Korean
Korean (한국어/조선말) is the official language of South Korea and North Korea. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. Approximately 78 million people speak Korean worldwide. For over a millennium, Korean was written with adapted Chinese characters called hanja, complemented by phonetic systems like hyangchal, gugyeol, and idu. In the 15th century, a national writing system called hangul was commissioned by Sejong the Great, but it only came into widespread use in the 20th century, because of the yangban aristocracy's preference for hanja.
The genealogical classification of the Korean language is debated by a number of historical linguists. Most classify it as a language isolate while a few consider it to be in the controversial Altaic language family. The Korean language is agglutinative in its morphology and SOV in its syntax.
Source: Wikipedia
Course Offerings
KORN 0103 Spoken Korean I
KORN 0105 Spoken Korean II
KORN 0560 Business Communication in Korean
KORN 0860 Business Korean I
KORN 0870 Current Korean Media I
KORN 0875 Current Korean Media II
KORN 1070 Advanced Topics in Korean Language and Culture I
View course descriptions. Additional Korean language courses are offered by the Korean Language Program in the Department of East Asian Languages & Civilizations.
Instructors
Haewon ChoCourse Schedule
| Title | Instructors | Location | Time | Description | Cross listings | Fulfills | Registration notes | Syllabus | Syllabus URL | Term | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KORN 0105-680 | Spoken Korean II | Siwon Lee | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | A continuation of Spoken Korean I, this course aims to further develop oral communication skills by exploring a variety of topics, such as shopping, hobbies, family and future plans. Class activities include interactive tasks, role plays and presentations. Cultural topics will also be incorporated in order to further deepen students' understanding of Korea's culture and language. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to comprehend and carry on basic conversations; exchange information on a variety of topics in the past, present and future tenses; and achieve a proficiency level of Novice High based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency scale. NOTE: This course does not count toward the language requirement or the EALC major or minor. Offered through the Penn Language Center. | KORN5105680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 0678-680 | Medical Communication in Korean | Haewon Cho | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Medical Communication in Korean aims to develop students’ essential communication skills, intercultural competence, and knowledge to successfully engage in Korean for medical purposes. This task-supported curriculum content includes (1) fundamental language skills necessary to perform various tasks in the medical field and (2) knowledge and competence in Korea’s medical professions, industry, and culture. Students will further hone their interactional and intercultural competence by engaging in a variety of assignments, such as role plays, presentations, and a project. Topics include basic medical terminology related to symptoms and treatments; essential communication strategies regarding patient care and consultations; and associated topics such as traditional Korean medicine and remedies, medical tourism in Korea, etc. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to obtain the Intermediate High level of proficiency based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency scale. | KORN5678680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 0860-680 | Business Korean I | Haewon Cho | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Business Korean I is designed for students who want to sharpen their Korean language skills to the advanced-high level by focusing their study on Korean business and economy. Students will learn business/economy-related terminologies and concepts. They will also take an in-depth look at the issues related to business practices and environment in Korea. Students will improve and refine their language skills through actively participating in discussions, research, and presentations. | KORN5860680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 0875-680 | Current Korean Media II | Hyobin Won | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Current Korean Media II aims at a deeper understanding of the contemporary Korean society, through critical analysis of language use and viewpoints expressed in various types of media including the Internet, TV, films, magazines and newspapers. This course will focus on cultural products and practices such as popular culture, media culture, and entertainment. By catering to the needs and interests of individual learners of Korean, the course will provide them with a rich opportunity to relate what they have learned in previous Korean language courses to the larger context of Korean culture and society. In addition, students will have an in-depth discussion on topics related to Korean society as well as Penn news. This course is conducted entirely in Korean. | KORN5875680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 5105-680 | Spoken Korean II | Siwon Lee | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | A continuation of Spoken Korean I, this course aims to further develop oral communication skills by exploring a variety of topics, such as shopping, hobbies, family and future plans. Class activities include interactive tasks, role plays and presentations. Cultural topics will also be incorporated in order to further deepen students' understanding of Korea's culture and language. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to comprehend and carry on basic conversations; exchange information on a variety of topics in the past, present and future tenses; and achieve a proficiency level of Novice High based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency scale. NOTE: This course does not count toward the language requirement or the EALC major or minor. Offered through the Penn Language Center. | KORN0105680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 5678-680 | Medical Communication in Korean | Haewon Cho | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Medical Communication in Korean aims to develop students’ essential communication skills, intercultural competence, and knowledge to successfully engage in Korean for medical purposes. This task-supported curriculum content includes (1) fundamental language skills necessary to perform various tasks in the medical field and (2) knowledge and competence in Korea’s medical professions, industry, and culture. Students will further hone their interactional and intercultural competence by engaging in a variety of assignments, such as role plays, presentations, and a project. Topics include basic medical terminology related to symptoms and treatments; essential communication strategies regarding patient care and consultations; and associated topics such as traditional Korean medicine and remedies, medical tourism in Korea, etc. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to obtain the Intermediate High level of proficiency based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency scale. | KORN0678680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 5860-680 | Business Korean I | Haewon Cho | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Business Korean I is designed for students who want to sharpen their Korean language skills to the advanced-high level by focusing their study on Korean business and economy. Students will learn business/economy-related terminologies and concepts. They will also take an in-depth look at the issues related to business practices and environment in Korea. Students will improve and refine their language skills through actively participating in discussions, research, and presentations. | KORN0860680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 5875-680 | Current Korean Media II | Hyobin Won | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Current Korean Media II aims at a deeper understanding of the contemporary Korean society, through critical analysis of language use and viewpoints expressed in various types of media including the Internet, TV, films, magazines and newspapers. This course will focus on cultural products and practices such as popular culture, media culture, and entertainment. By catering to the needs and interests of individual learners of Korean, the course will provide them with a rich opportunity to relate what they have learned in previous Korean language courses to the larger context of Korean culture and society. In addition, students will have an in-depth discussion on topics related to Korean society as well as Penn news. This course is conducted entirely in Korean. | KORN0875680 | 2025A | ||||||
| KORN 0103-680 | Spoken Korean I | Haewon Cho | COHN 237 | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | This class is for those that have little to no knowledge of Korean. The main focus is the development of Korean communication skills by exploring a variety of everyday topics beyond school settings. Students will improve their Korean communication skills by engaging in a variety of interactive activities, role plays, and presentations. Class topics include, but are not limited to, introducing oneself, describing one's surroundings, discussing daily activities and past events, talking about common objects and people, etc. We will also introduce cultural topics in order to deepen students' understanding of Korea's culture and language. NOTE: This course does not count toward the language requirement or the EALC major or minor. Offered through the Penn Language Center. | KORN5103680 | https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202430&c=KORN0103680 | 2024C | ||||
| KORN 0560-680 | Business Communication in Korean | Haewon Cho | WILL 204 | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. This course is designed to help students improve their Korean language proficiency by learning essential communication skills necessary to engage in business in Korea. Students will also develop their knowledge of and competence in Korean business culture and practice. The course objectives include: (1) to learn essential business terms, advanced grammar structures and communication strategies in business transactions; (2) to learn Korean business customs and culture, work norms, and business etiquette that students need to successfully communicate in a Korean business context. Topics include job application, business correspondence and reports, discussion and presentation in business meetings, communication styles and strategies in business contexts, current business culture, etc. | KORN5560680 | https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202430&c=KORN0560680 | 2024C | ||||
| KORN 0870-680 | Current Korean Media I | Hyobin Won | WILL 23 | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. This course aims to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary Korean society through critical analysis of language use and viewpoints expressed in various types of media including the internet, TV, films and newspapers. This course will provide students with a rich opportunity to relate what they have learned in previous Korean language courses to the larger context of Korean culture and society. The course is conducted entirely in Korean and utilizes both written and audiovisual materials to develop students' reading/listening comprehension and critical thinking. The course also involves in-depth class discussion and writing short compositions to enhance conversation and writing skills. | KORN5870680 | https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202430&c=KORN0870680 | 2024C | ||||
| KORN 1070-680 | Advanced Topics in Korean Language and Culture I | Hyesun Jang | WILL 217 | CANCELED | This class aims to expand and deepen students’ understanding and knowledge related to various aspects of the Korean language and culture. Students will consolidate and further sophisticate their expertise in the Korean language and culture to achieve professional language proficiency while engaging in discussions, debates, mini-research, and presentations on a wide range of topics covering the Korean language, contemporary life, and culture. Special emphasis will be given to how the Korean language is structured, how cultural practices are reflected in the way language is used, and how interpersonal relationships are built and negotiated through the use of language. As such, the course is organized into the following two parts: (1) Analysis of the Korean language in various genres and media sources and (2) Examination of critical issues related to the Korean language and culture and development of one’s own stance on the given issues. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to reach the Advanced High Level (according to the ACTFL’s proficiency guidelines). | KORN6070680 | https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202430&c=KORN1070680 | 2024C | ||||
| KORN 5103-680 | Spoken Korean I | Haewon Cho | COHN 237 | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | This class is for those that have little to no knowledge of Korean. The main focus is the development of Korean communication skills by exploring a variety of everyday topics beyond school settings. Students will improve their Korean communication skills by engaging in a variety of interactive activities, role plays, and presentations. Class topics include, but are not limited to, introducing oneself, describing one's surroundings, discussing daily activities and past events, talking about common objects and people, etc. We will also introduce cultural topics in order to deepen students' understanding of Korea's culture and language. NOTE: This course does not count toward the language requirement or the EALC major or minor. Offered through the Penn Language Center. | KORN0103680 | 2024C | |||||
| KORN 5560-680 | Business Communication in Korean | Haewon Cho | WILL 204 | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. This course is designed to help students improve their Korean language proficiency by learning essential communication skills necessary to engage in business in Korea. Students will also develop their knowledge of and competence in Korean business culture and practice. The course objectives include: (1) to learn essential business terms, advanced grammar structures and communication strategies in business transactions; (2) to learn Korean business customs and culture, work norms, and business etiquette that students need to successfully communicate in a Korean business context. Topics include job application, business correspondence and reports, discussion and presentation in business meetings, communication styles and strategies in business contexts, current business culture, etc. | KORN0560680 | 2024C | |||||
| KORN 5870-680 | Current Korean Media I | Hyobin Won | WILL 23 | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. This course aims to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary Korean society through critical analysis of language use and viewpoints expressed in various types of media including the internet, TV, films and newspapers. This course will provide students with a rich opportunity to relate what they have learned in previous Korean language courses to the larger context of Korean culture and society. The course is conducted entirely in Korean and utilizes both written and audiovisual materials to develop students' reading/listening comprehension and critical thinking. The course also involves in-depth class discussion and writing short compositions to enhance conversation and writing skills. | KORN0870680 | 2024C | |||||
| KORN 6070-680 | Advanced Topics in Korean Language and Culture I | Hyesun Jang | WILL 217 | CANCELED | This class aims to expand and deepen students’ understanding and knowledge related to various aspects of the Korean language and culture. Students will consolidate and further sophisticate their expertise in the Korean language and culture to achieve professional language proficiency while engaging in discussions, debates, mini-research, and presentations on a wide range of topics covering the Korean language, contemporary life, and culture. Special emphasis will be given to how the Korean language is structured, how cultural practices are reflected in the way language is used, and how interpersonal relationships are built and negotiated through the use of language. As such, the course is organized into the following two parts: (1) Analysis of the Korean language in various genres and media sources and (2) Examination of critical issues related to the Korean language and culture and development of one’s own stance on the given issues. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to reach the Advanced High Level (according to the ACTFL’s proficiency guidelines). | KORN1070680 | https://coursesintouch.apps.upenn.edu/cpr/jsp/fast.do?webService=syll&t=202430&c=KORN6070680 | 2024C | ||||
| KORN 0105-680 | Spoken Korean II | Siwon Lee | CANCELED | A continuation of Spoken Korean I, this course aims to further develop oral communication skills by exploring a variety of topics, such as shopping, hobbies, family and future plans. Class activities include interactive tasks, role plays and presentations. Cultural topics will also be incorporated in order to further deepen students' understanding of Korea's culture and language. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to comprehend and carry on basic conversations; exchange information on a variety of topics in the past, present and future tenses; and achieve a proficiency level of Novice High based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency scale. NOTE: This course does not count toward the language requirement or the EALC major or minor. Offered through the Penn Language Center. | 2024A | |||||||
| KORN 0678-680 | Medical Communication in Korean | Haewon Cho | CANCELED | Medical Communication in Korean aims to develop students’ essential communication skills, intercultural competence, and knowledge to successfully engage in Korean for medical purposes. This task-supported curriculum content includes (1) fundamental language skills necessary to perform various tasks in the medical field and (2) knowledge and competence in Korea’s medical professions, industry, and culture. Students will further hone their interactional and intercultural competence by engaging in a variety of assignments, such as role plays, presentations, and a project. Topics include basic medical terminology related to symptoms and treatments; essential communication strategies regarding patient care and consultations; and associated topics such as traditional Korean medicine and remedies, medical tourism in Korea, etc. Upon completion of this course, students are expected to obtain the Intermediate High level of proficiency based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency scale. | 2024A | |||||||
| KORN 0860-680 | Business Korean I | Haewon Cho | CANCELED | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Business Korean I is designed for students who want to sharpen their Korean language skills to the advanced-high level by focusing their study on Korean business and economy. Students will learn business/economy-related terminologies and concepts. They will also take an in-depth look at the issues related to business practices and environment in Korea. Students will improve and refine their language skills through actively participating in discussions, research, and presentations. | 2024A | |||||||
| KORN 0875-680 | Current Korean Media II | Hyobin Won | WILL 843 | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Current Korean Media II aims at a deeper understanding of the contemporary Korean society, through critical analysis of language use and viewpoints expressed in various types of media including the Internet, TV, films, magazines and newspapers. This course will focus on cultural products and practices such as popular culture, media culture, and entertainment. By catering to the needs and interests of individual learners of Korean, the course will provide them with a rich opportunity to relate what they have learned in previous Korean language courses to the larger context of Korean culture and society. In addition, students will have an in-depth discussion on topics related to Korean society as well as Penn news. This course is conducted entirely in Korean. | 2024A | ||||||
| KORN 0103-680 | Spoken Korean I | Siwon Lee | WILL 440 | MW 10:15 AM-11:44 AM | This class is for those that have little to no knowledge of Korean. The main focus is the development of Korean communication skills by exploring a variety of everyday topics beyond school settings. Students will improve their Korean communication skills by engaging in a variety of interactive activities, role plays, and presentations. Class topics include, but are not limited to, introducing oneself, describing one's surroundings, discussing daily activities and past events, talking about common objects and people, etc. We will also introduce cultural topics in order to deepen students' understanding of Korea's culture and language. NOTE: This course does not count toward the language requirement or the EALC major or minor. Offered through the Penn Language Center. | 2023C | ||||||
| KORN 0560-680 | Business Communication in Korean | Haewon Cho | WILL 25 | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. This course is designed to help students improve their Korean language proficiency by learning essential communication skills necessary to engage in business in Korea. Students will also develop their knowledge of and competence in Korean business culture and practice. The course objectives include: (1) to learn essential business terms, advanced grammar structures and communication strategies in business transactions; (2) to learn Korean business customs and culture, work norms, and business etiquette that students need to successfully communicate in a Korean business context. Topics include job application, business correspondence and reports, discussion and presentation in business meetings, communication styles and strategies in business contexts, current business culture, etc. | 2023C | ||||||
| KORN 0870-680 | Current Korean Media I | Hyobin Won | WILL 27 | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. This course aims to develop a deeper understanding of the contemporary Korean society through critical analysis of language use and viewpoints expressed in various types of media including the internet, TV, films and newspapers. This course will provide students with a rich opportunity to relate what they have learned in previous Korean language courses to the larger context of Korean culture and society. The course is conducted entirely in Korean and utilizes both written and audiovisual materials to develop students' reading/listening comprehension and critical thinking. The course also involves in-depth class discussion and writing short compositions to enhance conversation and writing skills. | 2023C | ||||||
| KORN 1070-680 | Advanced Topics in Korean Language and Culture I | Hyesun Jang | WILL 24 | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | This class aims to expand and deepen students’ understanding and knowledge related to various aspects of the Korean language and culture. Students will consolidate and further sophisticate their expertise in the Korean language and culture to achieve professional language proficiency while engaging in discussions, debates, mini-research, and presentations on a wide range of topics covering the Korean language, contemporary life, and culture. Special emphasis will be given to how the Korean language is structured, how cultural practices are reflected in the way language is used, and how interpersonal relationships are built and negotiated through the use of language. As such, the course is organized into the following two parts: (1) Analysis of the Korean language in various genres and media sources and (2) Examination of critical issues related to the Korean language and culture and development of one’s own stance on the given issues. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to reach the Advanced High Level (according to the ACTFL’s proficiency guidelines). | KORN6070680 | 2023C | |||||
| KORN 6070-680 | Advanced Topics in Korean Language and Culture I | Hyesun Jang | WILL 24 | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | This class aims to expand and deepen students’ understanding and knowledge related to various aspects of the Korean language and culture. Students will consolidate and further sophisticate their expertise in the Korean language and culture to achieve professional language proficiency while engaging in discussions, debates, mini-research, and presentations on a wide range of topics covering the Korean language, contemporary life, and culture. Special emphasis will be given to how the Korean language is structured, how cultural practices are reflected in the way language is used, and how interpersonal relationships are built and negotiated through the use of language. As such, the course is organized into the following two parts: (1) Analysis of the Korean language in various genres and media sources and (2) Examination of critical issues related to the Korean language and culture and development of one’s own stance on the given issues. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to reach the Advanced High Level (according to the ACTFL’s proficiency guidelines). | KORN1070680 | 2023C | |||||
| KORN 0105-680 | Spoken Korean II | Siwon Lee | WILL 302 | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | A continuation of Spoken Korean I, this course aims to further develop oral communication skills by exploring a variety of topics, such as shopping, hobbies, family and future plans. Class activities include interactive tasks, role plays and presentations. Cultural topics will also be incorporated in order to further deepen students' understanding of Korea's culture and language. Upon completion of the course, students will be able to comprehend and carry on basic conversations; exchange information on a variety of topics in the past, present and future tenses; and achieve a proficiency level of Novice High based on the ACTFL (American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages) proficiency scale. NOTE: This course does not count toward the language requirement or the EALC major or minor. Offered through the Penn Language Center. | 2023A | ||||||
| KORN 0860-680 | Business Korean I | Heejin Kim | DRLB 3N6 | MW 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Business Korean I is designed for students who want to sharpen their Korean language skills to the advanced-high level by focusing their study on Korean business and economy. Students will learn business/economy-related terminologies and concepts. They will also take an in-depth look at the issues related to business practices and environment in Korea. Students will improve and refine their language skills through actively participating in discussions, research, and presentations. | 2023A | ||||||
| KORN 0875-680 | Current Korean Media II | Hyobin Won | JAFF 104 | TR 3:30 PM-4:59 PM | Offered through the Penn Language Center. Current Korean Media II aims at a deeper understanding of the contemporary Korean society, through critical analysis of language use and viewpoints expressed in various types of media including the Internet, TV, films, magazines and newspapers. This course will focus on cultural products and practices such as popular culture, media culture, and entertainment. By catering to the needs and interests of individual learners of Korean, the course will provide them with a rich opportunity to relate what they have learned in previous Korean language courses to the larger context of Korean culture and society. In addition, students will have an in-depth discussion on topics related to Korean society as well as Penn news. This course is conducted entirely in Korean. | 2023A |