ICS to hold teaching roundtable on November 16

The Institute for Chinese Studies will host a teaching roundtable on Monday, November 16 from 12:00 p.m. to 1:30 p.m. online (registration required). This informal roundtable conversation will help the community reflect on this challenging semester and prepare for next semester’s teaching. Some of the topics covered will include racism in the classroom and how to engage politically sensitive issues. Formal presentations are not expected, just personal thought and experience. All East Asia faculty and graduate students are invited to drop in and brainstorm.

Sooa Im McCormick to present on gender, socio-economic diversity in Korean embroidery on November 18

The Institute for Korean Studies will present a lecture by Sooa Im McCormick, Cleveland Museum of Art, on Wednesday, November 18 from 4:00 p.m. to 5:30 p.m. online (registration required). Dr. McCormick will present "Gender and Socio-Economic Diversity in Korean Embroidery Arts."

Abstract: In the Korean Peninsula, embroidery arts flourished as commodities of luxury for ruling elites as well as sacred objects in Buddhist religious practices since the Three Kingdoms Period (57 BC−AD 668). Yet, most surviving examples are dated to the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910), a period where the division between men and women, as well as their corresponding jobs, Korean embroidery arts have been discussed conventionally as the product of women’s leisure activity. Furthermore, the distinctive aesthetic elements and artistic expressions of embroidery art from this period have been simply considered “folkcraft,” in contrast with fine or high art. This presentation explores the issues of gender and socio-economic diversity and complexity within the tradition of Korean embroidery by debunking some of existing misconceptions in the current state of the field. The exhibition ‘Gold Needles: Embroidery Arts from Korea,’ which I have curated at the Cleveland Museum of Art (from 8 March to 26 July 2020) will serve as a case study to examine the limits of the current scholarship and to build new contextual trajectories for Korean embroidery arts.

"The Korean War" course to be offered with Department of History in Spring 2021

The East Asian Studies Center is pleased to partner with the Department of History to offer a course in Spring 2021, "The Korean War" (History 3575, class number: 29773).

To be taught by Dr. Sarah K. Douglas, the course will be offered during the second session of Spring semester. The asynchronous online class will include weekly tasks such as quizzes, group discussions, and a final essay assignment. This course fulfills the historical study and diversity global studies GEs.

Course Description: The North Korean invasion of South Korea in June 1950 expanded a simmering civil war between the two Koreas into a limited regional war fought between two coalitions. The United Nations (UN) Command primarily consisted of South Korean and United States forces though over a dozen nations contributed combat formations to the Command. The North Korean military secured direct support from the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) and both armies relied on weapons provided by the Soviet Union. Many observers at the time recognized that the Korean War represented a new way of warfare, specifically marked by large coalitions fighting in support of international objectives. This course will explore the historical, military, political, diplomatic, and wider socio-cultural context of the Korean War, reflecting in conclusion on its outcome’s impact in the decades since.

Wilson Center accepting applications for Spring 2021 internship program