This two-part lecture explores Korea's turbulent path from Japanese colonial rule (1910–1945) to the outbreak of the Korean War in 1950. It examines how decades of occupation shaped competing visions for Korea's future, focusing on the revolutionary Marxist movement that culminated in the leadership of Kim Il Sung in the North and the nationalist, anti-communist vision championed by Syngman Rhee in the South. By tracing the political, ideological, and international forces that transformed liberation into division, these lectures explain how rival Korean leaders and Cold War tensions culminated in the creation of two separate states and one of the twentieth century's most consequential conflicts.

The Fifty and Better (FAB) program was designed for people ages 50 and older, seeking intellectual stimulation through university level courses — without the pressure of grades — for the sake of learning and social engagement.