The Educational Resources Information Center (ERIC), sponsored by the U.S. Department of Education, is the largest and oldest education information system in the world. The ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education (ERIC/ChESS) is one of sixteen subject-oriented clearinghouses that compose the ERIC system. The heart of this system, the ERIC database of education-related literature, contains nearly one million citations with abstracts, drawn from a variety of disciplines. Citations to journal articles, teaching and curriculum guides, bibliographies, research reports, and conference papers are included. The ERIC database is available free in many large public and university libraries and on the Internet.

The listings below are drawn from the ERIC database and include both teaching materials and general background information on the topic. The key to obtaining the full text of the materials cited below is the unique ERIC number assigned to each item in the database. Journal articles, denoted by “EJ” numbers (for example, EJ549890), can be copied at most academic libraries, borrowed through interlibrary loan, or purchased from article reprint services such as UnCover, UMI, and ISI. Research reports, conference papers, and other materials besides journal articles are denoted by “ED” numbers (for example, ED398110); paper or microfiche copies of most of these documents can be purchased from the ERIC Document Reproduction Service (EDRS), 7420 Fullerton Road, Suite 110, Springfield, VA 22153-2852; (800) 443-3742; (703) 440-1400; <edrs@inet.ed.gov>; <http://edrs.com>; or copied from an ERIC microfiche collection, available at many libraries.

ERIC/ChESS welcomes requests for general information or sample database searches on topics within the social studies, social sciences, and music and art education. Contact ERIC/ChESS by telephone at (800) 266-3815 or (812) 855-3838, or by e-mail at <ericso@indiana.edu>.

Background Information

Bennett, Paul W. “United States Policy in the Korean War: Three Different American Perspectives.” History and Social Science Teacher 23 (Fall 1987): 39-43. EJ364194. This article discusses background and events leading up to the Korean War. The author examines the views of President Harry S. Truman, Secretary of State Dean G. Acheson, and General Douglas MacArthur.

Ihm, Chon-Sun. “South Korea’s Economic Development.” Social Studies 79 (July/August 1988): 165-69. EJ376896. This article examines South Korea’s economic development from one of the poorest nations in the world to a “rising giant” in international trade. It surveys the path to growth, the reasons for success, and problems and new challenges facing the country as it seeks developed-nation status.

Kaltsounis, Theodore and Se Ho Shin. “South Korea—A Country on the Move.” Social Studies 79 (July/August 1988): 137-39. EJ376891. The authors survey South Korea’s continuing democratization and economic success, characterizing the country as a source of inspiration for the growth of other developing nations. They also assess the forces behind the country’s economic progress and the effects of U.S. influence and suggest what might be taught in U.S. schools about South Korea.

Park, Young-Han. “The Geography of Korea.” Social Studies 79 (July/August 1988): 141-45. EJ376892. This article briefly surveys the geography of both North and South Korea, examining mountain ranges, rivers, soil, and climate. It also discusses the economic activities of South Korea, including industrialization, transportation, population, and urbanization. A map of the Korean peninsula and a table of land area and population by province are provided.

Teaching Materials

Cumings, Bruce. Divided Korea: United Future? Headline Series No. 306. New York: Foreign Policy Association, 1995. Available from The Foreign Policy Association, 470 Park Avenue South, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10016-6819; (800) 628-5754. ED414239. This booklet examines the emergence of the two Koreas and implications for their unification. By tracing the philosophical development of the nations as well as shared ideas and values, the booklet explains policy issues faced by the nations and other world powers in dealing with them. Chapters include: “Legacies from the Past;” “Eclipse by Japan;” “Liberation, Two States and War;” “South Korean Politics’;” “North Korean Politics;” “The Two Economies;” and “Korea’s Relationship to the World.” The booklet also includes basic background, maps, charts, discussion guides, and suggested reading.

Cumings, Bruce. The Two Koreas. Foreign Policy Association Headline Series, No. 269. New York: Foreign Policy Association, 1984. Available from The Foreign Policy Association, 470 Park Avenue South, 2nd Floor, New York, NY 10016-6819; (800) 628-5754. 1-9 copies, $3 each; discounts on larger quantities. ED270373. One in a series of booklets designed to stimulate greater understanding of world affairs among Americans, this seven-chapter report examines the political, economic, and anomalous positions of North and South Korea in the international context. Topics include the historical development of the two Koreas; the colonial system’s impact on Korea; national division and rivalry; the Korean War; South Korean political crises and growth; North Korea’s socialist corporatism system; the two Koreas’ different economies; and the diplomacy of North and South Korea. The guide also includes questions for students and discussion groups, maps, pictures, and an annotated reading list.

Hoge, John Douglas and Richard Rosch, eds. Teaching More about Korea: Lessons for Students in Grades K-12. New York: The Korea Society, 1997. Available from The Korea Society, 950 Third Avenue, 8th floor, New York, NY 10022; (212) 759-7525. ED425988. Instructors can use the lessons in this book as a teaching unit on Korea or as supplemental lessons to ongoing social studies programs. The book is divided into seven parts—language, geography, history, culture, economy, literature, and resources—and provides lesson plans for each of the seven areas.

Johnson, Jeffrey R. Teaching about the Two Koreas (ERIC Digest). Bloomington, IN: ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, 1991. Available from The ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education, 2805 East Tenth Street, Suite 120, Bloomington, IN 47408-2698; (812) 855-3838. ED339672. Recent events in Europe suggest that the pattern of global ideological struggle that provoked the division of Korea is dissolving and giving way to nationalist movements. The division of the Korean people now appears anachronistic, and there are signs that reunification is possible. Despite the importance of the Korean peninsula in world affairs, social studies courses often neglect the two Koreas. This ERIC digest examines reasons to teach about Korea and ways to integrate Korea into the curriculum, while recommending useful resources for teachers.

Lee, Yong-sook, et al., eds. Teaching about Korea: Elementary and Secondary Activities. Boulder: Social Science Education Consortium, Inc., 1986. Available from Social Science Education Consortium, Inc., 855 Broadway, Boulder, CO 80302. ED292718. This book provides classroom activities to teach about Korean culture and society within the context of larger social science units. Also, some of the lessons may be taught within the context of the humanities and fine arts. A historical overview and suggestions for working with small groups introduces the eighteen lessons. Each lesson includes an introduction to the activity, lesson objectives, suggested grade level, time required, necessary materials, teaching procedures, teacher background notes, student handouts, and follow-up activities. The seventeen activities focus on the following topics: the 1988 Summer Olympic Games in Seoul; Korea’s status in the world; important Korean historical figures; Korean economic development and trade; Korean communities in the United States; Korean culture and life, including the Confucian ethic; Korean homes; Korean foods; Korean family celebrations and holidays; Buddhism; the Korean alphabet; Korean proverbs; Korean folklore and poetry; and Korean games and kites. A list of additional resources for teaching about Korea is provided.

Peters, Richard. From the 38th Parallel to the DMZ: Teaching about the Two Koreas—A Nation Divided (1945-Present). Plaistow, NH: Global Horizons, The Center for Applied Ecosocial Studies, 1989. ED315354. This guide discusses how the Korean peninsula came to be divided in 1945, and describes the stalemate that has existed since that time. This brief history is followed by lesson plans for grades 6-12. The lesson plans include goals, activities, and assessment techniques for teaching the following concepts: 1) territorial occupation by foreign troops; 2) self governance; 3) military aggression, territorial invasion, and sovereignty; 4) military preparedness and peace keeping; and 5) anti-Americanism and the reunification campaign. The guide provides maps and reproductions of newspaper clippings that can be used in conjunction with the lesson plans, as well as a list of additional resources.

Schisgall, Jane and Rod Farmer. “Teaching about South Korea.” Social Studies 75 (March/April 1984): 56-61. EJ297411. These learning activities will help secondary students become aware of Korea as a separate entity in Asia, see Korea as a developing area of the modern world, and gain an appreciation for Korean traditions.

Van Decar, Patricia. “Teaching about Korea in Secondary School.” Social Studies 79 (July/August 1988): 177-93. EJ376898. Van Decar presents twelve study guides for teaching secondary school students about Korean history and culture. The study guides deal with ancient legends, history, family, women’s roles, traditions, folk customs, economic development, the division of Korea, the Korean War, links with the United States, and comparisons between North and South Korea.

Laura A. Pinhey is the coordinator of user services and products for the ERIC Clearinghouse for Social Studies/Social Science Education (ERIC/ChESS) at Indiana University in Bloomington. She holds a Bachelor of Science in English from the University of Southern Indiana and a Master of Library Science from Indiana University.