George Mason University

Bachelor of Arts in Foreign Languages with a Concentration in Korean

• Accomplish the proficiency level in Korean equivalent to the “Advanced Low” on the oral proficiency interview (OPI) or “Level 5” on the test of proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) by the end of the program.
• Develop interpretive communication skills to comprehend the gist of authentic written, spoken, and audiovisual texts in the target language.
• Develop interpersonal communication skills to interact and negotiate meaning in speech or in writing effectively in the target language.
• Develop the presentational communication skills to give a formal presentation to the audience in a deferential speech style or to write a term paper in plain speech style in the target language.
• Demonstrate intercultural competence to identify and interpret the cultural products, practices, and perspectives, which supports effective interaction in a variety of cultural contexts in the target language.
• Demonstrate the ability to critically analyze and evaluate the essential Korean culture codes in relation to the traditional and modern values, beliefs, and practices of the Korean people.
• Apply and integrate their linguistic and cultural knowledge to collaborate on a real-world project as a team to accomplish a common goal.
• Apply and reflect on their linguistic and cultural knowledge through field research, study abroad, or internship experiences.
• Integrate their learning and make connections within the discipline and across disciplines to conduct and present their research on a variety of topics relating to Korean studies.

The BA in foreign languages prepares students for teaching careers at the secondary school level, work in government, security, non-profits, international business, and graduate study and research in languages.

Total credits: minimum 120

In addition to the other college and university requirements for a degree, students pursuing this degree complete a 30-credit concentration.

Concentration in Korean

The major in Korean prepares students to perform professional work in the field of translation, international relations, the local and federal government, transnational enterprise, cultural industry, and teaching careers in Korea or at local public schools and to pursue graduate studies in Korean or Korean studies. The concentration in Korean has an emphasis on developing solid Korean language proficiency skills, technical translation skills, and an in-depth understanding of both South and North Korean society and culture.

Students majoring in Korean need to complete a minimum of 30 credits in Korean at the 300 level and above, each with a minimum grade of C. Students are expected to take well-balanced courses including language, culture, literature, and translation. Only two courses (6 credits) taught in English are applied to the major requirements. Students are strongly recommended to participate in study abroad.

The major in Korean can ideally be combined with majors or minors in other disciplines, such as global affairs, international relations, government, journalism, conflict analysis and resolution, philosophy, religion, and education.

Core Courses

Select eight courses from the following. Some courses may be repeated for credit. 24

• KORE 301 Advanced Korean Language and Culture
• KORE 305 Business Korean
• KORE 321 Korean Proficiency through Visual Culture
• KORE 331 Special Topics in Advanced Korean Reading
• KORE 332 Special Topics in Advanced Korean Speaking
• KORE 340 Transformation of Language and Culture in North and South Korea
• KORE 370 Advanced Korean Writing
• KORE 410 Special Topics in Korean Linguistics
• KORE 440 Special Topics in Translation of Korean
• KORE 450 Korean Cultural Studies
• KORE 490 Internship in Korean Studies

Electives

Select two courses taught in English on Korean subject matter from the following: 6

• KORE 300 Korean Culture and Society
• KORE 310 Traditional Korean Literature in Translation
• KORE 311 Modern Korean Literature in Translation (Mason Core)
• KORE 320 Korean Popular Culture in a Global World
• KORE 325 Major North and South Korean Writers
• KORE 385 Introduction to Korean Linguistics
• GOVT 333 Government and Politics of Asia
• GOVT 433 Political Economy of East Asia
• RELI 315 Buddhism (Mason Core)
• RELI 317 Daoism
• RELI 318 Korean Philosophy and Religions

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