Korean Courses

Korean 101 Elementary Korean I

This course is the first half of the Elementary Korean language sequence. It is designed for those who have no prior (or very limited) knowledge of Korean. Lecture will introduce new material and explain conversational patterns considering grammatical, lexical, and pragmatic aspects of Korean. Some class meetings will be conducted entirely in Korean. Emphasis is placed on the fundamentals of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. In addition, students will be exposed to everyday life contexts (e.g., language use, culture, etc.) likely to be encountered in contemporary Korean society.

Korean 102 Elementary Korean II 

Prerequisite: Korean 101 or as determined by a placement test and the instructor.
Korean 102 is the second half of the elementary Korean language sequence. As a continuation of Korean 101, the main purpose of Korean 102 is to lay ground work for the study of Korean language and culture. Lecture will introduce new material and provide explanations on those conversational patterns in grammatical, lexical, and pragmatic terms. A portion of the class will be conducted entirely in Korean. Students continue to learn vocabulary, pronunciation, grammar, and the writing system by practicing Korean to achieve Novice High level of speaking, listening, reading, and writing. 

Korean 202 Intermediate Korean IV 

Prerequisite: Korean 201 or as determined by a placement test and the instructor.
Korean 202 is the second half of the intermediate Korean language sequence. The course provides students with further conversational and grammatical skills beyond those learned in the first year. To achieve Intermediate Mid level proficiency, students practice reading comprehension, grammar, vocabulary, and conversation using textbooks and authentic materials for introduction of Korean culture and authentic language usage. 

Korean 302 Korean Level VI 

Prerequisite: Korean 301 or as determined by a placement test and the instructor. 
Korean 302 aims to help students develop their language skills in four areas-speaking, listening, reading, and writing- in Korean at the advanced level. It covers grammar and vocabulary, reading comprehension, fluency, conversation manners, and public speaking. Emphasis will be on the appropriate use of Korean in a variety of situations including schools, companies, and formal/informal meetings. This course also enables students to understand Korean culture and history and to develop cross-cultural insights by comparing Korean society with US society. Korean history, image of Korea, and current social trends in Korea will be discussed for a solid understanding of Korean culture in which Korean language is embedded.

Korean 380 Korean Politics

This course will be offered as a variable-title course focusing on traditional, historical, social, and political themes of Korea.

Korean 380 Korean Traditional Music and Culture

This course will be offered as a variable-title course focusing on traditional, historical, social, and political themes of Korea. This course is an advanced-level language and culture course that uses traditional Korean music as a lens for understanding the history, culture, and society of Korea from ancient times through the Joseon dynasty and into the present day. It covers folk songs, court music, ritual music, and the evolution of performance traditions, while also examining how these forms continue to shape contemporary Korean culture and its global influence in the twenty-first century.Through this course, students will not only study the historical and cultural contexts of Korean music but also engage in hands-on practice with the gayageum, a traditional Korean instrument. Each class will combine a lecture segment using multimedia materials (about 30 minutes) with guided gayageum instruction (about 45 minutes). The course will culminate in a final recital, allowing students to demonstrate their learning and experience Korean traditional music through performance.

Korean 381 Korean Food and Culture

This course is an advanced-level language and culture course that uses food as a lens for understanding the history, cultures, and society of Korea. It covers gastronomy, history, ideologies of modern Korean cuisine, and other aspects of daily life related to Korean traditions. Through this course, students will enhance their proficiency in speaking, listening, reading, and writing in Korean. They will explore a range of topics connected to the eating, making, and representation of food. The primary language of instruction will be Korean, with some supplementary reading material in English. 

For additional information and/or questions, contact instructor Huai-Rhin Kim.