Korean is the official language of North and South Korea and is spoken by Korean communities around the world; altogether more than 80 million people worldwide speak Korean. Korean is distinguished by a unique indigenous alphabet developed in the fifteenth century by the sage King Sejong. Sophisticated yet easy to learn, the Korean alphabet, or Hangeul, is widely known as “the beautiful script”. At ANU, Korean is taught in a way that balances learning to communicate with developing student’s ability to access the rich cultural resources available in Korean literature, film, culture and society.
The study of Korean gives students unique access to South and North Korea and in depth knowledge of their cultures, histories and social change over time. In an era of rapidly increasing connections between Korea and Australia, knowledge of Korean offers students the possibility to participate in the growing ties between these countries. Studying Korean as a major can also lead to opportunities outside the classroom and students are encouraged to spend time studying in South Korea through a variety of in-country courses including semester and year abroad options.
Learning Outcomes
Communicate confidently and effectively in spoken and written Korean, using grammatically and stylistically appropriate language to a variety of situations
Demonstrate comprehension of linguistic knowledge related to the structure and use of Korean, including basic pragmatic and sociolinguistic aspects;
Demonstrate comprehension of authentic texts such as news broadcasts, magazines, films, and literature by analysing them in proficient and coherent presentations with limited use of a dictionary;
Build the appropriate linguistic competence to respond spontaneously to a wide range of issues in writing and speaking through interviews, oral presentations, discussions, and formal essays;
Recognise divergent cultural viewpoints by describing, contrasting, and comparing one’s own cultural practices and norms with those of Korean culture; and
Describe and analyse cultural practices and social issues in Korea, including in the contexts of history, economy, politics, religion, and contemporary society.
Other Information
Students with previous “language experience or exposure” are required to take a language proficiency assessment to ensure enrolment at the most appropriate level.
Relevant past experience includes:
- Previous study of the language (both formal and informal, for example but not limited to, at school, or, home, or through online activities, etc.)
- Being exposed to the language in childhood via a family member or friend
- Travel or living in a country where the language is spoken
- The language being spoken in your home (even if you do not speak it yourself)
Students who are not sure if they need to take a proficiency assessment should seek advice from the course or language convenor.
Students who intentionally misrepresent their language proficiency level may be investigated under the Academic Misconduct Rule 2015 as having failed to comply with assessment directions and having sought unfair advantage. This may results in a penalty such as reduced grades or failure of the course.
Students are not permitted to enrol in a language course below one that they have already successfully completed, except with permission of the language and/or course convenor.
Areas of Interest
- Asian Languages
- Translation Studies
- Asian Studies
- Asia Pacific Studies
- Language Studies
- Asia-Pacific Studies
- Linguistics
Relevant Degrees
Requirements
This major requires the completion of 48 units, which must include:
6 units from the completion of the following course:
KORE3013 - Korean 6 (6 units)
A minimum of 30 units must come from completion of courses from the following list:
KORE1020 Korean 1 (6 units)
KORE1021 Korean 2 (6 units)
KORE2521 Korean 3 (6 units)
KORE2522 Korean 4 (6 units)
KORE3012 Korean 5 (6 units)
KORE2525 Learning Language Locally: Korea (6-12 units)
KORE3015 Advanced Korean: Film and Society (6 units)
KORE3018 Advanced Korean: Culture and History (6 units)
A maximum of 12 units from the completion of the following list:
ASIA2098 Asian and Pacific Studies Internship (12 units)
ASIA2100 Linguistic Histories in Asia and the Pacific (L) (6 units)
ASIA2103 Language in Asia and the Pacific (L) (6 units)
CHIN2019 Literary Chinese 1 (6 units)
CHIN2021 Literary Chinese 2 (6 units)
LANG3001 Translation across Languages: the translation of literary texts (6 units)*
LANG3002 Translation across Languages: specialised material (6 units)*
* These courses must have a Course Topic of Korean to be included in this major.
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