VKor_Emo Emotions and Perception in Korean Culture

Faculty of Arts
Autumn 2025
Extent and Intensity
2/0. 5 credit(s). Type of Completion: k (colloquium).
In-person direct teaching
Teacher(s)
Mgr. Veronika Mattová (lecturer)
Mgr. Michal Schwarz, Ph.D. (lecturer)
Guaranteed by
Mgr. Michal Schwarz, Ph.D.
Department of Mongolian, Korean and Vietnamese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Supplier department: Department of Mongolian, Korean and Vietnamese Studies – Asia Studies Centre – Faculty of Arts
Timetable
Wed 14:00–15:40 C11, except Mon 17. 11. to Sun 23. 11.
Prerequisites
Basic knowledge of Korean culture and emotion psychology is an advantage but not mandatory.
Course Enrolment Limitations
The course is also offered to the students of the fields other than those the course is directly associated with.
fields of study / plans the course is directly associated with
Course objectives
The course aims to explore emotional and perceptual processes within the context of Korean culture, with a focus on key cultural concepts such as han (deep sorrow and resentment), jeong (emotional bond and affection), hwa (anger/harmony), and heung (joyful excitement).
Students will be introduced to contemporary theories of emotion, including constructionism (L. Barrett), embodied cognition, and affective neuroscience.
The course provides an understanding of how emotions are culturally grounded in Korean society and their role in interpersonal relationships, mental health, and popular culture.
Learning outcomes
Define and explain the core cultural concepts of Korean emotionality (han, jeong, hwa, heung).
Analyze emotions in Korean culture using theoretical models (constructionism, embodied cognition, affective neuroscience).
Compare the Korean concept of emotions with other cultural systems.
Apply acquired knowledge to analyze emotions in Korean popular culture (K-Pop, K-Drama).
Discuss the relationship between emotions and interpersonal relationships in the Korean cultural context.
Syllabus
  • Introduction to the psychology of emotions and cultural models.
  • Culturally specific emotions: han, jeong, hwa, heung.
  • Contemporary theories of emotion: Constructionism, embodied cognition, affective neuroscience.
  • Emotions in interpersonal relationships: the role of jeong in social cohesion.
  • Emotions and mental health in Korean society.
  • Emotional regulation and cultural expectations.
  • Emotions in Korean popular culture: K-Pop, K-Drama, fandoms.
  • Practical analysis: Emotional expressions in Korean media materials.
  • Final discussion and case study.
Literature
  • Barrett, Lisa Feldman. How Emotions Are Made: The Secret Life of the Brain.
  • Park, I. (2022). Korean Social Emotions: Han (한 恨), Heung (흥 興), and Jeong (정 情). In: Chung, E.Y.J., Oh, J.S. (eds) Emotions in Korean Philosophy and Religion. Palgrave Studies in Comparative East-West Philosophy. Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
  • Lie, John. K-Pop: Popular Music, Cultural Amnesia, and Economic Innovation.
  • Oh, Ingyu & Park, Gil-Sung. From B2C to B2B: Selling Korean Pop Music in the Age of New Social Media.
Teaching methods
Lectures with interactive discussion.
Discussions based on case studies.
Analysis of emotions in Korean media texts (video clips, dramatic scenes).
Assessment methods
The evaluation will be based on: Active participation in discussions (50%) Final presentation and analytical work (50%)
Náhradní absolvování
In the case of a trip abroad, it is possible to complete the subject in a substitute form in the form of a separate written analysis and presentation after returning.
Language of instruction
Czech
Further Comments
The course is taught annually.
  • Enrolment Statistics (recent)
  • Permalink: https://is.muni.cz/course/phil/autumn2025/VKor_Emo