1. Handbook
  2. Specialisation (Formal)
  3. Korean Studies

Korean Studies

Specialisation (formal)Year: 2024

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Overview

The Diploma in Languages provides students with the opportunity to gain a specialisation in Korean Studies while completing an undergraduate degree at the University of Melbourne. The Diploma is a three-year sequence of first, second- and third-year language study plus electives and may add up to one year to the duration of the student’s degree course.

The Diploma in Languages in Korean Studies is designed to build students’ knowledge and skills in understanding and analysing the Korean language, contemporary Korean history, politics, and society as well as two Koreas in a global context. Korean language subjects are organised in a progressive sequence from Korean 1 to Korean 6. The Diploma of Languages in Korean Studies is designed develop communication skills in Korean by maximising linguistic and cultural knowledge. Non-language elective subjects cover topics such as modern Korean history, Cold-War politics, North Korea and regional security, economic development, social issues, gender studies, migration, and popular culture to broaden students' understanding of Korean society and Korea in a global context. Level 3 electives provide students with real-life opportunities to publish for the international media and collaborate with businesses, governments or the Korean Studies Research Hub, for example through internships. The Korean Studies specialisation provides an excellent preparation for students to enter foreign service, public international relations, business and trade, media and cultural industries.

Intended learning outcomes

On completion of this specialisation, students should be able to:

  • Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of Korea in the humanities, social sciences and languages
  • Communicate effectively and, read, write, listen to and speak Korean language with fluency and appreciate its cultural context
  • Apply critical and analytical skills to the identification of problems in the Korean peninsula in complex changing political and socio-economic contexts
  • Synthesise theories and apply mixed methodologies to determine emerging and relevant research issues within the field of Korean Studies
  • Evaluate the gap between academic knowledge and socio-political cultural reality in the Korean peninsula
  • Work effectively in groups to meet a shared goal with people whose cultural backgrounds differ from their own

Last updated: 3 May 2024