150089 VU East Asian Hotspots: Economy, Politics and Society of North Korea (2020W)

Due to the unforeseeable nature of the Covid-19 pandemic and related restrictions, we will be unable to have regular sessions in our usual classrooms. This course will thus take place online. To participate, you need a stable internet connection, a computer with a webcam, speakers and a microphone (or a headset), and regular access to Moodle (will be granted to you automatically once you are registered for this course). Before registering for this class, make sure you meet all these requirements.
The workload will be the same as under “normal” conditions. You will have to read, you will have to write two M/C exams, and you are expected to follow the lectures closely and regularly. These lectures will take place online and asynchronously (I will record my lectures and post them on Moodle). This has the advantage of being independent of the momentary quality of everybody’s internet connection and of the time zone participants are living in, and students can watch the lectures as often as they want. The two exams will also take place electronically, in order to enable students from outside Vienna to participate.
In addition, we will have synchronous (live) consultation sessions via Moodle/BigBlueButton for Q&A, as well as an online forum on Moodle for written communication.
Based on over 25 years of research of the instructor on the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea), this course aims to shed light on one of the less well-known states of East Asia. Students learn about the origins and current developments in North Korea as the source or object of actual or potential conflict in the East Asian region. This includes aspects such as economic development and social issues. The following areas will be covered: History and tradition; ideology and the leaders; political system; economy: basics; economic reforms; special economic zones; the leadership of Kim Jong-Un; unification.