Admission requirements
This course is intended for BA students in Korean Studies who have successfully completed either Korean 3 (5722KK03) or Korean Language Study in Korea (5722VK07, level 3 or equivalent).
Limited elective spaces are available for students from other programs. If you are not a Korean Studies major, please contact Dr. A.R. Nam to confirm whether your Korean language proficiency is sufficient to enroll in this course.
Please note: this course replaces Intermediate Korean Reading (5722VKIR) and KAP: Reading (5722VKR1). Students that started the BA Koreastudies in 2022-2023 or earlier and did not finish any of these courses, can make use of a transitional arrangement as listed in the remarks below.
Description
Intermediate Korean Reading 2A is a continuation of Intermediate Korean Reading 1, focusing on applying the skills and knowledge acquired in the previous course. In this course, students will engage with longer and more complex texts centred around SOCIETAL ISSUES in Korea. Emphasis will shift from detailed sentence analysis and translation to global comprehension and thematic understanding. Students will further expand their vocabulary, particularly in areas relevant to the course’s thematic focus, while continuing to develop their understanding of grammar and expressions used in formal, academic, and professional Korean. Additionally, students will deepen their knowledge of Hanja as it pertains to advanced Korean vocabulary. The course also aims to equip students with the skills to independently search for and comprehend online Korean materials, supporting continued learning beyond the classroom.
Course objectives
Students will be able to:
Apply knowledge of vocabulary, grammar, and expressions to understand and analyze longer, theme-based texts.
Develop global comprehension skills to grasp the main ideas and themes of complex societal issues as presented in Korean texts.
Expand their vocabulary, with a focus on terms and expressions relevant to the course’s thematic content.
Continue learning new Hanja characters and apply them to enhance their understanding of Korean vocabulary.
Cultivate independent learning skills by searching for, selecting, and analyzing online Korean materials of personal interest.
Build confidence in reading and comprehending extended Korean texts on contemporary societal topics.
Enhance understanding of Korean society and develop social awareness by engaging ciritically with authentic texts on current social issues.
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
Students must pass the written exam and complete the assignments. Thereafter final grades will be determined according to the following formula.
Weekly in-class quizzes: 5%
Weekly online quizzes: 5%
Assignments: Pass/Fail
Written exam: 90%
Resit
A student may request to resit two missed or failed (below 55%) quizzes. The request must be made within two weeks of the original quiz date.
There will be no resits for online quizzes. Please make sure to complete each quiz on time.
A student who receives a grade below 5.5 on the written exam must resit.
A Student who fails to submit the assignment(s) on time may submit it by the exam date or the resit date. For each late assignment, one additional assignment must be submitted.
A student whose final grade, calculated using the formula, is below 5.5 must resit the written exam in order to raise their overall grade above 5.5 — even if their score on the written exam alone is 5.5 or higher.
Inspection and feedback
Within two weeks after an exam, the date and time for the exam debriefing session will be announced via Brightspace, allowing students to review their exam.
Reading list
The reading list for class use will be shared via Brightspace.
*Recommended (but not required, mainly for self-study and reference):
강현화 외 (2019). 단어 형성 원리로 배우는 한국어 어휘 1. 소통출판사. ISBN 9791186453711
강현화 외 (2019). 단어 형성 원리로 배우는 한국어 어휘 2. 소통출판사. ISBN 9791186453728
Piketty, T., & Goldhammer, A. (2014). Capital in the twenty-first century. The Belknap Press of Harvard University Press.
Bourdieu, P., Nice, R., & Bennett, T. (2010). Distinction : a social critique of the judgement of taste. Routledge.
Goldin, C. D. (2021). Career and family : women’s century-long journey toward equity. Princeton University Press. https://doi.org/10.1515/9780691226736
Nord, M., Altman, D., Angiolillo, F., Fernandes, T., Good God, A., & Lindberg, S. I. (2025). Democracy report 2025: 25 years of autocratization – Democracy trumped? University of Gothenburg: V-Dem Institute.
Park, H., & Woo, H. (Eds.). (2020). Korean families yesterday and today. University of Michigan Press.
Mudde, C. (2019). The far right today. Polity.
Registration
Enrolment through MyStudyMap is mandatory.
General information about course and exam enrolment is available on the website.
Registration À la carte education, Contract teaching and Exchange
For the registration of exchange students contact Humanities International Office.
Contact
For substantive questions, contact the lecturer listed in the right information bar.
For questions about enrolment, admission, etc, contact the Education Administration Office Herta Mohr
Remarks
The EC and grade earned from this course can be transferred to Intermediate Korean Reading (5722VKIR) or KAP: Reading (5722VKR1) if students have not previously finished either of these courses. Students wishing to make use of this arrangement or explore other options, can consult with Dr. A. R. Nam.
A strict attendance policy is imposed. Missing more than three (for 5EC language courses), six (for Korean 3) or nine (for Korean 1 and 2) sessions during the semester may get you barred from further attending the course and your exams may not be graded. Any absences must be notified in advance. Dispensation from the attendance policy for extenuating circumstances can only be granted by the Board of Examiners after consultation with the teacher.