Hildi Kang
Research Fellow
Center for Korean Studies
| CONTENTS | |
|---|---|
| The Text (Word format, PDF format) A brief background on basic Confucian teachings. The Confucian transformation of Korea beginning in 1392 and the subsequent erosion of women’s rights, particularly in the areas of freedom of movement, inheritance, marriage, and ancestral rituals. The legacy of this Confucian transformation in modern Korea. | 1–14 |
| Timeline of legal restrictions on women's rights in Korea 1392 to 1800 (Word format, PDF format) | 15 |
| Suggestions for Teachers (Word format, PDF format) | 16-17 |
| Graphic organizer for classroom presentation (Word format, PDF format) | 18-19 |
| List of images (Word format, PDF format) | 20 |
| Image Gallery | |
Confucianism is not just clever saying in fortune cookies. Confucius envisioned a society where good people behaved in a civilized manner through education, proper government and family life, all guided by a system of rites and rituals. He was born in China, but China never made consistent use of his teachings. China, although incorporating many Confucian ideals (patrilineage, for example) used Confucian doctrines along with others, as suited their purpose. They never chose to be a distinct “Confucian” country. Korea, on the other hand, at the change of dynasties in 1392, made a conscious decision to become a thoroughly Confucian country. This paper looks at one aspect of what can happen when such good intentions are taken to the extreme.
Rule of Law:
The Story of Human Rights in World History
2004 ORIAS Summer Teachers' Institute
University of California, Berkeley
July 26-30, 2004