Korean Language and Culture

Catalog description

How do language, culture, and society affect one another? Through this course, students are introduced to the Korean language, culture, and society and how they are closely related to one another. We will examine essential and critical roles of the Korean language in Korean culture and society in order to gain a better understanding of the Korean society and an understanding of the Korean language in relation to its culture and society from diverse perspectives. We will examine the relationship by means of literature, history, philosophy, social structure, social/cultural values, interpersonal relationships, and social and regional varieties of Korean. We will explore a series of topics related to sociolinguistic perspective, cultural terms and figurative expressions, linguistic etiquette, language use in the media as a reflection of culture, which will allow students to develop a deeper understanding of fundamental socio-cultural nature of the Korean language (that are distinct from other languages such as English). With readings drawn from media articles, scholarly essays, popular books, and podcasts, a comparative perspective will also be taken to discuss similarities and differences between Korean and English in various aspects covered by the course. Thus, the course will provide richer insight into the Korean language, culture, and society as well as a broad awareness of different cultures and languages.