This course examines the contemporary politics of the Korean peninsula, with emphasis on South Korea  or the Republic of Korea or (ROK) and its economic and political developments in recent decades. The course will focus on  post World War II development of Korean politics from a historical and comparative   perspective. North Korea, or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) is treated, mainly in regard to security and inter-relations problems between North and South Korea and the international factors at work. Theoretical issues covered will include political culture, nationalism, developmentalism, democratisation, civil society and state/market relations.

Students can expect to gain extended knowledge of the politics of the Korean Peninsula, especially in regard to Korea's democratisation and national development through industrialisation, and of the security issues confronting the two Koreas.

Two hour seminar and eight hours reading and research per week.

Permission of the course coordinator.

Don Oberdorfer, The Two Koreas: A Contemporary History, Massachusetts: Addison-wesley, 1997.