Korean History Questions
A) Topics of Ten Powerpoint Lecture Units:
#1
#2
#3
#4
#5
#6
#7
#8
#9
#10
A Mythical Beginning
Early History
Three Kingdoms
United Silla
Goryeo Dynasty
Chosen Dynasty
Japanese Colonization
Liberation, the Divide and the War
Post War Development
Confucian Tradition
B)
Each Unit contains reflective questions:
#1 A Mythical Beginning:
 What are some of the reasons Koreans persistently believe in their legendary ancestor, Tan Gun?
 What are the possible positive and negative effects of perpetuating such myths?
 What other mythical beginnings of a people/nation do you know? How does this compare with
that of the Koreans?
#2 Early History:



What happened in the other parts of the world during the reign of Gojoseon (700 BC to 108 BC)?
How does the historical Gojoseon differ from the mythical Gojoseon?
Depending on what people like to believe, Gojoseon has two starting dates: 2333BC and 700 BC.
Does the shortened version of the Gojoseon history tarnish the glory of Korea? Why do you think
so?
#3, #4 Three Kingdoms and United Silla:
 What were some of the important achievements in the three kingdoms of Gorgoyeo, Baekje and
Silla? How did these achievements contribute to the development of Korea as a nation/society?
 What role did China play in the founding of the United Silla Dynasty? How did United Silla outsmart China’s ambitions?
 What long term-influence did Unified Silla have on the development of Korean society?
#5 Goryeo Dynasty:
 What were some of the unique characteristics of Goryeo Dynasty?
 What historical reference does the Japanese term “Kamikaze” have?
 Why do North Korea and South Korea disagree on the historical importance of United Silla and
Goryeo Dynasties? How does this disagreement reflect the nature of tensions between the two
Koreas?
#6 Choseon Dynasty:
 What was the social/historical background that prompted the adoption of Confucianism to replace
Buddhism during Choseon?
 What were some of the steps that social stratification was enforced during Choseon?
 What were some of the impacts of Japan’s invasion of Korea during the 1590s?
 Why did Korea became a “hermit kingdom”?
 What were the relationships between Korea, Japan and China during this period?
#7 Japanese Occupation:
 What were the two wars Japan waged to pave the way to a complete control of Korea?
 What were some of the examples of the mistreatment Koreans suffered during Japan’s colonization?
 Compare Japan’s colonization of Korea with another colonization that you have studied (e.g.
British colonization of America.) What were the similarities and differences? Why were there
these similarities and differences?
#8 Liberation, the Divide and the War:
 WWII ended Japan’s colonization of Korea. What series of events led to the separation of two
Koreas afterwards?
 What social/political factors inside Korea made a war almost “inevitable” after WWII?
 What were the respective reasons that US and China got involved in the war?
 Why is Korean War often referred to in US as the “Forgotten War”?
 North Korea and South Korea still remain hostile to each other. Conflicts, at times deadly, still
flare up along the border today.
 Do you think there is any possibility that the two Koreas will go into full-fledged war again?
 If so, which countries would most likely become involved? Why?
 If not, why do you think so?
#9 Post-War Development:
 What were some of the reasons for South Korea’s rags-to-riches achievement? What can we, as
Americans, learn from Koreans to improve this country?
 The strength of Korea’s education system is frequently credited as the most important factor
contributing to the rapid growth of Korea’s economy.
Watch the video on “Two Million Minutes”. What do you think that American students should do
to compete with their Asian counterparts?
#10 Confucian Tradition:
 According to Confucius, what were the 5 fundamental relations in society? How could they help to stabilize
a society?
 How have Confucian teachings influenced the lives of Korean people?
 Find some phenomena in American society today that Confucius would have liked and disliked. Why do
you think so?
 Compare Confucianism with a philosophy / religion you are familiar with. What are their similarities and
differences?
Final Project: Korean History Time-line Project
Vermont Standards:
2.2: Students demonstrate an understanding of the relationship between the products and
perspectives of the culture studied.
4.2: Students demonstrate understanding of the concept of culture through comparisons of the
cultures studied and their own
Korean History Project
Step 1: Time Line Poster
Make a “Time-Line-Chart” of Korean history on a poster board, using the knowledge you have
learned, in and out of class, to identify dynasties and major events in Korean history. Follow these
directions:
 Your time-line chart should include all dynasties, their dates and names.
 The chart should end no earlier than the 1980s.
 Double-check the dates and the spelling carefully.
Step 2: Analytical Essay
From your timeline, choose ONE event which you think plays the most important roles in
shaping Korean history and/or society. Write an essay about this event. Do additional research
on your own to support your arguments. In your essay, make sure you address the following
key points:
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


Describe in detail what exactly happened before, during and after your chosen event.
What other events were happening at the same time outside Korea?
Explain what immediate impact your event had on the Korean society/history?
Explain what long-term effect your events have on shaping the Korean society/history?
Grading Rubric
Poster
Topic
Poster: Korean History
Time-line, from the
Ancient to the Modern
Times
Wow
100% accurate
information
No mistakes on order of
events, dates or spelling
You Got It!
Mostly accurate
information. No mistake
in order of events,
consistent spelling of
Korean names
Getting Started
Mostly accurate
information. A few
mistakes, but mistakes
do not impeded
understanding.
Describe the events
Accurately described
before, during and after
of the chosen event
Describe events
happening outside Korea
which has some direct
impact on Korea
Make clear connection,
argument is focused and
convincing
Describe all these
events, though lacking in
details
Include events
happening in other parts
of the world, but have no
direct impact on Korea
Make clear connection.
Argument is mostly
focused and convincing
Missing some important
connections.
Essay
What was happening in
other parts of the world?
How does these events
impact history/society
Merely a listing of
events, no discussion
Connection is vague, not
clearly stated.