Admission requirements
This course is intended for BA students in Korean Studies who have successfully completed all BA2 Korean language courses.
Limited elective spaces are available for students from other programs. If you are not a Korean Studies major, please contact Dr. A.R. Nam (a.r.nam@hum.leidenuniv.nl) to confirm whether your Korean language proficiency is sufficient to enroll in this course.
Description
This course aims to equip students with specialized Korean language skills for business contexts and an adequate understanding of Korean business culture. Through practical insights and interactive learning, students will develop the knowledge necessary to navigate and succeed in Korean corporate environments, alongside considering their career paths post-graduation.
Course objectives
Develop proficiency in formal Korean language for business:
o Acquire specialized Korean language skills and communication strategies specific to Korean Business contexts and practice them.
o Demonstrate competency in written and spoken business communications, including emails and phone calls.Gain a comprehensive understanding of Korean business culture:
o Explore and analyze the cultural norms, values, and practices prevalent in Korean business settings.
o Understand the organizational structures, hierarchy, and decision-making processes in Korean businesses.
o Compare and contrast Korean business culture with Dutch business practices to foster a deeper understanding of cultural differences.
o Develop cultural sensitivity and adaptability to effectively engage with Korean colleagues and clients.Enhance career readiness and future planning
o Encourage reflection on career aspirations and pathways suitable for working in Korean companies or collaborating with Korean counterparts.
o Learn the key features of job application materials tailored for Korean companies, such as resumes (이력서) and self-introduction letters (자기소개서).
o Practice interview skills and understand the expectations and norms of Korean job interviews
Timetable
The timetables are available through My Timetable.
Mode of instruction
Seminar
Assessment method
Assessment and Weighing
Students must pass the final exam with a score of 5.5 or higher. Thereafter, the final grade will be determined according to the following formula:
Weekly in-class vocabulary quizzes: 5%
Final written exam (closed questions, short open questions, and essay questions): 95%
The combined grade of the two components should be 5.5 or higher to pass the course.
Resit
A student can do two in-class vocabulary resits upon request. The resits must take place before the last day of class.
A student who fails to receive 5.5 or higher on the final written exam must resit the exam.
A student whose combined grade of the two components is below 5.5 must resit the final written exam to raise the combined grade to 5.5 or higher.
A student who fails to meet the attendance requirement will fail the course. There is no resit or make-up for attendance.
Inspection and feedback
Students may make an individual appointment with the instructor within 30 days after the publication of their final grades in order to review the grades.
Reading list
Nam (2025). Reader for Business Korean (to be purchased in due course via the Reading Online webshop: https://readeronline.leidenuniv.nl/ )
*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
최인아 (2023). 내가 가진 것을 세상이 원하게 하라 (Make the World Want What You Have). 해냄출판사. ISBN 979116714060
Meyer, E. (2014). The culture map : breaking through the invisible boundaries of global business. PublicAffairs.
Jung, Y. (2023). Korean business communication : a comprehensive introduction (First edition.). Routledge.
Kwon, S., & Frankl, J. M. (2011). Essential Korean for business use. Hollym.
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
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.