Two Koreas Reflection

[Billie Johnson]

This seminar has provided me with a wealth of information that I already have incorporated into my classroom. We have been able to have conversations and research additional information to add to the conversation.  I also have topics galore to choose from as well. The best part of all is that I am a more informed resource for my students. I have many students who are aware of what is going on in the world and Korea has come up more than once. Topics that have been brought up are traveling to North Korea, World War II, and the North Korea missile testing in relation to the United States in current day. This course has helped me reflect on my own bias based on western propaganda and I also heard that bias from my students. Reflecting on my own bias has helped me in being more aware of how information is presented to my students. I am making a concerted effort to talk about Korea with facts and not so much with my opinions built in. The website review that we completed at the culmination of the seminar was helpful in finding great resources to incorporate into instruction. Also, Professor Kim said she would visit my class to speak to students which would be amazing. The information of greatest relevance to my Communications class is talking about the relationships between Korea and the US. I’m excited to share some of the movies with this class and much of the economic power of South Korea and the potential of North Korea. The lesson that I have planned for this seminar is also something that I will implement in my classroom. I want my students to see Korea in a different light and discuss the arts, Korean cinema, and K-Pop. All of these activities can be done in a virtual collaborative space with an activity demonstrating their understanding of the lesson.