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Archery Class

3 posts2005live thread
Thomas Duvernay
So much is happening at this new university I'm working at here in Korea. I am underway preparing for an archery club here this fall; if all goes well, it should prove to be quite popular. I think the only sticking point, in the eyes of the school administration, is safety. As most anyone involved with archery knows, it is quite safe, as long as certain basic safety practices are observed. I will stress safety, including the placement of our proposed club.

Another opportunity has to do with my master's degree major: Korean studies. We have a large number of international students, from fifty-nine countries. Many of them speak little to no Korean, so learning about Korean culture and history is not easy. I proposed to the dean of academic affairs that I be allowed to create an English-language Korean history course. He was very receptive and referred me to the chair of general studies; I have to send her my resume, along with syllabi.

I spent a lot of yesterday designing three different courses. The first would cover the periods from a couple millennia B.C. to the end of the 19th century. The second would cover the years 1866-1910 (when Western influence started breaking down Korea's doors). The third, my dream class, I called Living Korean History. It would cover the past couple millennia from the perspective of Korean archers (as they participated in most all important events in Korean history). The students would, literally, become like those archers. I designed it as a three-credit class, which would meet twice a week. The first meeting would be lecture, while the second would be practical: students would meet at the archery club for archery instruction and practice.

Here's hoping!


T
Thomas Duvernay
Here is the syllabus for the proposed class (some formatting didn't show too well):

Handong Global University

Living Korean History


Professor: Thomas Duvernay Office: GL 308

Telephone # Office: 260-1852 Office Hours:

Email: [email protected]

Course: Living Korean History

3 credits

Course Description:
This course will examine Korean history from a personal perspective. As the bow and arrow is at the very heart and soul of the Korean people and their history, students will look at past centuries in Korea through the eyes of archers. Students will not only learn the practical aspects of Korean traditional archery through practice, they will also learn about social, political and diplomatic realities in the country, down the centuries, by way of an archer?s perspective. The class will be divided into two parts?lecture and skills?so the first class of the week will meet in a classroom, while the second class of the week will meet at the archery field. Field trips to local related places are possible.

Required Text: Korean Traditional Archery, by Thomas Duvernay (publication pending)

Course Outcomes:

Students successfully completing this course are expected to

Have a good understanding of Korean society, politics and diplomacy during each era examined.
Have a basic understanding of Korean traditional archery, both historic and modern.
Successfully pass a skill-based archery exam.

Grading

50% Tests (2 tests?Midterm 25% & Final 25%)

30% Archery Tests (2 tests, 15% each)

20% Attendance/Participation/Quizzes

Attendance Policy:

? More than 25% absences for any reason (even excused) will result in an automatic ?F? for this class.

? Each ?unexcused? absence will result in a loss of 1% from the final course grade, up to a maximum of 10%.

? If you miss a class or are late for a class, it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY to find out what you have missed (homework assignments, handouts, etc.). You are accountable for what you miss. Depending on the circumstances, the professor has the right NOT to grant make-up work, including assignments and tests.

? 3 times late for class equals 1 absence. More than 15 minutes late for class equals 1 absence.

Assignments/Homework

Late work will receive ? of the total points for that work.

Class Schedule
Lecture/Skills

Week 1: Introductions
Archery safety

Week 2: Prehistoric times, Tong-i

Bow & arrow presentation/demonstration

Bow drawing practice
Week 3: Three Kingdoms period, China, Hwarang, sesok okye

Thumb rings, tethered arrow shooting

Week 4: Unified Silla, types of bows and arrows

Tethered arrow shooting

Week 5: Koryǒ dynasty, archery rules, etiquette

Standard Korean target shooting

Week 6: Early Chosǒn dynasty

Long distance target shooting (nansa, chilsa)

Week 7: Middle Chosǒn dynasty, Imjinwaeran (arms, armor and tactics)

Short distance target shooting (kŭnsa, chǒlsa)

Week 8: Late Chosǒn dynasty, Kabo reform

Aerial shooting

Week 9: Midterm Exam

Practical Exam

Week 10: Japanese colonial period, Chosǒnŭi kungsul

Pyǒnsa
Week 11: Post-war period, Chǒng kan

Standard Korean target shooting/craft activity

Week 12: Korean War period

Standard Korean target shooting/craft activity

Week 13: Pre-industrialized Korea, Hanguk kungdo hyǒbhwe

Standard Korean target shooting/craft activity

Week 14: Saemaul movement to present day, Olympic archery

Standard Korean target shooting/craft activity

Week 15: Review

Practical Exam (part 1)
Week 16 Final Exam

Practical Exam (part 2)
Samuraiwarrior
That looks nice. I am not really up to commenting on how you are going to teach, because I have no skill in that area, but I am sure it will go great. Those consequences are similar to the ones I have at school. I wish I could take the class. :)
Good luck with the class.
And have you yet set up an archery grounds at the university?