Korean

This course provides English-speaking students with various kinds of knowledge about the Korean language including structural characteristics of modern Korean, the information on the writing system (i.e. Hangeul), socio-cultural effects on the Korean language, etc. The course is offered from a linguistic point of view, but does not require a specific linguistic knowledge. It is not a language training course, but will help gain a deeper understanding of Korean, which is very useful in acquiring a better command of Korean.

This course offered from the SNU Graduate School of International Studies covers an introduction to key issues in Korean society, with a focus on contemporary South Korea. Students engage with “big ideas” about modernity, the state, the nation, and democracy.  

Topics include Diversity and modernity; Discipline, violence, and modernity; The state, dictatorship, and industrialization; The Minjung movement; Memory and political movements; Democracy after dictatorship; Democracy and overseas initiatives; Identity and transnationalism.  

In addition to in-class quizzes and exams, students meet separately with the instructor in small groups twice during the term. These meetings are compulsory and count toward participation grades. 

This course for international students covers Korean language and culture based on multi-media content. In this course, through various forms of content such as videos, visual materials, and text materials, students acquire media literacy suitable for the changing university environment, and furthermore, by understanding Korean culture and their own culture from an intercultural perspective, they cultivate a multicultural perspective and the literacy of being a global citizen. In addition, in the process of understanding multi-media content in Korean, students develop strategic Korean comprehension and expression skills. In addition, by carrying out cooperative activities and tasks, they develop collaboration and communication skills.  

Topics include Korean culture through food, music, performance, the city, stories, and play. It is recommended that students take Intermediate Korean before enrolling in this course.