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Korea University ICKLC Seminar Series

 

Form and Narrative in Cold War North and South Korea

 

 

One-Day Seminar at Korea University

Instructor: Dafna Zur, Associate Professor of Korean Studies, Stanford University

Dates: May 29 8:30am-18pm

Location: Korea University Seoul Campus International Hall 320

 

Korea University is pleased to host a special one-day seminar led by Professor Dafna Zur (Stanford University) on “Form and Narrative in Cold War North and South Korea.” This intensive seminar brings together recent developments in narrative theory and formalist criticism with close readings of Cold War–era magazines published for young readers in both Koreas.

Seminar Overview

This seminar will put into conversation recent scholarship on form and narrative with primary sources from North and South Korea published between 1950-1970. Together, we will ask: what is the relationship between form and narrative? What can be gained from thinking anew about form, and how might this fresh perspective enrich our reading of Cold War culture? The seminar will be in Korean and English – students can express themselves in whatever language they feel comfortable.

The one-day seminar will have three parts: 

Part 1: Discussion of Form and Narrative. Students will be pre-assigned readings (1-4) and will present on the main arguments. All students are expected to read readings 5, 6 and 7.

Part 2: Discussion of Primary Sources

Part 3: Prof Zur presentation (~15 minutes) and discussion.

 

Readings

1. Forms by Caroline Levine: Intro (1-23)
2. Anna Kornbluh, The Order of Forms: Intro (1-32)
3. Griffiths, “The Ecology of Form” (68-93)
4. Puckett, Narrative Theory: Intro (1-23)
5. Kim Hyun and Kim Yunsik, Hanguk munhaksa: Chapter 1 (13-46)
6. Primary Sources
7. Zur, Yi Sunsin in North and South Korea

★All materials are available in the shared folder.

Workshop Schedule

• 8:30-9:00          Introductions
• 9:00-12:00        Part 1: Forms and Narrative
• 12:00-13:30     Lunch Break
• 13:30-15:00      Part 2: Primary Source discussion
• 15:00-15:30      Coffee Break
• 15:30-17:00      Part 3: Discussion of Prof. Zur’s paper
• 17:00-18:00      Wrap up
• 18:00 Dinner with participants

Application Information

1) Eligibility

Graduate students in Korean literature / Korean studies and early-career researchers within 3 years of degree completion.

2) Application period

April23-May22, 2026 

3) Number of participants

10 participants

4) How to Apply

Complete the Google Form at https://forms.gle/YxeqZsRB7SB6tzn77

5) Notification & Materials

May 22, 2026

★ Dates subject to change

 

Inquiries

jchoi8@korea.ac.kr