Sinwoo Lee

Research

Dr. Sinwoo Lee is a historian of Modern Korea and East Asia. Her current research explores Seoul’s urban transformation from the late nineteenth to early twentieth century within the East Asian and global contexts. More specifically, Lee focuses on Seoul’s transformation from a walled to an open space and the various historical actors, ranging from the Korean state, multiple imperial powers, and ordinary residents in the city, who participated in this process. In doing so, she reveals that Seoul at the time served as an arena of contestation and negotiation among diversely situated groups who strove to carve out their places in the changing world order. Part of this research appeared in the Journal of Korean Studies.   

Teaching

Lee has previously taught at UCLA, Claremont McKenna College, and the Underwood International College at Yonsei University. At CSU Chico, Lee teaches courses in History and Asian Studies. Her regular course offering includes “Introduction to Asian Studies” (ASST 110); “East Asia Before 1800” (HIST 373); “East Asia After 1800” (HIST 374); and “Modern China” (HIST 475).