This course explores themes prevalent in the post-Korean War era in South Korea; themes such as economic hardship, family troubles, refugee status, and the clash of old and new values. Using the lens of the lower and refugee classes, the two films explored in this class focus on what the immediate post-war era was like for those of the periphery during the beginning of industrialization in the capital city Seoul. The two films offer opposite endings, hopeful and bleak, to contrast and highlight the fears, insecurities, dreams, and hopes that many families faced during this turbulent time.
This course offers 3 professional development contact hours and is offered to K-12 teachers in AR, FL, GA, IN, KS, MI, NV, NJ, NY (southern part only, including New York City), NC, ND, OK, SC, SD, TN, and TX.