Located in the scenic Gwanak district of Seoul, Kyung Hee University offers a supportive academic environment and stateoftheart facilities. The KL&C Department benefits from proximity to museums, historic sites, and a vibrant downtown, providing students with ample opportunities for fieldwork and community engagement.
Overview
The Department of Korean Language and Culture (KL&C) at Kyung Hee University is dedicated to preserving, studying, and promoting Koreas rich linguistic heritage and cultural traditions. Established in 1999, the department has grown into a vibrant hub for interdisciplinary scholarship, combining linguistics, literature, history, philosophy, and contemporary media studies. Its mission is to foster critical understanding of Korean language evolution, cultural expressions, and their global significance.
Academic Programs
The department provides a comprehensive curriculum at both undergraduate and graduate levels.
Undergraduate (BA) Korean Language and Culture
- Core courses in phonetics, syntax, semantics, and sociolinguistics.
- Survey of Korean literary history from the Three Kingdoms period to contemporary fiction.
- Courses on traditional arts (e.g., hanbok design, taekwondo, tea ceremony).
- Electives in film studies, Kpop culture, digital media, and translation.
- Capstone project integrating language analysis with cultural research.
Graduate Programs
Master of Arts (MA) Offered in two tracks: Language Research and Cultural Studies. Students can specialize in areas such as Korean dialectology, language policy, cultural heritage management, or modern Korean popular culture.
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Emphasizes original research that contributes to the scholarly understanding of Korean language or culture. Recent dissertations have explored topics ranging from the impact of digital platforms on dialect preservation to the role of Korean literary translation in world literature.
Joint and Exchange Programs
The department participates in exchange agreements with universities across North America, Europe, and Asia. Students may spend a semester abroad while taking courses taught in English, focusing on comparative linguistics or transnational cultural studies.
Research & Centers
The department houses several research institutes that promote interdisciplinary collaboration:
- Korean Language Institute (KLI) Dedicated to corpus development, language documentation, and computational linguistics.
- Center for Korean Cultural Heritage (CKCH) Focuses on preservation of intangible cultural assets and community outreach projects.
- Institute for Korean Studies in the Global Context (IKSGC) Examines Koreas cultural influence abroad, especially through media and diaspora communities.
Recent projects include a digitized archive of regional dialect recordings and a collaborative exhibition on Hanbok in Contemporary Fashion with the National Museum of Korea.
Faculty
The department boasts a diverse team of scholars whose expertise spans classical Korean literature, modern sociolinguistics, cultural anthropology, and media studies. Notable faculty members include:
- Prof. Minsoo Lee Specialist in historical phonology and author of The Evolution of Hangul.
- Prof. Hyejin Park Leading researcher on Korean diaspora communities in the United States.
- Prof. Sangwoo Kim Media studies professor focusing on Kdrama narrative structures.
- Prof. Eunhee Choi Cultural heritage expert advocating for communitybased preservation initiatives.
All faculty members are active publishers and regularly present at international conferences, ensuring that students receive education grounded in cuttingedge scholarship.
Student Life
Beyond academics, KL&C offers a vibrant student community:
- Korean Language Club Hosts language exchange nights and conversation cafs.
- Culture Workshop Series Handson classes on traditional crafts, calligraphy, and folk music.
- Study Abroad & Field Trips Organized visits to historic sites such as Gyeongju, Jeju Island, and the Demilitarized Zone.
- Publication Opportunities Student-run journal Korean Insight publishes research articles and creative works.
Students benefit from scholarships, research grants, and mentorship programs that support both academic and professional development.
Admissions
Prospective undergraduate applicants must meet Kyung Hee University's general admission criteria and select the Korean Language and Culture major during application. Required documents include:
- High school transcript (or equivalent).
- Korean language proficiency test (TOPIK) minimum Level 3 for nonnative speakers.
- Personal statement describing interest in Korean language and culture.
- Two letters of recommendation.
Graduate applicants are evaluated based on prior academic performance, research proposal, and language ability. International students may apply in Englishtaught tracks, provided they submit TOEFL or IELTS scores.
Contact Information
Department of Korean Language and Culture
Kyung Hee University
26 Kyungheedae-ro, Dongdaemun-gu, Seoul 02447, Korea
Phone: +82-2-2290-1234
Email: klc@khu.ac.kr
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