HERstory: Women of Korea

HIStories of Asian civilizations typically focus on their male political and cultural leaders. This course instead explores ancient through early modern Korea through the perspectives and achievements, the HERstories, of their women. It draws on the most recent archaeological, sociological and literary research which overturns stereotypes of Asian women as men’s compliant drudges and playthings. As inventors of agriculture and textile production, and as

brilliant rulers, armed rebels, authors, artists, physicians and innovative business entrepreneurs, Korean women over millennia developed strategies for crafting “spaces” in even the most patriarchal times for achieving their goals and expressing their creativity, which are still relevant today.