Bachelor and Master of Arts Degrees in Korea Studies

 

Program Description

The University of Washington is one of the few places in the United States which offers undergraduate and graduate training in Korean studies in a variety of disciplines. Courses are offered in Korean language, history, and society. The language program offers three full years of instruction in the modern language and in advanced reading. The history courses examine the full range of the Korean experience, from the origins of the Korean people in the archaeological record to contemporary times. Courses on Korean history include the period under Japanese colonial rule in the first half of the twentieth century, the liberation of Korea after 1945, the Korean War, and the political, economic, and social development of both South Korea and North Korea. The program of course offerings is supplemented by visiting professors from political science, economics and economic development, folklore, and literature.

The objective of the program is to provide students with a broad background which will be of use to them in a variety of professions, such as teaching, business and government. Through this program, students can prepare for graduate work in Asian studies, or in such disciplines as anthropology, political science, comparative literature, sociology, and history.

The program emphasizes the study of Korea in the context of East Asian and Asian civilization and the modern world economy, not simply as a single country in isolation from its neighbors. Students are encouraged to take related courses on China, on Japan, and in international studies, so that they will emerge from their experience at the University with comprehensive training. The B.A. degree is designed as preparation for graduate work in a discipline department or as a terminal degree for work in business, government, journalism, secondary school teaching, or similar career activity.

[More information about our BA degree]     [More information about our MA degree]

Prospective graduate students contact Paula Milligan, Graduate Program Assistant, Jackson School Office of Student Services, at milligan@u.washington.edu for questions about the graduate program, application procedures and status, examination scores, and transcripts.

Prospective undergraduates may contact Jim Donnen, the Undergraduate Advisor for Asian Studies at jsisadv@u.washington.edu

 

Visiting Scholar Program

 

The Center for Korea Studies accepts ten to twelve scholars annually to conduct research at the University of Washington. Visiting Scholars are encouraged to use the extensive collections of the University of Washington library system and other university research facilities, and to meet and work with the faculty of the Jackson School for International Studies and the university in general. The Visiting Scholar Program provides an excellent opportunity to join in the academic life of the university community as well as to experience life in the diverse communities of Seattle and the Pacific Northwest.

Visiting Scholars are those who have been granted leave and financial support to pursue research while they continue full-time employment at their home institution. Such scholars may visit the University of Washington for a period of six months to one year, for the purpose of research and interaction with students and scholars on campus. The Center for Korea Studies has no office space to offer, but can sponsor a limited number of visas and provide for access to University of Washington research and recreational facilities. Visiting Scholars are strongly encouraged to both attend and present their research at Center of Korea Studies colloquia offered throughout the academic year.

Resources for prospective and current visiting scholars:

시애틀 방문학자 모임 UW Housing Services
UW Recreational Sports
 Assigned Carrels and Study Rooms
Commuter Services  UW Car Rental Services

 

Application Process

In recent years demand has exceeded our capacity and we have had to limit the number we accept. We now evaluate applications only four times a year in December, March, June and September. Scholars who wish to apply for visiting status should provide us with a CV, an affidavit of support from their institution, and a plan of study. Material should be sent to:

Center for Korea Studies
Jackson School of International Studies
Box 353650
University of Washington
Seattle, WA 98195

or emailed to uwcks@u.washington.edu

Applications need to be received by December 10, March 10, June 10 or September 10 for the relevant competition. Scholars should plan to apply a minimum of three months before they would like to arrive. Evaluation will take several weeks.

 

Fees

If accepted, each visiting scholar is assessed a fee depending on their sponsoring institution's category.  Fees must be paid in full before the scholar's visa can be processed.  Institutions and the visiting scholar fees are categorized as follows:

Visiting Scholars from Academic Institutions: The Center for Korea Studies will assess a fee of $2,000 per year to Visiting Scholars who possess a PhD and hold a teaching or research position at an academic institution (university, graduate school) before the visa application can be processed.

Visiting Scholars from Non-academic institutions: The Center for Korea Studies will assess a fee of $8,000 per year to Visiting Scholars from non-academic institutions (government institutions) before the visa application can be processed.

Visiting Scholars from financial institutions: The Center for Korea Studies will assess a fee of $10,000 per year to Visiting Scholars from financial institutions.

Brain Korea Program: The Center for Korea Studies will assess a fee of $1,000 per year to Visiting Scholars participating in the Brain Korea Program.

Fees must be payed before a visa can be issued, and fees may not be prorated for periods of less than one year.

 

University of Washington Center for Korea Studies Colloquia Series

 

The Center for Korea Studies sponsors an annual colloquia series in which invited scholars in the field of Korea Studies present their current research projects. Speakers typically include faculty of the University of Washington, scholars invited from other universities, and Visiting Scholars.  Keep your eye on the 'What's happening at the Center for Korea Studies' section of the homepage for upcoming colloquia!

 

Teacher's Conference on Korean Studies

 

The Center for Korea Studies organizes and host and annual Teachers’ Workshop in Korea Studies for K-12 educators in Washington State who wish to integrate Korea-relate topics into their curricula. Workshop participants attend lectures on Korean culture, history, and society as well as grade-specific teaching materials. The first workshop was held in April 2007 and was attended by more than 100 teachers from school districts throughout the state.

Registration Form

 

University of Washington Korean Language Program

 

The University of Washington Korean Language Program recognizes and celebrates Korean heritage in our community.  It provides language courses appropriate for students who have home or formal Korean language background as well as for novice students.

 

University of Washington East Asia Studies Library

 

A nucleus Korean language collection was formed during the Second World War years as an outgrowth of the U.S. Army Specialized Training Program for Korean language instruction. Built on that foundation, the collection has since become the second largest among universities in North America running parallel with the very active Korean program at University of Washington, which boasts one of the oldest programs in the States.

Check out the Korea Studies Subject Guide, or email Hyokyoung Yi, our resident Korea Studies Librarian!

 

University of Washington East Asia Center and East Asia Resource Center


The East Asia Center at the University of Washington promotes teaching and learning about China, Japan, and Korea across disciplines, across campus, and in the community. Founded in 1964, it is funded by the U.S. Department of Education and designated as a National Resource Center. The center partners with the East Asia Resource Center, the University of Washington’s center for the teaching of East Asia studies in K-12 schools, and works in cooperation with the China, Japan, and Korea Programs in the Jackson School, as well as with other units on campus concerned with East Asian teaching and research, in particular, the Department of Asian Languages and Literatures, and the East Asia Library.

Center for Korean Studies