print version

Korean and Korean studies – Faculty of Arts

Offered by the School of Languages Cultures and Linguistics

Campus availability: Clayton

Relevant courses

• Diploma in Arts (Asian Studies)
• Diploma in Arts (Korean Studies)
• Diploma in Languages (Korean)
• Bachelor of Arts (and associated double degrees)
• Bachelor of Arts (Global)
• Bachelor of Arts (Languages)
• Bachelor of Letters

The Korean studies program is designed for students who wish to acquire Korean language skills and understand Korean culture and society. The units offered are useful to students who aspire to a professional career in business or government, communication, education and other fields.

Korean language teaching incorporates interactive and online resources to enhance learning and bring Korean culture to the classroom. Introducing Hangul, a phonetic writing system, enables students to type in Korean from the beginner level. Higher-level students are strongly encouraged to engage in online discussions in Korean.

Korean language can be studied from the beginner level to the advanced level. The focus is on enabling students to communicate in Korean in a broad range of situations, and the use of Korean in various genre areas such as business, journalism, science, law, tourism. Socio-cultural aspects in these areas are also explored.

Students may complete a major sequence and honours in Korean studies at the Clayton campus. A minor sequence in Korean studies is also available, combining units offered by the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics with units offered by other schools. Combined honours may be taken in the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics and another discipline.

There are two entry points in Korean language:

(a.) for those who have no previous knowledge of Korean

(b.) for those who have completed VCE Korean or its equivalent.

Placement tests are required for those students who intend to enrol in the higher level. The Korean language program will conduct the test.

Korean Studies has four entry points depending on your starting proficiency in Korean. The Korean language program will conduct a placement test for those students who intend to enrol above Entry point 1.

Non-Arts students

In some non-Arts courses students are able to take Arts electives and count them towards their course.

Students who decide that they want to study a language as part of their non-Arts course should:

• discuss with their home faculty whether they are allowed to include language units as part of their course
• check with their home faculty how many units/credit points they may study and at what year-level
• select the appropriate language units to enrol in.

NOTE: Because some students will be unable to study language as first-year level units, the School of Languages, Cultures and Linguistics have created second-year level codes to enable non-Arts students to complete the equivalent of a first-year sequence in their chosen language. Students wishing to enrol in these units, must discuss any future enrolment with the relevant language program before going any further.

Right of school to determine entry level and approve accelerated enrolment

The Korean program convenor retains the right to determine the proper proficiency level for any particular student. Students are not permitted to accelerate their enrolment without first consulting the program convenor.

Language study abroad

All students are strongly encouraged to participate in the Language Study Abroad Program in Korea. Korean studies has exchange agreements with three prominent universities (Korea University, Seoul National University and Yonsei University). While each exchange has its own features, collectively they provide a wide range of opportunities for students to study in Korea. Students can choose to study in-country units in Semesters one or two. For detailed information see the Korean web page. The credit arrangements vary and need to be clearly verified with the coordinator before a student can be assured of receiving credit.

Grants for study are available through Monash Abroad, to whom applications should be addressed. Third and fourth-year students may also apply for a Korean Government scholarship.

NOTE: Depending on the teaching institution, Korean study abroad units may be CSP-liable or only available on a fee-paying basis.

For a full list of units see below.

Sequences

First-year sequence

A sequence is normally a first semester first-year level unit which is followed by a second semester first-year level unit in the same discipline.

Minor sequence

Students complete a standard minor chosen from one of the following options:

• 24 points of core language units
• 18 points of core language units plus one second-year level elective chosen from units below.

Major sequence

Students complete a standard major consisting of six core language units as listed below and also including two electives chosen from units below.

NOTE: Students may replace some of their core language units with alternate intensive in-country units up to 24 points or students can choose language study abroad units as electives. You must obtain written approval from the Korean Studies Program before enrolling. Contact the program as early as possible for further details on study abroad possibilities.

Major sequences - choosing the right entry point for you

Students wishing to undertake Korean have the option of starting in one of four entry points. Placement tests are required for all but Entry point 1. The following sequences are provided as guides only. There are several ways to structure your Korean major, however if a student wishes to accelerate through the proficiency levels either by taking study abroad units or because language acquisition results allow, they must consult with the language program before enrolling.

Basic major sequences

Basic Korean major, entry point 1

For students with no prior knowledge of Korean.

• KOR1010 Korean 1
• KOR1020 Korean 2
• KOR2030 Korean 3
• KOR2040 Korean 4
• KOR3050 Korean 5
• KOR3060 Korean 6
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one second level elective from the list of electives below

Basic Korean major, entry point 2

For students who have completed the second language stream of VCE Korean or its equivalent - placement test necessary.

• KOR1030 Korean 3
• KOR1040 Korean 4
• KOR2050 Korean 5
• KOR2060 Korean 6
• KOR3450 English to Korean translation 1
• KOR3460 English to Korean translation 2
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advanced major sequences

Advanced Korean major, entry point 3

For students who have completed the first language stream of VCE Korean or its equivalent - placement test necessary.

• KOR1050 Korean 5
• KOR1060 Korean 6
• KOR3450 English to Korean translation 1
• KOR3460 English to Korean translation 2
• KOR3470 Korean to English translation 1
• KOR3480 Korean to English translation 2
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• one third year level elective from the list of electives below

Advanced Korean major, entry point 4

For students who have completed a part of their schooling in the Korean educational system, or its equivalent - placement test necessary.

• KOR3450 English to Korean translation 1
• KOR3460 English to Korean translation 2
• KOR3470 Korean to English translation 1
• KOR3480 Korean to English translation 2
• one second or third year level elective from the list of electives below
• three third year level electives from the list of electives below

Units

Language Study Abroad units

• KOR2990 Language study in Korea, 6 points
• KOR2991 Language study in Korea, 12 points
• KOR2992 Language study in Korea, 24 points
• KOR3990 Language study in Korea, 6 points
• KOR3991 Language study in Korea, 12 points
• KOR3992 Language study in Korea, 24 points

Elective units

• Asian studies units

Electives from other disciplines with substantial Korean studies content may be approved by the Korean program convenor.

Contact details

Enquiries (Clayton): Room S423, fourth floor, South Wing, Menzies building

Telephone +61 3 9905 2281 or +61 3 9905 2223

Email lcl.enquiries@arts.monash.edu.au

Visit http://www.arts.monash.edu.au/lcl