Korean

KOREAN 101 - Elementary Korean I 

An introduction to spoken Korean, the Korean writing system (한글) and essential grammar.   Students learn to navigate everyday situations such as service encounters and simple social interactions. Creative group projects (e.g. music video) encourage students to go beyond memorized language and use Korean in personally meaningful manners. No prior knowledge of Korean is required;  students with previous experience may be placed into a higher-level course.  

KOREAN 102 - Elementary Korean II 

A continuation of Korean 102, this course expands students'  vocabulary and grammatical knowledge to support comprehension and expression in a wider range of communicative settings.  Students begin reading short stories (e.g. fables) and create short videos and digital storybooks.   Students with some prior knowledge of Korean may be placed directly into this level. 

KOREAN 203 - Intermediate Korean I 

The first course in the Intermediate sequence, KOREAN 203 helps students move beyond basic communication to engage with longer and more complex texts.  Instead of a traditional textbook, students work with contemporary media such as web dramas and webtoons, alongside traditional folktales. Through these materials, students expand their language proficiency while gaining insight into Korean cultural practices and perspectives embedded in everyday life.

KOREAN 204 - Intermediate Korean II 

Continuing the intermediate sequence, this course further develops  students' linguistic and cultural competence through thematic exploration of Seoul landmarks,  pre-modern historical figures and events, and environmental issues.  Students apply their growing skills in collaborative and creative ways, including writing and performing a group drama and delivering an individual presentation on a topic of interest.

KOREAN 303 - Pre-advanced Korean 

Designed for students who are fluent in conversational Korean but less familiar with formal and academic Korean, this course cultivates literacy skills.  Students engage with diverse  media and texts, including webtoons, graphic narratives, folktales, and magazine articles. Through coursework and term projects, students refine their interpretive and presentational abilities for social and academic contexts.  Successful completion prepares students for KOREAN 306.   

KOREAN 305 - Advanced Korean I 

This advanced course, following KOREAN 204 or open to students with sufficient prior preparations, focuses on discussing enduring social and cultural themes using authentic texts.  Students immerse themselves in a wide range of print and media materials exploring Korea's cultural history, including culinary traditions and innovations, regional identities and legacies, and the classic pansori narrative Ch’unhyang.    

KOREAN 306 - Advanced Korean II 

The highest level course in the third-year sequence,  KOREAN 306 engages student with pressing issues in contemporary South Korea, such as college entrance exams, military conscription, immigration, and real estate. Students examine how these debates intersect with class, gender, ethnicity, and nationality. Course materials includes journalistic writing, television news and programs, alternative media, documentaries and feature films, preparing student to engage critically with real-world Korean discourse. 

KOREAN 407 - Issues in Korean Language and Society I: Modern Korean History 

Continuing from KOREAN 306 and interchangeable with KOREAN 408, this course explores key moments in the making of modern Korea.  Using a reverse chronological approach, the course begins with recent political developments and moves backwards through industrialization and economic development, the Korean War, and the early twentith century. Readings,  primarily in Korean with some in English, include historical texts, primary sources, and representation of history in popular media. The course is also open students with formal Korean education below the high school level.

KOREAN 408 - Issues in Korean Language and Society II: Modern Korean Literature 

This 400-level course introduces students to modern and contemporary Korean literature, films and documentary media centered on three major themes; Korean War trauma, ecology and the environment, and gender and society.  Students engage with short stories, novel excerpts, feature films and documentaries through writing and discussion in small and large groups. Major assignments, including a term essay and a book review, help students sharpen interpretive, expressive and argumentative skills.     

KOREAN 455 - Korean Politics and Society 

Designed for international students who lived and were educated in Korea prior to college and received their schooling in Korean, this seminar-style course develops advanced Korean language skills approrpriate for college-level academic and professional contexts.  Course topics vary by  instructor expertise and typically include intellectual history, arts and literature, and cultural studies. Readings feature academic articles, book-length works, and formal media texts. Students taken an active role in leading discussions and complete a substantial writing project, such as a position paper or literature review.       

Korean Language Table

The Korean Program hosts Korean Language Table sessions eight times each semester, featuring fun, interactive activities like games and quizzes on Korean language and culture. Open to all students interested in Korean—no matter your proficiency level—it’s a great way to learn, connect, and have fun!

Korean Program Party

Each semester, the Korean Program hosts Program Party Night, featuring performances by Korean language students, information about the Korean major and minor, and delicious Korean food. It’s a great chance to learn more about the program, connect with others, and celebrate Korean culture in a fun, welcoming atmosphere.

Holiday Celebrations

The Korean Program collaborates with student groups Kajok and KUSA to promote Korean culture on campus and foster a sense of community among students. Together, we host events celebrating the Lunar New Year in the spring and Chuseok in the fall, where participants learn to paint traditional Korean folk art and enjoy a variety of traditional Korean games.  

Invited Speakers

To broaden students’ understanding of Korea from a humanities perspective, the Korean Program regularly hosts talks featuring renowned scholars and artists who share their insights and experiences. 

Film Screenings

To encourage deeper cultural understanding, the Korean Program presents independent films and documentaries that highlight diverse perspectives rarely represented in popular or commercial cinema.

Video by AMES Student