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IUC Program

Introduction

Inter-University Center for Korean Language Studies at SKKU Advanced Academic Korean

 

  • The Inter-University Center for Korean Language Studies at SKKU (hereafter the IUC or Center) was established as an advanced Korean language training institution for academic researchers, graduate students, and prospective researchers in Korean Studies as well as related professionals.
  • The campus for the Center is located within the SKKU humanities and social sciences campus (Seoul), and is jointly operated by SKKU and the executive committee of the Inter-university Consortium. A core group of North American, Latin American and European Korean programs participate as member universities of the IUC at SKKU, with current co-chairs from UCLA and the University of British Columbia. Harvard University, University of Michigan and University of Southern California are currently committed to membership, and University of Pennsylvania, University of Chicago, Georgetown University, Australian National University, Leiden University, SOAS and University of Sheffield are in the process of negotiating membership. The mission of the Center is to provide intensive high-level Korean language training(including instruction in sinographs, high-level sinographic vocabulary and hanmun, depending on learners’ needs) essential for excellent academic performance in Korean Studies, and to promote the learners’ ability to present research papers, access primary sources, and translate between Korean and their own languages. The Center also aims to contribute to active communication and networking among Korean Studies professionals and institutions at home and abroad.
  • Membership
    • North America : UCLA, Harvard University, Univ. of British Columbia, Univ. of Southern California, Univ. of Chicago, Univ. of Indiana, Univ. of Illinois

 

IUC program
Semester Module Period Structure Structure
Spring  MP1
  • Instruction aimed to build up basic academic Korean vocabulary and improve basic expressive ability
  • Training aimed at enhancing academic writing and presentation ability
  • Intensive course aimed at writing a short research essay(presentation)
8 weeks
MP2 8 weeks
Fall MP3 8 weeks
MP4 8 weeks

An intensive six-week program is provided during the summer recess

 

1) Target Group

We welcome graduate students, researchers, and professionals with high proficiency in English, and whose Korean language proficiency is TOPIK level four or higher, or who have completed four years of post-secondary Korean language courses overseas.

 

2) Purpose
  • To improve the academic Korean language ability of a small number of students (less than 8 per class).
  • To improve reading comprehension of original sources and research materials related to each participant’s areas of study.
  • To raise students’ communication abilities in Korean and facilitate academic exchange with Korean scholars.
  • To improve translation skills between academic Korean and English.

 

3) Areas of Emphasis
  • Improving reading  comprehension

 ​   -  Improving grammar understanding through systematic learning of advanced Korean grammar.

  - Improving advanced vocabulary through: intensive learning of frequently used vocabulary in area of specialization, learning of academic journal structure and vocabulary in selected specialty journals (in areas such as literature, linguistics, history, Asian philosophy, sociology, politics and economics); learning of signographs (한자); learning of Literary Sinitic/ Hanmun

(optional).

  • Improving speaking and listening ability

  - Training through oral presentations on field-specific themes through CBI (Content-Based Instruction).

  - Buddy program with SKKU Humanities graduate students and students of SKKU’s Academy of East Asian Studies.
  - Special lectures on current trends in Korean Studies.

  • Improving writing ability

  - Improving writing ability through weekly writing assignments to be presented in class

  - Presentation of a short research essay in the 7th week and development of a short research essay to be presented in the final week of class

 

4) Student Support Plan  
  • Dormitories are available for a monthly fee of approximately USD $400 during sessions. SKKU International student dormitories are located in Jongno-gu and Seongbuk-gu, in the heart of Seoul. Students who wish to stay in the dormitories during breaks between sessions must make separate arrangements with SKKU.

  • Students may take advantage of Buddy Program, which is designed to help with students’ local adjustment and to foster networking with researchers in Korea.

  • Academic advisors will be matched to each student to support their learning process. A SKKU professor whose field is closest to the student’s interest will take charge of supervision.