Unit 4: Free Response Question

               MAP A: Wikimedia Commons, Locator Map of South Korea, 2008. 
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Locator_map_of_South_Korea.svg

The Republic of Korea, commonly referred to as South Korea, is an East Asian country with a population of around 51 million.  South Korea is located on the Korean Peninsula where it shares a land boundary with North Korea. 

  1. Define the term nation-state.
  2. Explain TWO reasons South Korea does not fit the nation-state concept.
  3. Describe ONE challenge of a multistate nation.
  4. Describe the connection between the Cold War and present-day South Korean boundaries.
  5. Describe how South Korea’s land boundaries encourage or discourage interactions.
  6. Explain the degree to which the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea impacts South Korea.

Scoring Guideline

Reveal Answers

  1. Define the term nation-state.

When the boundaries of a cultural group and political unit match.

OR A country with cultural homogeneity.

 

  1. Explain TWO reasons South Korea does not fit the nation-state concept.

Reasons South Korea does not fit the nation-state concept include:

  1. Multistate nation- The boundaries of the Korean nation include the entire Korean peninsula and not just South Korea.
  2. Korean diaspora (Map B)- People have migrated from South Korea to other countries across the world meaning that the Korean nation is not isolated to South Korea.
  3. Religious diversity- South Korea has different cultural practices present, especially the presence of different religions, especially Christianity and Buddhism.
  4. Regional migration- South Korea’s economy has attracted immigrants from other countries include China, Vietnam, and the Philippines
  5. U.S. Presence- The United States continues to have military forces stationed in South Korea adding to the diversity of the country.

Scoring Note: Students must explain and not identity therefore simply saying something such as “multistate nation” is not enough.

Tip: Notice how the stimulus material can be used to help answer this question (B2. Korean diaspora).

 

C. Describe ONE challenge of a multistate nation.

Responses should address ethnonationalism in some way with people feeling a desire to create boundaries that match their cultural group (nation).

Scoring Note: Students must describe therefore responses should consist of complete ideas and not simply a short phrase.

 

D. Describe the connection between the Cold War and present-day South Korean boundaries.

Responses should demonstrate an understanding of Korea being caught between the influence/desires of the USSR vs. the United States. 

Scoring Note: Students must describe therefore responses should consist of complete ideas and not simply a short phrase.

 

E. Describe how South Korea’s land boundaries encourage or discourage interactions.

Responses should focus on how the land boundary discourages interactions by having heavy militarization plus a buffer zone between North and South Korea.

Scoring Note: Students must describe therefore responses should consist of complete ideas and not simply a short phrase.

Since the question focuses on LAND boundaries and South Korea’s only land boundary is heavily fortified, students must take the position of the boundary discouraging interaction and HOW.

 

F. Explain the degree to which the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea impacts South Korea.

Responses should indicate that UNCLOS impacts South Korea to a high degree 

AND 

That UNCLOS has a high impact because of most of South Korean boundaries being water boundaries and/or South Korea having claims to a number of islands. 

OR 

Responses should indicate that UNCLOS impacts South Korea to a low to moderate degree 

AND 

That UNCLOS has a low to moderate impact because:

  1. South Korea borders China which does not interpret the EEZ in the same way as many other countries 
  2. South Korea borders North Korea which does not follow UNCLOS OR signed but did not ratify UNCLOS
  3. United States’s involvement in South Korea since the US did not ratify UNCLOS

Scoring Note: When students are asked to “explain the degree to which” there MUST be a statement regarding to what degree and WHY.