Gender and Sexuality in Korean Literature

Examination of Korean literature from 15th through 19th centuries, focusing on topics related to gender and sexuality. By revising modern presumption of gender inequality in premodern and non-Western societies, examination of complex and dynamic cultural constructions of gender and sexuality in premodern Korean society through reading of major works of classical Korean literature. Exploration of questions dealing with how gender and sexuality intersected with other social distinctions in diverse dimensions such as distinctions between human and nonhuman, aristocrats and commoners, and heterosexuals and homosexuals. Readings include ghost stories, dream narratives, biographical and autobiographical writings, and scripts for oral performance, all in English translation.

P/NP or letter grading.