Korean

University at Buffalo Department of Linguistics.

Experience the Korean Wave with UB’s Korean Program

한류 열풍, 버팔로 대학교에서 경험해 보세요!

South Korea is an Asian economic powerhouse known for its rapid growth and cultural influence worldwide. The global phenomenon of Hallyu, or the Korean Wave, encompasses everything from K-pop and K-dramas to fashion and cuisine, making Korean culture immensely popular. The Korean language, 한국어 (Hangugeo), is spoken by over 77 million people globally and is one of the fastest-growing languages in the world.

Why study Korean?

Learning Korean opens up numerous opportunities in international business, cultural exchange and global communication. It enhances your ability to engage with a dynamic and influential culture and provides a competitive edge in various professional fields. UB’s Korean Program is designed to promote communicative and intercultural competence while deepening your understanding of Korean culture.

Program highlights

The Korean Program at UB offers comprehensive courses in Korean language, linguistics and culture. We provide two degree options tailored to fit your academic and professional goals:

  • Bachelor of Arts in Linguistics - Korean Language and Linguistics Concentration
  • Minor in Korean

Course offerings

Korean Language Courses:

  • KOR 111: First-Year Korean 1st Semester (6 credits)
  • KOR 112: First-Year Korean 2nd Semester (3 credits)
  • KOR 201: Second-Year Korean 1st Semester (4 credits)
  • KOR 202: Second-Year Korean 2nd Semester (4 credits)
  • KOR 301: Third-Year Korean 1st Semester (3 credits)
  • KOR 302: Third-Year Korean 2nd Semester (3 credits)
  • KOR 401: Advanced Korean Readings and Conversation (3 credits)
  • KOR 402: Advanced Korean Readings and Conversation (Second Semester) (3 credits)
  • KOR 539: Korean Graduate Study (2-4 credits)

Korean Content Courses (Taught in English):

  • KOR 345: Contemporary Korean Popular Culture and the Korean Wave (3 credits)
  • KOR 351: Korean Literature in Translation I (3 credits)
  • KOR 352: Korean Literature in Translation II (3 credits)
  • KOR 411/511: Introduction to Korean Linguistics (3 credits)
  • KOR 421/521: Korean Language and Culture (3 credits)
  • KOR 451/551: Teaching Korean as a Foreign Language (3 credits)
  • KOR 481: Special Topics (varies)

Learn more and get involved

For degree requirements and more information about the program and minor, visit the Department of Linguistics. For any questions about Korean courses, placement exams or study abroad programs, contact Korean Program Director Hyein Amber Kim at hkim55@buffalo.edu.

Interested students can explore study abroad opportunities and gain valuable international experience by visiting buffalo.edu/educationabroad.