Korean & Korean Studies
Korean & Korean Studies Program
Korean is the official language of both South Korea (The Republic of Korea) and North Korea (The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea). It is spoken by 72 million people on the Korean peninsula, and another 3 million around the world. Korean is listed as a Critical Language by the US government. Some scholars classify Korean as one of the few “language isolates” in the world—a language that has no clear connection to any other language. Others link it to Japanese and to the Altaic languages, which include Turkish and Mongolian. Korean has a unique alphabet that was invented in the fifteenth century and is still used today.
The structure of Korean is complex but logical, and the formality levels that contribute to this complexity create a type of linguistic and social richness unique to languages like Korean and Japanese. The alphabet is easy to learn—within a matter of hours you can be writing and sounding out Korean words.
About the WLC Major: Korean Emphasis
A major in World Languages and Cultures: Korean includes 21-22 credits in the Korean emphasis, combined with 9 core credits, 6 perspective elective credits, and a 3-credit practicum for a total of 39-40 credits. This comparative approach allows students to gain a depth of knowledge in their chosen emphasis, while also exploring a breadth of topics in global cultural studies.
WLC Major: Korean Emphasis Curriculum Degree Requirements
Total credits required for degree: 39-40 credits
DOWNLOAD WLC MAJOR - KOREAN EMPHASIS WORKSHEET WLC PracticuM OPTIONS
Note that this plan is a prediction of courses but does not guarantee this exact availability of courses. Also note that students with prior language learning experience do not necessarily need to begin at the 1010 level and should visit our Language Placement FAQ page for questions about where to begin.
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.
Korean & Korean Studies Minor
To graduate with a Korean & Korean Studies minor at the University of Utah, you must complete fifteen credits in a combination of required and elective courses. Third- and/or Fourth-year Korean and a Korean culture and literature course are required, for a total of nine credits. Two electives of three credits each complete the required fifteen credits. The required courses are currently:
- Third-Year Korean (1st Semester): KOREA 3060 (With instructor approval, KOREA 3070 may replace this.)
- Advanced Korean Reading and Composition: KOREA 4060 (KOREA 3070 may replace this.)
- Korean Culture through Literature and Film: KOREA 3100 (taught in English)
Note: If your proficiency allows you to skip Third-Year, or you take only KOREA 3070 from the first two bullet points above, you must still make up 3 credits of advanced language from any of the following options: KOREA 3200, 3700, and 4810.
Non-language electives can include most courses that carry a 25% or more Korean component. Some of these are listed in the chart below. For certain courses, you will need the approval of program faculty. For questions about the eligibility of courses not listed below, or of courses taken outside the U, please consult with program faculty.
Students with advanced language skills (e.g., native speakers, heritage speakers, students who have lived for an extended period abroad) should not enroll in first, second, and some third-year courses. If you do not know what your language level is or if you think your situation justifies petitioning for an exception, contact the WLC advisors before enrolling in classes. For pedagogical reasons, the department reserves the right to remove advanced speakers who have not successfully petitioned from classes not appropriate for their language level.
Learning Abroad
Learning abroad is the opportunity to live, study and intern abroad while completing your degree here at the University of Utah. Learning Abroad helps connect you to over 500+ program options in over 50 countries, many of which are great for improving your proficiency in another language. Learn more about Learning Abroad by visiting learningabroad.utah.edu and completing Learning Abroad 101.
To get started, see below for program options for Korean.
For questions, email Learning Abroad at learningabroad@utah.edu, call them at 801-581-5849, or visit in person at Union 159.
Utah Asia Campus
The Utah Asia Campus, about an hour west of Seoul, South Korea, allows you to earn U of U credit and take coursework in English while learning abroad. The Utah Asia Campus is one of four institutions at the Incheon Global Campus (IGC)—a dynamic education model that brings prestigious universities from around the world to one location. At the Utah Asia Campus, you can fulfill general education requirements, and take courses for a range of majors. You can also take courses at other IGC institutions, including Korean language, to supplement your coursework at the UAC.
Exchanges
The U partners with universities around the world to offer you the opportunity to complete coursework in an immersive university environment alongside local students. Coursework can be quite flexible with students oftentimes completing major, minor, and general education requirements. Additionally, the cost of an exchange program is the same as paying U of U resident tuition, which makes exchanges one of our most affordable options!
- Seoul National University
- Sogang University
- Korean Government Scholarship Program and Benefits for Exchange Students - The winners of this scholarship will receive a monthly stipend of around USD $500, as well as reimbursement of round-trip airfare. The nominees for this scholarship will be chosen by Sogang OIA and will be contacted individually. Approximately 8 students are chosen nationally. This is a highly competitive scholarship.
- Sogang Global Scholarship - Students who have applied and been nominated for the Sogang University exchange will have the option to apply for this award that provides a housing fee discount for the on-campus dormitory. Students with financial need are encouraged to apply!
- Sogang KLEC Special Scholarship - The Korean Language Education Center (KLEC) at Sogang University offers a scholarship that provides a 10% discount on tuition to students with a letter of recommendation from a director of Korean language department or his/her Korean language instructor. The application is typically due in early May.
Affiliate Programs
The U partners with external organizations (Affiliates) to expand where you can go and what you can study on a learning abroad program. Affiliates offer programs at study centers, local institutions, or a combination of both in the host country. Programs are commonly structured around a particular theme or topic, such as "Language, Culture, and Society". Program options can also include internships, service learning & community engagement opportunities.
- Korean focused affiliate programs: click here
FLAS Scholarships in Korean
The Foreign Language and Area Studies Scholarship (FLAS) is provided by the Asia Center. For FAQs, application, and other information on the FLAS scholarship, click the button below.
Faculty
Tenure-Line Faculty
Career-Line Faculty
