The Department of East Asian Studies at University of California-Irvine offers several degree programs in Korean Studies for both undergraduate and graduate students.
Undergraduate Programs
Major in East Asian Cultures with emphasis in Korea
The curriculum for the major in East Asian Cultures focuses on the regional dynamics of cultural and social transformations in East Asia. Students benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to the study of intra-regional relationships between East Asian countries in order to situate them in their broader global contexts. By integrating the study of East Asia with theoretical issues that shape the study of world culture in general, students gain the dual perspectives derived from examining East Asian cultures on their own terms and from recognizing the affinities these civilizations share, and the conflicts they encounter in their interactions with the rest of the world.
Major/Minor in Korean Literature and Culture
The curriculum for Korean Literature and Culture enables students to understand the extensive and rich literary, historical, social and aesthetic achievements of Korea by studying its language, literature, film, religion and other cultural accomplishments in depth.
Graduate Programs
Ph.D. in East Asian Studies
Upon admission to the program, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will help the student plan a program of study consisting of 15 graduate-level quarter-courses of work beyond the B. A. in the appropriate concentration. Students must select one of three concentrations as their principal pursuit: Chinese, Japanese or East Asian Cultural Studies. Students may, in addition, select an emphasis, for which they receive certification.
Before advancement to candidacy (normally after three years of graduate study), the student must:
Undergraduate Programs
Major in East Asian Cultures with emphasis in Korea
The curriculum for the major in East Asian Cultures focuses on the regional dynamics of cultural and social transformations in East Asia. Students benefit from a multidisciplinary approach to the study of intra-regional relationships between East Asian countries in order to situate them in their broader global contexts. By integrating the study of East Asia with theoretical issues that shape the study of world culture in general, students gain the dual perspectives derived from examining East Asian cultures on their own terms and from recognizing the affinities these civilizations share, and the conflicts they encounter in their interactions with the rest of the world.
Major/Minor in Korean Literature and Culture
The curriculum for Korean Literature and Culture enables students to understand the extensive and rich literary, historical, social and aesthetic achievements of Korea by studying its language, literature, film, religion and other cultural accomplishments in depth.
Graduate Programs
Ph.D. in East Asian Studies
Upon admission to the program, the student will be assigned a faculty advisor who will help the student plan a program of study consisting of 15 graduate-level quarter-courses of work beyond the B. A. in the appropriate concentration. Students must select one of three concentrations as their principal pursuit: Chinese, Japanese or East Asian Cultural Studies. Students may, in addition, select an emphasis, for which they receive certification.
Before advancement to candidacy (normally after three years of graduate study), the student must:
- Complete required coursework as detailed in the appropriate concentration.
- Prepare one paper of publishable quality pending approval of the faculty advisor
- Complete language requirements as listed in the appropriate concentration
- Prepare five research reports (i.e. critical reviews) on current scholarly materials (books or significant articles) to be decided upon in consultation with the faculty advisor
- Submit the Ph.D. Exam Reading List (with a rationale for the four topics chosen) for approval of all members of the Ph.D. Exam Committee at least one quarter before the intended exam date.
- Pass the Ph.D. qualifying examination