Time Schedule:
Hwasook Bergquist Nam
HIST 449
Seattle Campus
Role of labor in the modern world. Emphasis on the centrality of workers' struggles in the evolution of national societies on the conceptual, research, and expository strategies of contemporary students of the labor movement and on differences and relationships between labor in developed and underdeveloped countries.
Class description
The literature on East Asian economic development and that on worker activism have developed in relative isolation. This course examines the ways popular activism shaped economic development and politics, and vice versa, during the 20th century by comparing the cases of Korea and Japan, and, to a lesser extent, China.
The course focuses on the evolution of different industrial-relations systems and labor politics in the twentieth century through an analysis of cultural, historical, structural, ideological, and geopolitical factors. Gender and ethnic politics are also emphasized, as are the impacts of colonialism, imperialism, late development, and geopolitics in the region.
Student learning goals
Improve critical thinking and reading skills
Improve writing skills
Develop effective oral communication skills through class discussions
Develop capacity to analyze diverse viewpoints and interpretations
General method of instruction
Recommended preparation
Class assignments and grading
