Who owns the world’s artifacts? Jikji in the Age of Imperialism

The lesson begins with a brief reflection on recent newspaper headlines debating the ownership and location of historical artifacts that were taken from their home of origin to Western Europe during the Age of Imperialism. Students will then explore the significance of the Jikji book in world history. Next students will analyze the circumstances under which the Jikji book was relocated to France using scans of the Jikji cover, a timeline of events, and a secondary source on Franco–Korean relations in the mid to late 19th century. At the conclusion of the lesson students will use their analysis of the historical context to determine whether they think that the Jikji book should be repatriated back to Korea.