Korean Studies with Japanese BA

Core modules:

Exploring East Asia

This module introduces students to the study of modern East Asia. Beginning by encouraging consideration of what the subject of East Asian Studies is, it then introduces the following key topics: East Asian Geography and Environment, History, Culture and Media, Economics and Business, and Political Relations. In parallel with this content, the module also introduces core academic skills as follows: independent, lecture and seminar study; reflective practice; critical information, digital and visual literacy; evidence and argument in academic writing, and appropriate examination techniques. These two elements provide a firm foundation of knowledge and abilities for higher level study. 

20 credits

Korean Language 1A

This module is focusing on receptive activities and written productive activities in Korean language. It aims to enable students to acquire basic competence in grammar, reading, writing and translation both from and into Korean. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to do something practical in Korean. The target level at the end of this level is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) beginners level/L1 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) A1. 

20 credits

Korean Language 1B

This module is focusing on interactive activities in Korean. It aims to enable students to acquire basic competence in speaking and listening skills. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to communicate in Korean through a variety of activities. The target level at the end of this level is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) beginners level/L1 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) A1. 

10 credits

Japanese for Non-Specialists 1

This module aims to enable students with no prior knowledge of Japanese to acquire basic practical language skills, in listening, reading, speaking and writing. Japanese scripts will be introduced at the start and used throughout. On successful completion of the module students will; have a vocabulary of about 300 words related to daily life, understand simple sentences and classroom expressions related to daily activities, be able to obtain specific information from written and audio materials, be able to hold simple conversations; and be able to write about the topics covered in class in simple sentences or forms. 

10 credits

Korean Language 2A

This module is focusing on receptive activities and written productive activities in Korean language. This module builds on the achievement of EAS1043 and introduces further grammatical structures of the Korean language with a view to further developing reading, writing and translation skills. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to do something practical in Korean. At the end of this level students should complete the beginner's level which is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) upper beginners level/L2 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) A2.

20 credits

Korean Language 2B

This module is focusing on interactive activities in Korean. This module is built on the achievement of EAS1044 and develop speaking and listening skills further to provide the grounding necessary for intermediate study. Every week carefully designed grammar structures and vocabulary will be introduced so that students will be able to communicate in Korean through a variety of activities. At the end of this level students should complete the beginner's level which is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) upper beginners level/L2 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) A2.

10 credits

Japanese for Non-Specialists 2

This module aims to enable students with some elementary knowledge of Japanese to acquire further practical language skills, in listening, reading, speaking and writing. On successful completion of the module students will; have a further vocabulary of about 400 words related to daily life; understand and use the written forms of all the introduced core grammar patterns; and understand selected simple spoken and written structures and be able to use them as spoken and written communication. . 

10 credits

Approved modules:
You will take one of the following Korea focused modules. Each module has a humanities or social sciences focus and will look at a core text, which has played a significant role in developing an intricate, understanding of Korea. The content of these modules change regularly to ensure they are topical and make the best use of our staff expertise.

History and Culture in Korea

This module explores what it means to study Korea at university level, and considers how 'area studies' research on Korea fits within disciplines such as history and cultural studies. We will consider how histories and cultural understandings of Korea are built with the following in mind: how researchers use primary evidence such as texts, documents and/or images to understand social change; and how to navigate key debates in a field and evaluate competing arguments. You will finish this module with a deeper understanding of our core topic and the disciplinary approaches that frame it, and a foundation in critical research and writing skills that you can apply and develop in further study. We will work on a combination of new and established research to explore one core topic.

20 credits

Politics, Economy and Society in Korea

.This module explores what it means to study Korea at university level, and considers how 'area studies' research on Korea fits within disciplines such as political economy, international relations, anthropology, sociology and geography. We will work on a combination of new and established research to explore core topics in contemporary Korea: including how Korean society has changed; how researchers use different conceptual frameworks and types of primary evidence to understand change and its wider impact; and, how to use the different types of work published in the field and evaluate competing arguments in key debates. You will finish this module with a deeper understanding of our core topic and the disciplinary approaches that frame it, and a foundation in critical research and writing skills that you can apply and develop in further study. We will work on a combination of new and established research to explore one core topic

20 credits

Core modules:

Korean Language 3A

This module is focusing on receptive activities and written productive activities in Korean language at lower intermediate level. This module acts as a transition between the teacher-centred learning required for the acquisition of basic language skills, and the autonomous and self-directed learning required to progress at intermediate and advanced levels. Translation and functional reading skills are extended, with texts including annotated topical materials. Techniques for tackling unseen materials are developed and grammar knowledge is consolidated and expanded. Practical knowledge of roughly 150 Chinese characters is introduced. Students develop skills needed to make best use of the Year Abroad programme.

20 credits

Korean Language 3B

This module is focusing on interactive activities in Korean language at lower intermediate level. Every week students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practise spoken applications of specific themes, which is shared with the grammar and writing components. Students develop skills needed to make best use of the Year Abroad programme.

10 credits

Japanese for Non-Specialists 3

This module aims to enable students with some elementary knowledge of Japanese to acquire further practical language skills, in listening, reading, speaking and writing. On successful completion of the module students will; have a further vocabulary of about 400 words related to daily activities; understand and use the written forms of all the introduced core grammar patterns;and understand selected simple spoken and written structures and be able to use them as spoken and written communication.

10 credits

Korean Language 4A

This module is focusing on receptive and written productive activities in Korean language at mid-intermediate level. This module continues to act as a transition towards the autonomous and self-directed learning required to progress at intermediate and advanced levels. Grammar knowledge is consolidated and expanded and practical knowledge of Hanja is expanded. Further functional reading skills and precise Korean-English translation skills are introduced. The use of written Korean appropriate to a variety of social contexts (i.e. life in Korea) is developed. The target level at the end of the level is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) L4 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) B2.

20 credits

Korean Language 4B

This module is focusing on oral and aural activities in Korean language at intermediate level. Every week students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practise spoken applications of specific themes, which is shared with the grammar and writing components. Students are made aware of and given the opportunity to practice spoken applications of specific situations. The target level at the end of this level is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) L4 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) B2.

10 credits

Japanese for Non-Specialists 4

This module aims to enable students with some elementary knowledge of Japanese to acquire further practical language skills, in listening, reading, speaking and writing. On successful completion of the module students will; have a further vocabulary of about 400 words related to daily activities; understand and use the written forms of all the introduced core grammar patterns;and understand selected simple spoken and written structures and be able to use them as spoken and written communication.

10 credits

Approved Modules:
You will take one of the following modules

Understanding Contemporary North Korea

What does it mean to “understand” North Korea, and what are the potential implications of this understanding, academically and professionally? This module explores these questions through the disciplines of international relations, history, media studies and anthropology, as we cover a range of topics in the field of contemporary North Korea. These topics include post-colonialism, founding myths, nationalism, identity, ideology, human rights, international relations, and security, and covers key events and trends from the mid-1900s to the present day. The module provides a foundation for students to critically analyse how the North Korean state and society are presented to us via a variety of voices, as well as how we might respond in any capacity to engage with North Korean affairs. Lectures, instructional videos and assigned readings will provide background, case studies and theoretical approaches helpful for developing a nuanced understanding of the topics covered. Seminar classwork and the assessed portfolio will be used to learn and practice skills integral to both academic and professional activities commonly associated with studies of contemporary politics and society.

20 credits

Contemporary Korean Society

Since the end of World War II, South Korea has undergone rapid modernisation and radical social transformations that have created both opportunities and challenges. Through the disciplines of history, political science, social science and anthropology, this module examines major social, political, and cultural events and issues in contemporary Korea, including the developmental state, democratisation, gender, migration and modernity, contemporary social movements and Korea’s place in the global community. This module aims to contribute to the development of students’ capacity to go beyond observing and describing phenomena they may encounter when engaging with Korea, towards exercising an informed and nuanced understanding of the underlying forces that shape Korean politics, culture, business and society today. Classes are in the format of lectures, instructional videos and readings, followed by a series of seminars during which students will engage in research sessions and skills-focused tasks to discuss the experiences of one of Asia’s most dynamic nations. The module is assessed with a portfolio of tasks designed to practice skills and deploy knowledge developed through engagement with the module’s content and activities.

20 credits

History of Korean Popular Music

This module examines the social history of (South) Korea from the 1930s to the dawn of the millennium through the lens of popular music. The module starts with songs on gramophone records made during the Japanese colonial period and ends with Psy's 'Gangnam Style,' which achieved global popularity while satirising urban lifestyle in Seoul. Each week, students and the module lead perform a close analysis of the selected song(s), informed by relevant socio-historical contexts such as Japanese colonialism, national division, the Cold War, urban migration, state censorship, democratisation, and globalization. Secondarily, the module introduces students to issues that are relevant to the study of popular music in any national or transnational context.

20 credits

Approved Modules:
Plus one from the list below

Contemporary Japanese Society

This module discusses key factors shaping contemporary Japanese society. Our particular focus will be on the last twenty years as post-Bubble Japan has entered a period of economic decline, prompting a series of debates about the effects of this change on society. Weekly lectures provide analysis and explanation of each week’s theme, with a focus on cutting-edge scholarship from the fields of history, anthropology, media studies, gender studies, and cultural studies.

20 credits

Environment and Development of the Japanese Islands

This module takes geographical, ecological, socio-cultural and political-economic perspectives in charting the emergence of Japan as the world's first non-Western developed country. Beginning with Japan's geological formation in pre-history and ending with a speculative enquiry into the state of Japan in 2100, the module assesses the human and ecological consequences of Japan's development within the country's Asian, Pacific, and global contexts.

20 credits

Modern Japanese History

This module will explore key themes in the modern history of Japan from the mid-nineteenth to the late twentieth century, while developing core skills in reading primary sources and historical analysis. Broad themes include identity and nation-building, social and economic change, war and its practical and cultural legacies. Key sub-disciplinary approaches will be based in social and cultural history, with some excursions into other historiographical approaches. It will be delivered through weekly lectures, and seminars structured around developing primary source analysis skills and relating these to appropriate secondary literature. 

20 credits

Experiencing 'Japan' through Literary Texts

This module enables students to understand the key debates and issues in Japanese culture and society as related in literature, from pre-modern to contemporary times. Taking a chronological and thematic perspective, the module engages with critical approaches to literature and its interpretation, and through these encourages students to develop and acquire critical thinking about concepts of Japan and Japaneseness.

20 credits

Core module:

Korea Year Abroad

This year abroad programme in Korea is designed to equip students with more advanced language skills, as well as to immerse them in Korean culture, enabling them to take part in a range of structured and informal learning experiences to develop their familiarity with the Korean social, cultural and physical environments. On completion of the module they will have acquired facility in operating with confidence with a Korean language environment, and taken part in a range of structured and informal learning experiences to develop their familiarity with the Korean social, cultural and physical environments. Both of these elements are essential for progression to Level 3.

Where extenuating circumstances prevent a cohort, or a large portion of a cohort, from completing a complete academic year abroad, the School of East Asian Studies will provide alternative arrangements for students to meet the language learning outcomes.

120 credits

Core Modules:

Korean Language 5

This module is focusing on receptive activities and written productive activities in Korean language at the intermediate high level consolidating the knowledge learned during Korea Year Abroad. This module acts as a transition between the teacher-centred learning required for the acquisition of basic and intermediate language skills, and the autonomous and self-directed learning required at high advanced levels. Translation and functional reading skills are extended, with texts including annotated topical materials. Techniques for tackling unseen materials are developed and advanced grammar is consolidated and expanded. Practical knowledge of roughly 250 Chinese characters is introduced. The target level at the end of this level is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) intermediate high level/L4 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) B2.

20 credits

Japanese for Non- Specialists 5

The module follows on from and consolidates the skills acquired in Japanese for Non-Specialists 4 and aims to acquire further practical language skills, in listening, reading, speaking and writing. New grammatical patterns and a broader range of vocabulary and kanji are introduced and practised. Students will further develop their oral competence in spoken practice through role-plays and discussion activities, focusing on clear and appropriate communication.

10 credits

Korean Language 6

This module builds on skills acquired in Korean Language 5. It is divided into four sections, each one focussing on a key linguistic skill which is demanded of adult foreign users of the language. These skills are: translation into English; summarisation of information bearing texts; writing in Korean with a focus on short reports and the interpretation of data; and speaking, with a focus on group and individual presentations. Group work, with students determining their own materials for study, is a key element of the module, enabling students to develop as independent learners. The target level at the end of this level is roughly equivalent to TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) advanced high level/L6 or CEFR (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages) C1+.

20 credits

Japanese for Non- Specialists 6

The module follows on from and consolidates the skills acquired in Japanese for Non-Specialists 5 and aims to acquire further practical language skills, in listening, reading, speaking and writing. New grammatical patterns and a broader range of vocabulary and kanji are introduced and practised. Students will further develop their oral competence in spoken practice through role-plays and discussion activities, focusing on clear and appropriate communication.

10 credits

Approved Modules:
You will take one of the following modules.

Researching Korea 1

This unit explores some of the key debates and latest empirical developments in a specific field of research currently undertaken by a member of SEAS staff in Korean Studies. It enables students to understand how research questions are formulated and answered by exploring the member of staff's disciplinary focus, the range of theoretical approaches employed, and the various methodologies available in researching this field.

20 credits

Researching Korea 2

This unit explores some of the key debates and latest empirical developments in a specific field of research currently undertaken by a member of SEAS staff in Korean Studies. It enables students to understand how research questions are formulated and answered by exploring the member of staff's disciplinary focus, the range of theoretical approaches employed, and the various methodologies available in researching this field.

20 credits

Approved Modules:
You will take one of the following modules.

Researching Japan 1

This module, subtitled “Stardom, Celebrity, and Politics in Japan”, investigates the operations of persona in the Japanese social and political sphere. Star, celebrity, and political persona is understood as a shifting object, informed by the socio-political circumstances of the historical period in which the transmitting persona operates.The goal of this research module is to establish a method for tracing and accounting for the operations of constructed public persona on our understanding of Japan.

20 credits

Researching Japan 2

This unit explores some of the key debates and latest empirical developments in a specific field of research currently undertaken by a member of SEAS staff in Japanese Studies. It enables students to understand how research questions are formulated and answered by exploring the member of staff's disciplinary focus, the range of theoretical approaches employed, and the various methodologies available in researching this field.

20 credits

Korea Research Project 2

In this module, you will work as part of a small team within a scenario set by a SEAS staff member that relates to his/her field of research as explored in EAS3043. You will answer a research question by choosing an appropriate methodology, allocating specific tasks within your team, organising your time and reflecting on the research process both individually and collectively. Specific projects will include appropriate research training provided by the module organiser and/or 301. At the end of the module you will produce a research output and display it as part of a programme-wide and School-wide event to specialised/non-specialised audiences.

20 credits

Korea Research Project 1

In this module, you will work as part of a small team within a scenario set by a SEAS staff member that relates to his/her field of research as explored in EAS3043. You will answer a research question by choosing an appropriate methodology, allocating specific tasks within your team, organising your time and reflecting on the research process both individually and collectively. Specific projects will include appropriate research training provided by the module organiser and/or 301. At the end of the module you will produce a research output and display it as part of a programme-wide and School-wide event to specialised/non-specialised audiences.

20 credits

Japan Research Project 1

In this semester, we will apply the understanding developed in EAS3031 Researching Japan 1 to a research project on stardom, celebrity, and politics in Japan. You will answer a research question of your own choice by choosing an appropriate methodology, organising your time and reflecting on the research process both individually and collectively. At the end of the module you will produce a research output and display it as part of a programme-wide and School-wide event to specialised/non-specialised audiences. The research outputs and bibliographies will be published in an online exhibition space dedicated to Level 3 Researching Projects at SEAS.

20 credits

Japan Research Project 2

In this module, you will work as part of a small team within a scenario set by a SEAS staff member that relates to his/her field of research as explored in EAS3033. You will answer a research question by choosing an appropriate methodology, allocating specific tasks within your team, organising your time and reflecting on the research process both individually and collectively. Specific projects will include appropriate research training provided by the module organiser and/or 301. At the end of the module you will produce a research output and display it as part of a programme-wide and School-wide event to specialised/non-specialised audiences.

20 credits

East Asian Dissertation

The East Asian dissertation requires that students produce an extended and focused study of a subject of their own choice, within the scope of their degree programme, and allows students to refine and their independent research, analytical and writing skills. The unit is delivered through a combination of group meetings in lecture or seminar format and through individual supervision.

20 credits