Author: slee97
Matthew Soriano – Differing Perspectives on Korean History and International Affairs
Mahima Gunapooti – K-Beauty
Donna Yang – South Korean Infrastructure
Craig Roey – South Korea + MENA Relations
2019 Summer Study Abroad Program
GWIKS’s third two-week summer study abroad program in Seoul, South Korea ended on July 6, 2019 under the lead of Professor. Jisoo M. Kim and Professor. Insung Ko. During the program, eight GW students explored past, present and future of Korea through four main themes of Korean identities, culture, division, and reunification.
Students had the welcoming dinner and orientation on June 23, 2019 at the restaurant in Jongno, Seoul, and met with two instructors. During this two-week compact summer program, students were able to integrate readings, discussions, on-site lectures, and site-visits in learning Korean history, politics, film, and media.
For the first few days, students explored Korea’s past starting from the birth of the Joseon dynasty up to the modern times. They visited Kwanghwamun, Gyeongbok Palace, National Museum of Korea and Hangeul Museum to learn Korea’s history of dynastic kingdom. Students could also explore Korea’s 20th century history when visiting Seoul Museum of History, Seodaemun Prison, and National Museum of Korean Contemporary History. Through a tour in Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), students could see how one country divided into North and South.
The present of Korea was reflected through site visits to Ajou Institute for Unification, Korean Film Council, Constitutional Court of Korea, Korean National Diplomatic Academy, and MBC World. During these visits, students could incorporate their knowledge in various disciplines, such as politics, film, media and entertainment. At Hana Foundation, students had a workshop with North Korean defector students, where they discussed unification of Korea.
Towards the end of the program, students presented their experience in Korea based on this two-week summer study abroad program. The Students’ portfolio presentations of summer 2018 can be found here.
9/27 Film Screening, “Shusenjo: The Main Battleground of the Comfort Women Issue”
Sigur Center for Asian Studies, Institute for Korean Studies,
the Global Women’s Institute, & Memory and Reconciliation in the Asia-Pacific
present:
Film Screening Event
“Shusenjo:
The Main Battleground of the Comfort Women Issue”
Date & Time
Friday, September 27, 2019
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm
Location
Room 602, Lindner Family Commons,
Elliott School of International Affairs, The Geroge Washington University
1957 E Street, NW. Washington, DC 20052
Synopsis
The “comfort women” issue is perhaps Japan’s most contentious present-day diplomatic quandary. Inside Japan, the issue is dividing the country across clear ideological lines. Supporters and detractors of “comfort women” are caught in a relentless battle over empirical evidence, the validity of oral testimony, the number of victims, the meaning of sexual slavery, and the definition of coercive recruitment. Credibility, legitimacy and influence serve as the rallying cry for all those involved in the battle. In addition, this largely domestic battleground has been shifted to the international arena, commanding the participation of various state and non-state actors and institutions from all over the world. This film delves deep into the most contentious debates and uncovers the hidden intentions of the supporters and detractors of comfort women. Most importantly it finds answers to some of the biggest questions for Japanese and Koreans: Were comfort women prostitutes or sex slaves? Were they coercively recruited? And, does Japan have a legal responsibility to apologize to the former comfort women?
Director
Miki Dezaki is a recent graduate of the Graduate Program in Global Studies at Sophia University in Tokyo. He worked for the Japan Exchange Teaching Program for five years in Yamanashi and Okinawa before becoming a Buddhist monk in Thailand for one year. He is also known as “Medamasensei” on Youtube, where he has made comedy videos and videos on social issues in Japan. His most notable video is “Racism in Japan,” which led to numerous online attacks by Japanese neo-nationalists who attempted to deny the existence of racism and discrimination against Zainichi Koreans (Koreans with permanent residency in Japan) and Burakumin (historical outcasts still discriminated today). “Shusenjo” is his directorial debut.
This event is on the record, and open to the public.
Photo credit to No Man Productions, LLC.
9/12 2019 Mid-Autumn Festival Celebration
Celebrate 2019 Mid-Autumn Festival
On Thursday, September 12, 2019, the GW Confucius Institute will celebrate the 2019 Mid-Autumn Festival in the GW Confucius Institute townhouse. Guests will have the chance to taste traditional holiday treats, mooncakes, and network with others interested in China and other Asian cultures. There will be materials available for you to hear about learning Chinese language and study abroad opportunities in Asia.
Date & Time
Thursday, September 12, 2019
5:30 p.m. – 6:30 p.m.
Location
GW Confucius Institute, 2147 F Street, NW, Washington, DC 20052
Sponsored By:
The GW Confucius Institute
The GW Institute for Korean Studies
The GW Language Center
The Sigur Center for Asian Studies
The GW Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures
