★ All lectures are in Korean.
[ Creative and Participatory Education ]
Sogang University, evolving as a 21st-century institution, has established the School of Integrated Knowledge to lead the future through interdisciplinary education. The creation of the Global Korean Studies major under this school marks a significant milestone. The students selected for this major are not only top achievers but also possess exceptional creativity and talent—future leaders who will shape Korea’s future. As a newly established program, Global Korean Studies breaks away from conventional academic frameworks to forge new paths of knowledge.
The curriculum is structured to offer differentiated academic roadmaps tailored to students’ individual goals. First, students will undergo a foundational curriculum that provides a comprehensive understanding of Korean society and culture. This process will integrate the humanities and social sciences, helping students define their future goals.
Students seeking academic advancement will pursue specialized tracks in the humanities or social sciences, while those aiming for professional careers will follow practice-based programs aligned with their aspirations. Reflecting the nature of interdisciplinary studies, the program emphasizes not just knowledge delivery but also the cultivation of skills to identify meaningful questions, solve problems independently, and conduct research and learning based on students' own interests.
[ Leaders in the Globalization and Advancement of Korean Studies ]
Korean Studies led by non-Koreans often faces limitations in accessing in-depth local knowledge and resources, while Korean-led Korean Studies may face challenges in engaging in academic dialogue with the global community. Students in the Global Korean Studies major bridge this gap by combining a deep understanding of Korea with the ability to communicate globally, contributing meaningfully to the development of Korean Studies both at home and abroad.
Due to the nature of the major, interaction with international students is essential. Sogang University hosts many foreign students through short- and long-term programs, some of whom pursue full degrees. These students are not only the audience for Global Korean Studies but also its future contributors. Through close interaction with them—both in classes and through extracurricular activities—Global Korean Studies students will actively engage in the field and embody the role of cultural and academic ambassadors.
Thus, Global Korean Studies majors are expected to become highly competent regional specialists with deep understanding of specific regions or fields they aspire to work in.
Since this discipline is premised on international exchange, most courses will be taught in English. Through learning and communicating Korean society and culture in a foreign language with international peers, students will develop diverse perspectives and methodological tools. The program also includes various field-based experiences, offering hands-on opportunities to connect academic knowledge with real-world applications.
Students of Global Korean Studies will play a leading role in the internationalization of both Korean society and Sogang University.
[ Opportunities to Study at Prestigious Universities Abroad ]
The Global Korean Studies program offers students the opportunity to study abroad for one year at a world-class university. Since 2014, Sogang has maintained a student exchange program with the School of Oriental and African Studies (SOAS), University of London.
Beginning in Fall 2015, the program launched a collaborative East Asian Studies curriculum in which students take 12 credits each in Korean Studies at Sogang (in English), Japanese Studies at Sophia University (in English), and Chinese Studies at City University of Hong Kong (in English), earning a joint East Asian Studies minor.
We are also working to establish exchange agreements with leading universities in the United States, with the aim of providing all students in the major the opportunity to study abroad for one year.
Current international exchange initiatives include:
• Operation of the Sogang Korean Studies Summer School (since 2013)
• Launch of the KF-Sogang Korean Studies VOD Program (since 2013), offered at Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, Ateneo de Manila University in the Philippines, World Languages University in Uzbekistan, Ocean University of China, and University of Malaya in Malaysia
• One-year exchange student program with SOAS, University of London (since 2014)
• Establishment of a tri-lateral East Asian Studies program with City University of Hong Kong and Sophia University in Japan
For more information, please refer to the University Curriculum Guide (covering all majors at Sogang University from past to present):