KOR 521SEM - Korean Language and Culture

Through close readings of selected articles, which range from the technical linguistic topics to more broadly ethnographic and socio-cultural studies, this course explores the use of the Korean language in contemporary South Korean society. Topics include Korean sound and writing system, vocabulary, including loan words, language variation, such as the differences between North and South Korean, language and gender, honorifics and politeness, language ideology, and Korean-American speech, among others. In addition to introducing the specifics of the Korean cultural context, the readings will familiarize students with sociolinguistic theory and ethnographic methods.

Credits: 3