISTORY OF KOREAN ART 2

The course is classified as a foundational subject within the second-year curriculum of the Bachelor’s Degree in *Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa*, Korean Studies pathway. It aims to provide students with the knowledge and analytical tools necessary to understand and independently examine the cultural heritage of the Korean Peninsula in the modern and contemporary periods.

The course objectives are to develop students’ critical and analytical skills in relation to the artistic production of the Korean Peninsula from the Chosŏn period to the present day, through the application of the analytical approaches and tools introduced during the course. Particular emphasis will be placed on examining the connections between artistic production and the historical, political and social developments of the Korean Peninsula.

Knowledge:
- Knowledge of the terminology used to distinguish between artistic production in the modern and contemporary periods within the fields of Korean and Western art;
- Knowledge of the causes and motivations underlying the development of different artistic periods and the characteristics that distinguish the artistic production of specific periods;
- Knowledge of the principal artistic movements, major artists, and key institutions within the Korean Peninsula’s art sector during the period covered by the course.

Skills:
- The ability to exercise critical and logical judgement in recognising and distinguishing between different artists and major artistic movements;
- The ability to communicate and present concepts and themes using language and terminology appropriate to the field;
- The ability to critically consult the recommended texts and digital materials directly accessible to students;
- The ability to identify appropriate sources for further study and research.

Intended Learning Outcomes:
Although attendance and participation are not compulsory, they are strongly recommended in order to enable students to take an active part in discussions and in the critical engagement with the works examined through lectures and an end-of-course workshop. The learning activities offered by the course will enable students to:
- Acquire an understanding of the principal developments and frameworks of Korean art history from the Chosŏn period to the present day;
- Compare different artistic periods, forms of artistic production and artists within specific historical and social contexts;
- Critically evaluate the artistic production examined during the course, as well as the sources recommended during the course and those independently consulted;
- Present the knowledge and content required by the syllabus clearly and independently, and recognise works of particular significance within the artistic landscape of the Korean Peninsula.

Knowledge of the modern and contemporary history of the Korean Peninsula is recommended but not compulsory. The course naturally follows on from Module 1, *History of Korean Art (Prehistory–Chosŏn)* (LT2490), and constitutes the second part of the Korean Art History module within the Korean Studies pathway of the Bachelor’s Degree in *Languages, Cultures and Societies of Asia and Mediterranean Africa*. For this reason, a basic knowledge of Korean art is desirable, although it is not strictly necessary for understanding the course content.

Students interested in the topics covered by the course who are enrolled in programmes other than the above-mentioned are also welcome to attend. The course will provide the information and teaching materials necessary to support students’ understanding of the subject.

Finally, a good command of written and spoken English is required in order to understand the lectures, slides and bibliographical materials used by the instructor during the course.

The in-person lectures will address the following topics and will follow the programme outlined below:

- Introduction to the course and overview of early Chosŏn-period art, from 1392 until 1600;
- Royal, religious and ritual architecture during the Chosŏn period;
- The arts and artistic production of the late Chosŏn period (1600–1910);
- The artistic transition from the late Chosŏn period to the early colonial period (1911–1920);
- Korean arts during the period of Japanese colonial rule (1920–1945);
- Korean art in the post-war period (1953–1974);
- Korean art in the 1980s and the emergence of Minjung Art;
- Korean art, artists and artistic movements in the 1990s and the twenty-first century;
- Photography on the Korean Peninsula;
- Women in Korean art: women artists and feminism;
- North Korea: the artistic scene, symbols, techniques and leading figures of modern and contemporary art;
- Art institutions and the art market in South Korea and internationally;
- The history and exhibition displays of the Pavilion of the Republic of Korea at the Venice Biennale;
- A guided visit to the Korean Pavilion at the 2027 Venice Biennale of Architecture.

Resources Available in the Departmental Library:

The following resources are available for consultation in the Departmental Library, with the exception of a small number of works. The texts listed below are not compulsory reading, but they are strongly recommended:

Cho, et al. Treasures from Korea: Arts and Culture of the Joseon Dynasty, 1392–1910. Philadelphia, in association with Yale University Press, 2014.

Chung, Lee, and Lee Hyun Jung. Postmodern Art in Korea from 1985 On. Seoul: Hollym, 2015.

Gim, Jonggil et al. 100.Art.Kr: Korean Contemporary Art Scene. Paju-si: Open Books, 2012.

Gim, Seong-lim. Flowering Plums and Curio Cabinets: The Culture of Objects in Late Chosŏn Korean Art. Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2018.

Horlyck, Charlotte. Korean Art from the 19th Century to the Present. London: Reaktion Books, 2017.

Jungmann, et al. A Companion to Korean Art*. Hoboken, NJ: John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2020, pp. 261–513.

Kang, et al. Republic of Korea: La Biennale di Venezia, 1997. Seoul: The Korean Culture and Arts Foundation, 1997.

Kim, Youngna. Modern and Contemporary Art in Korea: Tradition, Modernity and Identity. Seoul: Hollym, 2005.

Kim, H. G. Korean Feminist Artists: Confront and Deconstruct. New York and London: Phaidon, 2024.

Lee, et al. Art of the Korean Renaissance, 1400–1600. New York: The Metropolitan Museum of Art; New Haven: Yale University Press, 2009.

National Museum of Contemporary Art, Korea, Seoul. 100 Masterpieces of Modern Korean Paintings (1900–1960). Seoul: Eul&Al Publishing, 2002.

Park, J. P. A New Middle Kingdom: Painting and Cultural Politics in Late Chosŏn Korea (1700–1850). Seattle: University of Washington Press, 2018.

Portal, Jane. Art under Control in North Korea. London: Reaktion Books, 2005.

Pyun, et al. Interpreting Modernism in Korean Art: Fluidity and Fragmentation. New York and London: Routledge, Taylor & Francis Group, 2022.

Free Online Resources:

The following online resources are freely accessible and may be used for further study and independent research:

Hammer, E. *The Arts of Korea: A Resource for Educators. The Metropolitan Museum of Art. [Access the resource](https://www.metmuseum.org/it/met-publications/the-arts-of-korea-a-resource-for-educators?utm_source=chatgpt.com )

National Institute of Korean History. Video Resources on Korean Art and History. [Access the video resources](https://contents.history.go.kr/play/main.do?itemId=tt&utm_source=chatgpt.com )

National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Korea (MMCA). Free Resources: Publications, Periodicals and Research Materials. [Access the resource] (https://www.mmca.go.kr/eng/artResearch/publicationList.do?searchSrcPubTp=NonPerio&utm_source=chatgpt.com )

Starkman, Christine, ed. Tradition and Innovation in Korean Art. Museum of Fine Arts, Houston, 2014. [Access the resource](https://www.mfah.org/research/kinder-foundation-education-center/kinder-foundation-gallery-resources?utm_source=chatgpt.com )

Assessment of Learning

Learning will be assessed through a 75-minute written examination.

The written examination consists of:

- Identification of five images depicting works analysed during the course, with relevant information to be completed (1 mark per correct answer);
- Five multiple-choice questions covering the course content (1 mark per correct answer);
- Five open-ended questions requiring students to develop an independent theoretical discussion with reference to the artists, artistic movements and works examined during the course (4 marks per answer).

The examination is designed to assess whether students have acquired the key concepts presented during the lectures, developed familiarity with the works of art and artistic movements examined during the course, and are able to integrate this knowledge through the development of complex arguments and relevant connections within the subject area.

written

The instructor is responsible for ensuring the authenticity and originality of all examinations and coursework. In cases of suspected academic misconduct, an additional on-site assessment may be required during the exams, which may differ from the standard format.

The minimum passing mark for the examination is 18 out of 30, while the maximum mark is 30 out of 30.

The course will be delivered through in-person classroom teaching. Ample opportunity will be provided for students to share questions, concerns, ideas and topics for further discussion. At the end of the course, a guided visit to the Venice Biennale will be organised.

The instructor will make use of multimedia materials and presentation slides throughout the course.

This subject deals with topics related to the macro-area "Poverty and inequalities" and contributes to the achievement of one or more goals of U. N. Agenda for Sustainable Development