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Form and Narrative in Cold War North and South Korea

 

A Four-Day Seminar at Korea University

Instructor: Dafna Zur (Stanford University)

Dates: January 19, 20, 22, 23, 10 am-1 pm (3 hours per day)

Location: Korea University Seoul Campus, West Hall 222A

 

Korea University is pleased to host a special four-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 Korean Cold War magazines. Together, we will ask: what is form, and how is it related to narrative? What can be gained from thinking anew about form, and how might this fresh perspective enrich our reading of Cold War culture? Each day will include readings of primary and secondary sources taken from North and South Korean magazines for non-adult readers. The seminar will be in Korean and English – students can express themselves in whatever language they feel comfortable.

 

Readings

Caroline Levine, Forms (Korean translation): Introduction, Chapters 2 & 3

Anna Kornbluh, The Order of Forms: Introduction, Chapter 1, Conclusion

Griffiths, “The Ecology of Form”

Puckett, Narrative Theory: Introduction, Chapters 2, 5 & 6

Dafna Zur, “Biographies” (working draft)

★All materials are available in the shared folder.

 

Schedule & Themes

January 19 (10am-13pm)        Music       동요곡집 제1집, 조선음악출판사, 1960.

January 20 (10am-13pm)      Science      소년과학, 1954년 11월호; 소년과학, 1962년 3월호

January 22 (10am-13pm)     Biographies    과학세계, 국립인민출판사, 1949년 6월호; 세계위인전집: 과학자편 1, 풍문사, 1969

January 23 (10am-13pm)      Illustrations     Class materials 

 

Application Information

1) Eligibility

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

2) Application period

December 15-28, 2025 

3) Number of participants

12 participants

4) How to Apply

Complete the Google Form https://forms.gle/wKGBBs5QPiJsKUFR7

5) Notification & Materials

December 30, 2025

★ Dates subject to change

 

Inquiries

jchoi8@korea.ac.kr