session 5: ten things about korea

[Anonymous]

Very informative, positive presentation. I would have liked to have learned a little more about the efforts around reunification, what's working and what isn't. Also, if reunification occurs, what will the positive and negative impacts to Korea be, particularly in how they interact with their nearby neighbors. While I learned Korea is a single ethnically distinct national identity, I'd like to know more about how they interact with their neighbors, from a trade, cultural and political perspective. Finally, moving forward, what are the challenges South Korea faces (assuming reunification isn't going to happen in the near term.). I am most appreciative of Dr Jung-Kim's participation in our seminar.

[Anonymous]

I really liked the fact that the Buddhist monks recarved over 81,000 of the woodblock carvings which had burnt. It made me think of how the religious communities during the Middle Ages in Europe were responsible for copying manuscripts and helping to keep learning alive during those dark times. Here, again, it is the religious community which has the task of preserving its people's literature, history, philosophy, and so on. I would like to know if, like the Catholic monks, the Buddhist monks were among the few literate people in their society during this time. It also makes me wonder about other connections, such as whether Buddhist monks also decorated or illuminated texts as their European counterparts did. This is definitely an area that I will have to explore further.

[Anonymous]

The thing that was most interesting for me was the education system. The elitist nature of it and the hours students spend on studies fascinate me. Though I'm not entirely foreign to this kind of education (I was raised in a Chinese tradition that's not too different and studied in HK until 6th grade.), it still amazes me about the extent of the overly-zealous effort parents (and government officials) put out in educating their children. It sounded like all Koreans are tiger moms!

[Anonymous]

It was interesting how the introduction video emphasized so strongly the Korean desire for reunification. In fact the entire first part of the video spoke of Korea as one. I was going to comment on this when the video was over however the last part of the video spoke of their desire for reunification. Is this a true desire, or just propaganda? What we hear and see in the west, is the sinking of a South Korean ship by the North, and the bombing of South Korean civilians by the North and the military posturing by the North. I was also surprised that there was a controversy over having a private non-government entity such as Hyundai pay North Korea to meet with South Korea to promote reunification. I would think that it would be perfectly acceptable for one of the nations largest private company to get involved in stimulating discussions for reunifications as long as they did it with the South Korean governments permission. The fact that the South Korean government was a part or the ceremony tells me that there must have been some consultation before the offer was made. This makes sense because Hyundai can stimulate economic development in the north, and the north desperately needs economic development. This would be a win win for all, if the two Koreas really want reunification.

[Anonymous]

In the afternoon session, a famous painting on a classroom scene started our question/answer discussion on many issues related to schools. This made think that a picture or a painting can be an important tool in teaching Chinese language. Through observation, description and discussion of a picture, students can learn history and culture while learning the language.

[Anonymous]

Our job as a teacher is to make the information relevant to the student. My post is to debunk the case that someones life half way across the world in Korea that was lived 1200 years ago is irrelevant to our students today.

Heres my personal case. I am not sure I can express my feelings without crying. I will do my best.

In our hand out "Shakespears's sister" by Kichung Kim is a poem "Mourning My Children" that I connected with. For my mother said the same pharse that is in the poem when we at the funeral for my second brother.

Over time, technology changes, people generations and civilizations come and go. But the human condition never changes. Our needs, emotional and physical never change. Some call it reoccurring truths. Truths that are spoken thousands of years ago are still truths today.

My mother asked herself this question while standing over the second family grave, "will Markie and Frankie and play together tonight, I hope they do, that would make me happy". Her pain was so overwhelming that only way she could get through the day was the hope that they are living on, because she couldn't live with their loss.

The poem reads "will you the spirits of brother and sister, play fondly together each night"

[Anonymous]

• Both Korea and China practice Confucianism and Buddhism, however in Korea the king or queen is considered a buddha. Confucianism is practiced in different ways in both countries as well.
• Both Korean and Chinese languages use characters. However, in Korea characters are borrowed from Chinese language to show status and to avoid confusion caused by homophones. In China, characters are the only written form, and people use only characters all in readings and writings.
• Korea has one language and one ethnic group on record and almost in reality. People generally understand each other despite of dialects make certain words difficult to understand. In China, there are many different dialects which Chinese people cannot understand at all. China has fifty-six different ethnic groups.
• In both countries, fortune telling is a popular act when people are encounter important life decisions such as wedding dates, baby names etc. It is quite usual for people to go to fortune tellings at New Years to find out what is going to happen in the new year.
• Education is a long time emphasize in both China and Korea. Students generally spend long hours each day and have minimal days off each year from studying. Parents are spending their fortunes in kids' education.
• Historically both Korea and China are societies dominated by males. However both countries had female rulers in the history.

These are my understandings of the differences and similarities. Welcome to add or correct .
edited by yfisher on 8/4/2011
edited by yfisher on 8/4/2011

[Anonymous]

It's amazing how South Korea became from a traditional agricultural country to an economical power. I am really impressed that besides the facts that the society value the education, advanced high technology, and innovation, the nation still keeps their traditions like food (by the way, I am going to try Kimchi pizza one day), costume, styles of temples, and religions. The reunion of South and North Korea is an interesting point. I wish if this issue can be elaborated, cause I have little knowledge about what's going on between the two regions. Great presentation and the share of the Korean movies.
edited by vding on 8/6/2011

[Anonymous]

I, too, was surprised by the emphasis on reunification and the fact that North and South Korea even have a reunification flag that they often fly together. I would like to learn more about this and the proponents of reunification. For example, is it being led by businesses, independent citizens or the governments themselves?

I also think that it would be interesting for all countries to have a list of the "Top 10 Things to Know about XX" that is discussed in classrooms. It helps break down stereotypes and assumptions and helps people make connections to a country that they otherwise would have felt was completely different and literally and figuratively foreign.

I also loved the videos that expanded on the history we had just learned. I think that these are easily accessible and approachable ways to get students interested in the history of Korea. They can launch discussions and are much more interesting for students than reading a textbook or listening to a lecture.
edited by kmoore on 8/8/2011

[Anonymous]

I agree with Kelly. I think starting with "ten things" but start it with "tell me what you know" and then ask them why they know it and why it is important to them. I will build a "ten things" for any of the nations that we discuss in the classroom.

[Anonymous]

Ken, I love doing KWL charts. At the beginning of the unit, have students fill in (or complete as a class) What do you Know? What do you Want to Know? and then at the end of the unit, What did you Learn? It's a great opener and closer to a unit!

[Anonymous]

This evening we went to the Korean restaurant near by the down town LA, called Soon Tofu Beverly, it was nice Korean cultural experience.
Beverly Soon Tofu Restaurant was the first Korean restaurant of its kind in Los Angeles, serving customized, made-to-order soon ( soft ) tofu soups, with other meat
( Beef, Chicken, Pork and Seafood...) as side dish, We experienced the greeting in Korean, Country setting/decorated dinning room, Korean music, Kim Chi dishes, Hot pot Combo soup, BQQ Rib Eye and so on..., I think this is an another great "class room" for our students to gain " GloCal Experience" ( think Globally, Act Locally ) in LA area.

[Anonymous]

After viewing "The Top Ten Things to Know About Korea", I wanted to hop on a plane and take a vacation in South Korea. I was really impressed with its beauty, the skiing and snowboarding, home to many inventions, and in particular, its advanced technology. Those media poles really caught my eye. I think of the bulky, over-sized flag poles we have here in southern California, and I'm amazed at how resourceful the Koreans have become with theirs. It's like an information booth on a pole; great for getting around the city, great for the tourist. I also wonder why there are more cell phones than people in South Korea.

[Anonymous]

I learned that 98% of the Koreans are literate. Wow! My husband teaches in LA Unified, and the high school graduation rate is so low and dropout rate high. My daughter's geometry teacher at Simi High has a sign that says only 4% of Simi students go off to a 4-year university right out of high school; that is so low to me. Yet 71.5% of Koreans go on to vocational after high school. It was almost unbelievable that the students are in school and study from 7 am till midnight. Where is the balance with family and other extracurricular activities? Having paid and still paying for tutors to help my daughters, I can relate to, but it sounds like they pay way more than I ever have.

[Anonymous]

I didn't realize that Seoul was the third largest Metropolitan city in the world. It's hard to believe, especially since I really never knew much about it until this USC China Instute. Now, it seems like I hear it mentioned often. That's interesting that the article indicates that hangul is now the prominent written script and the Chinese characters are fading out.

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