2026 Capstone Lectures with Dr. Don Baker
Korea has produced many outstanding individuals over its long history. However, it is hard to find three historically significant figures who shared the same father and mother. In this talk, Dr. Baker will discuss three men who did.
Chŏng Yagyong, better known as Tasan, was one of the most prolific and creative thinkers in all Korean history, writing not only on Confucian philosophy but also on medicine and government administration. Chŏng Yakchŏn is remembered for taking advantage of his time in exile on a remote island to write Korea’s first study of the biological characteristics of sea life. Chŏng Yakchong is revered by Catholics for refusing to renounce his Catholic faith even though he knew that would cost him his life.
The lives of these three brothers are fascinating in their own right but together they also offer valuable insight into life in Korea during the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
This talk is free and open to the public. Registration is encouraged for planning purposes.
Date & Time:
Friday, January 30, 2026 | 5:30pm – 7:30pm (PT)
5:30pm – 6:00pm (PT) Reception with light refreshments
6:00pm – 7:30pm (PT) Lecture and Q&A
Location:
Auditorium, Asian Centre, 1871 West Mall, Vancouver BC
Map | Parking
Speaker
Don Baker has been teaching Korean history and religion at UBC since 1987, the year he founded the Korean Studies program in the Department of Asian Studies. He has published on Korean history, religion, philosophy, and traditional science and medicine. He first became involved with Korea as a US Peace Corps volunteer in Gwangju in 1971.
About the Capstone Lectures Series
The Capstone Lectures at the Department of Asian Studies recognize the retirement from teaching of professors of the Department. They are an occasion for colleagues, students, former students and the public to hear from faculty members—who have, in many cases, taught and researched for decades at UBC—explaining questions that have inspired their career-defining studies.
