Finding aid for the Paul Courtright papers 3330
Bo Doub and Joy Kim
USC Libraries East Asian Library
2021 September
Doheny Memorial Library
3550 Trousdale Parkway
Los Angeles, California 90089-1825
Contributing Institution:
USC Libraries East Asian Library
Title: Paul Courtright papers
Creator:
Courtright, Paul
Identifier/Call Number: 3330
Physical Description:
0.21 Linear Feet
1 box
Date (inclusive): 1905-2019
Date (bulk): 1979-1985
Abstract: The Paul Courtright papers contain photograph albums, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, maps, reports, books, correspondence,
journals, and other material collected and/or created by Paul Courtright, a former Peace Corps volunteer who was stationed
in the Jeonnam Province of South Korea from 1979 to 1981. While working with leprosy patients in rural South Korea, Courtright
witnessed the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Courtright later published a book,
Witnessing Gwangju: A Memoir, detailing his experiences.
Language of Material:
English
, Korean
, Chinese
, Japanese
.
Container: 1
Scope and Contents
The Paul Courtright papers contain photograph albums, scrapbooks, newspaper clippings, maps, reports, books, correspondence,
journals, and other material collected and/or created by Paul Courtright, a former Peace Corps volunteer who was stationed
in the Jeonnam Province of South Korea from 1979 to 1981. While working with leprosy patients in rural South Korea, Courtright
witnessed the 1980 Gwangju Uprising. Courtright later published a book,
Witnessing Gwangju: A Memoir, detailing his experiences.
Conditions Governing Access
Advance notice required for access.
Conditions Governing Use
All requests for permission to publish or quote from manuscripts must be submitted in writing to the Department of the East
Asian Library at eal@usc.edu. Permission for publication is given on behalf of the East Asian Library as the owner of the
physical items and is not intended to include or imply permission of the copyright holder, which must also be obtained.
Rights Statement for Archival Description
Finding aid description and metadata are licensed under an Attribution 4.0 International (CC BY 4.0) license.
Preferred Citation
[Box/folder # or Item name], Paul Courtright papers, Collection no. 3330, Korean Heritage Library, East Asian Library, USC
Libraries, University of Southern California.
Immediate Source of Acquisition
Gift of Paul Courtright, 2018
Processing Information
Part of the collection has been digitized, but the digital surrogates are not yet publicly available via the USC Digital Library.
The Korean Heritage Library created a collection inventory in Excel in 2018. Most of the description from the Excel inventory
has been copied to this finding aid. The original inventory is linked to this collection's accession record (accession no.
2018-002) and included in the collection material.
Subjects and Indexing Terms
Korea -- Description and travel -- Archival resources
Korea (South) -- Politics and government -- 1960-1988 -- Archival resources
Democratization -- Korea (South) -- Archival resources
Books
Correspondence
Journals (accounts)
Maps
Newspaper clippings
Photograph albums
Reports
Scrapbooks
Courtright, Paul -- Archives
Peace Corps/Korea -- Archives
Box 1
Korea
1984-95.10
General
Consists of slides that depict different cities and incidents in South Korea
Scope and Contents
Album (Slides)
Box 1
Hansen's Disease Eye/UlcerProject: Korean Resettlement Villages
1981
General
Consists of photographs and medical reports which each lists patients' information
Scope and Contents
Scrapbook (Photographs, Report)
Box 1
Photograph album
1981
General
Consists of photos of patients and medical examinations and photographs that captures people's
daily lives in South Korea
Scope and Contents
Album (Photographs)
Box 1
16 Killed in Downpour
9/2/1980
General
Informs about the downpour occurred in Cholla-namdo and Kyongsang-namdo areas and the
casualties due to rain
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
Kang-yang'Caresses Lepers' Scars
1979-1980s
General
Features a girl named Julie G. Strong also known as Miss Kang Ju-hye, a student from Michigan and a colunteer field worker
from the U.S. Peace Corps who helps the patients
in Namwon
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
Peace Corps aide from Boise seeks home for Korean orphan
12/19/1980
General
Informs about a boy named Chul- Shik Kang, a South Korean orphan whom Paul Courtright has decided to seek adoptive parents
for the boy in
America
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article
Box 1
Peace Corps in Korea Terminates
Activities
Undated
General
Informs about the termination of
Peace Corps in Korea and how the volunteers received citations
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
Peace Corps to Phase Out
Operation in Korea
Undated
General
Informs about the termination of Peace Corps at the end of the fiscal year and the reasons of termination
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
2 men booked trying to steal hemp leaves
6/8/1984
General
Informs about an incident in which an American and a Korean males tried to teal hemp leaves in Sachon
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
Newspaper clipping
8/8/1981
General
The photo and caption highlights the farewell ceremony for U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in South Korea
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Photo and Caption (Clipping)
Box 1
Peace Corps Cotribution Memorable
8/15/1981
General
highlights the experiences of U.S. Peace Corps volunteers in South
Korea
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
Main Article's Title:
"President Park Dies"
10/28/1979
General
Informs about the death of President
Park Chung Hee
Scope and Contents
Newspaper (The
Korea Herald)
Box 1
In somber tributes, Koreans remember a watershed event in
democracy movement
5/19/1999
General
informs about the 19th anniversary of the 1980 Kwangju massacre and also the history of massacre
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
Main Article's Title: "President Park Shot Dead"
10/28/1979
General
Informs how President Park Chung- hee was accidentally shot and killed by Central Intelligence Agency Director Kim Jae-kyu
Scope and Contents
Newspaper (The Korea Times)
Box 1
Turning a Blind Eye
Fall 2009
General
Informs about the gender issues in eye care and how women have higher chances of becoming blind due to socio-cultural differences
between men and women
Scope and Contents
Article
Box 1
Newspaper clipping
Undated
General
The caption and photo show U.S. Peace corps volunteers learning Korean in preparation of
volunteering in South Korea
Scope and Contents
Article Photo and Caption (Clipping)
Box 1
34 New Members Sworn Into Peace Corps Korea
Undated
General
Informs about the ceremony held to celebrate newly joined Peace Corps
Korea members
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
한국서 시작한 눈병 치료 이젠 한국이
도와주네요
8/21/2015
General
Features Paul Courtright who underlines his experience in South Korea where he encountered many patients suffering from eye
diseases and also acclaims South Korea's advanced treatment in eye diseases
Scope and Contents
Newspaper Article (Clipping)
Box 1
Cholla Remembered
1/20/1996
General
Wrriten by Paul Courtright, this article highlights Courtright suggesting the writer to make corrections in regards to the
incident
of Kwangju massacre
Scope and Contents
Article
Box 1
최신 우리나라전도
3/3/1981
General
Map of Korean peninsula separated into districts, and information map of tourist areas in each district of
South Korea
Scope and Contents
map
Box 1
관광안내 Sight-Seeking
Guide
10/15/1976
General
Tourist map of South Korea which
visually illustrates tourist areas
Scope and Contents
Tourist Map
Box 1
Tourist Map of Korea
6/2/1905
General
Tourist Map of South Korea showing roads and some areas indicated with
dates
Scope and Contents
Tourist Map
Box 1
최신
서울특별시안내도
3/6/1981
General
Tourist map of Seoul with map legend which consists of symbols of roads, buildings, lakes, church,
temples, etc.
Scope and Contents
Tourist Map
Box 1
최신 남한관광안내도
4/7/1975
General
Tourist map of South Korea with drawings of mountains, temples, and etc. with map legend indicating
roads and freeways
Scope and Contents
Tourist Map
Box 1
Tourist Map of Korea
5/15/1978
General
Tourist map of South Korea and maps of specific districts with map legend indicating freeways, hotels,
national parks, etc.
Scope and Contents
Tourist Map
Box 1
Tourist Map Seoul Korea Host City of the 1988 Olympics and the 1986
Asian Games
1/19/1985
General
Tourist map of South Korea and Seoul both with map legend indicating tourist areas such as
temples, hot spring, beach, etc.
Scope and Contents
Tourist Map
Box 1
Tourist Map of Mt. Seolag and East Coast
Undated
General
Guide topographic map of climbing Mt. Odae and also map of Mt. Seolag and East Coast with map legend indicating tourist spots
Scope and Contents
Tourist Map
Box 1
경상북도전도
7/3/1976
General
A map for public adminstration, traffic, and tourism with map legend
of tourist spots and roads
Scope and Contents
Map
Box 1
The Underdogs Bite Back
12/16/1995
General
Discusses the history of 1980 Kwangju massacre including the casualties
Scope and Contents
Article
Box 1
Developing a Project as Part of your Peace Corps Experience: A Korean
Example
May, 1983
General
Report that discusses the project of Peace Corps Volunteers
Scope and Contents
Project Report
Box 1
Description of Peace Corps Volunteer Service
8/31/1981
General
Report discussing Mr. Paul
Courtrights's experience in Peace Corps volunteer service
Scope and Contents
Report
Box 1
Code of Conduct
Undated
General
Code of conduct discussing rules to
be followed at training center
Scope and Contents
Code of Conduct (List)
Box 1
Peace Corps Volunteer, Delbert Blume, Tells of Experiences in the
Country of Korea
8/26/1976
General
Delbert Blume shares his experience as a Peace Corps volunteer after returning to America
Scope and Contents
Article
Box 1
Tour of Tongdo-Sa Temple
8/29/1972
General
Tour guide of Tongdo-Sa Temple and its special locations
Scope and Contents
Booklet
Box 1
The Centennial of Korea~U.S.A. Relations
May, 1982
General
About the diplomatic relationship
between the United States and Korea from 1882 to 1982
Scope and Contents
Booklet
Box 1
Map of South Korea peninsula
Undated
General
Map of South Korean peninsula along with more detailed map of
Jeon Nam province
Scope and Contents
Map
Box 1
Booklet with multiple articles
1984
General
1. about chairman commemorating 15th anniveraty of the founding of Korean Air Lines
2. about Songgwang-sa of Mt.Chogye
3. about the Confucian schools,
customs, and shrines in Korea
Scope and Contents
1. KAL Commemorates 15th Anniversary
2. "Korea's 'Most Respected Temple'"
3. Confucian Schools
Box 1
Collection of journals
April-November, 1979
General
multiple journals about the person's experience in Korea
Scope and Contents
Collection of journals
Box 1
"Inchon, The Making of an Epic"
Undated
General
About the production process and storyline of the film called "Inchon!"
Scope and Contents
Booklet
Box 1
Life - red tobacco cover
Undated
General
red tobacco cover
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous
Box 1
Peace on Earth
Undated
General
a small paper with an image of countryside and mountain along with a drawing of two kids on the
bottom
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous
Box 1
GeoBugseon (거북선)
Undated
General
A cigarette cover with a image of geobugseon and South Korean and US flags, consists of welcoming message to U.S. president
and Mrs.
Jimmy Carter
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous
Box 1
PLAN A TOUR THIS WEEKEND/COMING SOON-- OSCAR'S NEW
COMMISSARY
Apr-82
General
Tv Guide consisting of list of tv channels following show titles on 22 Thursday and 23 Friday
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous
Box 1
Peace Corps/Korea k-48 Directory
Undated
General
A directory with a list of K-48 members' names following their address, email, and Korean city,
organized alphabetically
Scope and Contents
Booklet (Directory)
Box 1
민주화의 길
Undated, picture taken on 1980.05.16
General
A paper with a black and white image of "People gathering in the square"
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous
Box 1
Directory
Undated
General
List of names following their home
adress, with certain names circled
Scope and Contents
Directory (List)
Box 1
"관인생탁" 나주경찰서
5/31/1980
General
A police report about a requested personal protection of Peace Corps
Volunteer (Paul Courtright)
Scope and Contents
Police Report
Box 1
Essay and medical report
April/September 1980
General
Paul Courtright's essay about medical examination of leprosy patients in Korea along with a template of eye examination chart
and supply list
Scope and Contents
Essay and medical report
Box 1
민화투
Undated
General
A description of "Hwa t'oo" or flower fight, a card game, along with a
game instruction
Scope and Contents
Report
Box 1
Helpful Hints for Getting
Along in Korea
Undated
General
A list of ways through which the
volunteers can get along in Korea
Scope and Contents
List (Instruction)
Box 1
American Involvement
Undated
General
About US involvement in Kwangju
massacre and its commitment of security and stability
Scope and Contents
Document
Box 1
An Anthropologists Observations on Peace Corps/Korea
Undated
General
discusses how Peace Corps Volunteers view Koreans and how to build a good relationship with them
Scope and Contents
Document
Box 1
Drinking in Korea
Undated
General
discusses the manners and customs of drinking culture in Korea and adds the writer's experince as well
Scope and Contents
Document
Box 1
Report of the United
States Peace Corps/Korea Progrmas
Undated
General
discusses the history of Peace Corps Program and its 15 years of
achievements
Scope and Contents
Report (revised)
Box 1
Cross-Cultural Adjustment Process Indicators
Undated
General
a list of ways to make cross-cultural adjustment process in South Korea as a Peace Corps Volunteer
Scope and Contents
List
Box 1
80만 시민에게
호소합니다
May, 1980
General
Asks the Korean citizens to work together to fight for the Kwangju
victims
Scope and Contents
Document
Box 1
범도민 불법무기
찾기운동에 즈음하여
7/1/1980
General
Asks the Korean citizens to help find firearms used during the Kwangju
massacre
Scope and Contents
Document
Box 1
Peace Corps Volunteer Background Information Form
2/9/1979
General
includes a information form about applicant's background information and also a page of instructions for completing background
information
form
Scope and Contents
Document : Information form
Box 1
Trainee Assignment Criteria
3/20/1979
General
includes education and experience requirements for Peace Corps Volunteer applicants an also volunteer assignment description
such as project goals and objectives
Scope and Contents
Document : Criteria Sheet
Box 1
주한미평화사단
9/21/1981
General
A letter from James E.H. Mayer to Paul Courtright through which Mayer thanks Courtright for his dedication and work at Peace
Corps
Volunteer Program
Scope and Contents
Letter
Box 1
Letter from Paul Courtright to Senator Frank Church
11/7/1980
General
A letter from Paul Courtright to Senator Frank Church through which Courtright discusses his experience as Peace Corps leprosy
worker at Gwangju incident and shares his sincere empathy for Church's loss in
his reelection
Scope and Contents
Letter
Box 1
An Open Letter to Future Peace Corps Volunteers in Korea
3/26/1976
General
writes a letter to future Peace Corps Volunteer stationed in South Korea about Korean culture and his
volunteering experience
Scope and Contents
Letter
Box 1
호혜원 주민 정성모아…
Undated
General
front page: about Hohyewon villagers gathering for Yuk Youngsoo's commemorative monument
back page: Jeonnam branch leader
guiding health commissioner to clinic construction areas
Scope and Contents
Miscellaneous (paper from a booklet)
Box 1
Collection of journals
May, June 1980
General
collection of journals about writer's experience and witness of student demonstrations at Gwangwha-Moon and Gwangju and police
activity
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Letter from Joyce Mosser to Paul Courtright
3/23/1996
General
A letter from Joyce Mosser to Paul Courtright; Mosser thanks Courtright for inviting her to K-48 reunion, but tells him that
she will not be able to attend the reunion due to financial issue and far distance from Ohio to Washington, and she shares
her life after her Peace Corps volunteer experience
Scope and Contents
Letter
Box 1
Journals
1/19,24,27 / 1980
General
A collection of journal through which the writer shares his or her experience and hardships at Hohyewon
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
President Park Chung Hee Passed Away
(朴正熙大統頒逝去)
10/27/1979
General
Reports President Park Chung Hee's death
Scope and Contents
Newspaper (clipping)
Box 1
Journal written by an American translator from Idaho who shares his daily life and struggles as a translator in South Korea
4/28/1982
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Journal written by Paul Courtright who recently returned to Boise, Idaho from South Korea'
March, September, November, 1980
General
A journal written by Paul Courtright who recently returned to Boise, Idaho from South Korea'; he shares his struggles as he
wishes to return back to Korea to partake in his eye project
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Paul Courtright journal
2/23/1980
General
A journal written by a Paul Courtright who recently heard the news of hisr father's diagnosis of cancer and is on return to
America
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Paul Courtright journal
1/11/1982
General
Courtright shares his short vacation he had in America and is planning to leave to Korea; he shares his future goals and struggles
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Paul Courtright journal
circa 7/13/1982
General
Courtright recollects his experience as Peace Corps volunteer in South Korea and shares his story mainly divided into places
where he stayed in Korea
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Paul Courtright journal
7/6/1981
General
Courtright shares how his friends are returning back to America and how
he is left alone in South Korea
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Paul Courtright journal
10/21/1981
General
Courtright shares his emotions in remaining in Korea without his friends who have already returned to the States and also
his experience
of teaching in Korea
Scope and Contents
Journal
Box 1
Paul Courtright's interview in Korea
2019.05.25
General
Article from Chosun Ilbo interviewed Paul Courtright
Scope and Contents
Document