Korean Language Program
The University of Kansas offers Korean through the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures (EALC).
Why Study Korean?
Korean is spoken not only by citizens of the Korean peninsula and members of the Korean diaspora, but recently also by a growing number of non-Koreans for various purposes. Korea is a relatively small country, only slightly larger than Kansas, but its population, South and North combined, is twenty-times that of Kansas. Korean is the eleventh most popular language on the globe. Spoken Korean has served the native population for all colloquial purposes for several thousand years. Although the Korean vernacular script known as han’gŭl (great writing) was invented in 1446, it has enjoyed wide-spread popularity for only about a century. Han’gŭl is easy to master, which contributes to the nearly 100% literacy among Korean citizens. While more than half of the Korean vocabulary came originally from Chinese, the structure and grammar of the language are similar to Japanese.
KU is the only institution in Kansas offering elementary to advanced Korean language courses.
Knowledge of Korean language and culture is an asset in a wide range of careers. Students taking Korean can also apply for scholarships for language study, including FLAS Fellowships.
Available Courses
KU offers elementary through advanced coursework in Korean. See all courses taught at KU below, or check out our list of what's offered for the current semester. For placement information visit the School of Languages, Literatures and Cultures.
- KOR 104 Elementary Korean I
- Five hours of class and two hours of drill in the spoken language each week. Grammar and readings in selected texts. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- KOR 108 Elementary Korean II
- Continuation of KOR 104. Prerequisite: KOR 104. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Yun, Kyoim
TuTh 01:00-02:15 PM WES 1005 - LAWRENCE5 41846 LBN Shin, Seulgi
MWF 10:00-10:50 AM MS 104 - LAWRENCE5 41848 LBN Hwang, Inje
MWF 12:00-12:50 PM WES 4014 - LAWRENCE5 41847 LBN Hwang, Inje
MWF 01:00-01:50 PM WES 4010 - LAWRENCE5 51845 - KOR 177 First Year Seminar: _____
- A limited-enrollment, seminar course for first-time freshmen, addressing current issues in Korean. Course is designed to meet the critical thinking learning outcome of the KU Core. First-Year Seminar topics are coordinated and approved by the Office of First-Year Experience. Prerequisite: First-time freshman status. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- KOR 204 Intermediate Korean I
- Five hours of class and two hours of spoken drill. Readings in selected texts in modern Korean. Prerequisite: KOR 108 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- KOR 208 Intermediate Korean II
- Continuation of KOR 204. Prerequisite: KOR 204. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Lee, Ji Yeon
TuTh 01:00-02:15 PM WES 4074 - LAWRENCE5 41849 LBN Yoon, Jeongwon
MWF 10:00-10:50 AM WES 1003 - LAWRENCE5 41850 LBN Yoon, Jeongwon
MWF 01:00-01:50 PM WES 4014 - LAWRENCE5 51149 - KOR 498 Directed Readings in Korean
- Readings in Korean on a subject selected by a student with the advice and direction of the instructor. Individual meetings and reports. Prerequisite: Consent of instructor. IND.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # IND Lee, Ji Yeon
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 48261 IND Yun, Kyoim
APPT- KULC APPT - LAWRENCE1-4 56743 - KOR 504 Advanced Modern Korean I
- Readings in and discussion of selected modern Korean texts on various topics: history, literature, society, and language. Prerequisite: KOR 208 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- KOR 508 Advanced Modern Korean II
- Readings and analysis of modern or contemporary texts from various fields. Includes oral discussion and written essays. Prerequisite: KOR 504 or equivalent. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Lee, Ji Yeon
MWF 09:00-09:50 AM WES 4068 - LAWRENCE5 45714 LBN So, Ju Hyun
TuTh 09:30-10:45 AM WES 4019 - LAWRENCE5 56305 - KOR 562 Modern Korean Texts I
- Readings and analysis of modern or contemporary texts from various fields. Includes oral discussion and written essays. Prerequisite: KOR 508 or equivalent. LEC.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
- KOR 564 Modern Korean Texts II
- Continuation of KOR 562. Reading and analysis of modern or contemporary texts from various fields. Includes oral discussion and written essays. Prerequisite: KOR 562 or equivalent. LEC.
Spring 2020 Type Time/Place and Instructor Credit Hours Class # LEC Lee, Ji Yeon
TuTh 09:30-10:45 AM WES 4010 - LAWRENCE3 52350 - KOR 598 Readings in: _____
- Students will read selections from materials on a given topic or topics. May be repeated for credit. Prerequisite: KOR 508 or permission of instructor. IND.
The class is not offered for the Spring 2020 semester.
Study Abroad
KU offers opportunities to study abroad in South Korea. Some of these programs have classes taught in English, while others are opportunities for advanced language study.
Degrees
Korean language courses can be a part of many degree programs, whether used to fulfill a language requirement, or completing a major, minor or graduate degree focused on East Asia. Here are a few degree programs students frequently combine with Korean language study, but talk to your academic advisor to explore all your options.
- Many students who study Korean choose to complete a major, minor, or graduate degree with the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures. The Center for East Asian Studies also offers an M.A. in Contemporary East Asian Studies.
- Many other degree programs within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences offer significant content on Korea, and also require foreign language study, which can be met with Korean. For more information, look at current degree requirements and course offerings in Anthropology, Art History, Geography, Global and International Studies, History, Political Science, Religious Studies and Sociology.
- The KU School of Business offers a concentration in International Business which can include substantial content on East Asian language, culture and business.
- For Law students, KU offers a joint degree in Law and East Asian Languages and Cultures.
Career Planning
- The KU Career Center has online resources for exploring career paths for different majors. Check out the specifics for East Asian Languages and Cultures, or look at those for other majors (including those listed above.)
- KU students can also sign up for a free account with My World Abroad, which has extensive resources on preparing for an international career, including career options, and job search tips.
