Handong Global University operates the Korean Studies Course to attract foreign students and nurturing human talents who are secured with globalization, global competency, and converged competency beginning the first semester they attend HGU.
Korea achieved industrialization and democratization within a relatively short period of time. This success attracts interest from many countries. In addition, thanks to the Korean wave, the number of students entering Korea for study is increasing. Also, the demand for Koran experts is increasing. In this regard, the necessity to nurture foreign Korean experts during the time they are studying in Korea. After they return to their country, they can serve in various fields as Korean experts. According to the Chairman of the Korean Studies Major Committee, Jongrok Kim, “Now many foreign students are studying at Handong Global University. My hope is that those students can study here and work as Korean Studies experts. They will serve as bridges in the globalization of Korea.
The Korean Studies Course can be completed as the first major or the second major for foreign students under the Creative & Converged Educational School. For domestic students, it can be completed as their second major. The educational course is composed of Humanities (Language, Literature, History, and Philosophy) and Social Science fora total of 90 credits. Besides the Korean language, all of these other courses will be delivered in English: Korean Politics, Korean Economics, Korean Religions and Theory, and Modernization of Korea. This will facilitate foreign students taking all the courses without language difficulties. In addition, as a Minor, the ‘Korean Track for Nurturing Korean Language Teachers of Foreign Students’ is operating so both Korean and foreign students can acquire a 3rd level teacher certification.
It is expected that the Korean Studies major can enter various fields. Since after its establishment in 1995, Handong Global University has operated the 100% free semester major. Freshmen can enter without deciding their Major and School. When they will become sophomores, the students can choose two majors without any limits. The Double Major System is operating now. In cases where students complete the Korean Studies with another major course, various synergy effects are expected. In particular, if foreign students will take advantage of the double major system in IT and Korean Studies, GM and Korean Studies, and UIL and Korean Studies, they will be equipped to work as experts in various fields based on Korean Studies. If foreign and Korean students major in Korean Studies, when they return to their country, it is expected that they will contribute to the globalization of Korea.
The Korean Studies Course that is newly opened in Korea is attracting students unlike major courses in other universities. The universities that have Korean Studies provide most lectures in Korean and the courses are focused on domestic students only. However, the Korean Studies of Handong Global University is evaluated as one of the best educational courses in terms of providing various kinds of Korean studies not only for Korean languages but also to teach about all of Korea.
President Soon-Heung Chang said, “This Korean Studies Course will serve as a driving force to attract many foreign students. I hope Handong Global University will jump start one more steps forward as an international university.”
