The course takes a multidisciplinary perspective and is divided into four parts. The first part provides a general understanding of the social and political processes in Japan and North Korea and South Korea. The countries history and impact on contemporary Japanese and Korean societies are discussed. The focus is on the post-Cold War era.

The second part of the course makes comparisons between Japan and Korea and in particular similarities between Japan and South Korea. Themes that are discussed include the impact of colonialism on North Korea and South Korea, the partition of the two countries, and the post-War authoritarian regimes.

The third part of the course addresses the role of the media and how it creates both continuities and changes in Japan and Korea. The study of the role of media provides a deeper understanding of the countries political and socio-cultural dynamics. In this part of the course China’s influence on Japan and Korea is also discussed.

The fourth part of the course addresses the challenges that Japan and Korea are facing. In this part the countries changing demographics and the connection between an aging population, gender inequality and migration are discussed.