Introduction to Korean Linguistics

Catalog description

This course aims to develop linguistic knowledge about the Korean language. The course will focus on understanding the Korean language in terms of history, the writing system, lexicon, phonology, morphology, syntax, dialects, sociolinguistics, and pragmatics. Students will be introduced to essential features of the Korean language, focusing on its general and salient aspects of the language in consideration of general linguistics. The primary objective of the course is to develop a deep understanding of the Korean language and to be able to analyze some of the linguistic phenomena that are unique to the Korean language. Students will be engaged in hands-on analysis of language data in major topic area in linguistics. This course will offer valuable insights into various linguistic aspects of the Korean language, by providing not only essential background knowledge but also an extensive survey and descriptions of the Korean language to the students learning Korean and the students who are interested in particularly East Asian linguistics. The course is thus suitable primarily for students who are learning (or who have learned) Korean and would like to know more about the language and connect with it on a more academic level. Secondly, it is suitable for students interested in East Asian linguistics who would like to pursue specialization in Korean or East Asian languages. Some linguistic background will be helpful, although it is not required.