Harvard Summer Program in Seoul, South Korea

  South Korea

• Seoul: 
Seoul

Term: Summer 
Dates: June 23-August 1

Description: Korea possesses a rich history and cultural traditions that can be traced back to its prehistoric periods. Seoul, the South Korean capital and a thoroughly modern metropolis, rests upon the remains of one of Korea's earliest civilizations, the hidden remnants of which are only now being revealed to us. With the boom in archaeological discoveries in recent years, scholars as well as the general public in Korea and beyond, engage in an active program of reassessing the early history and culture of the peninsula. This renewed fascination with the past and Korean origins has therefore manifested in both academia and pop culture. These new views of Korean origins are intricately linked with notions of group and individual identity.

Students travel to archaeological sites for experiential hands-on learning, as well as to modern locations. In addition, multitrack instruction in Korean language accommodates all levels of proficiency, including true beginners, and takes advantage of the Korean setting to reinforce language skills and to enrich students' understanding of Korean culture.

Highlights: Students take KORE S-133 and one of the following language courses.

KORE S-133 Adventures in Early Korean History and Archaeology
This course, taught by Harvard instructor Mark Byington and offered in cooperation with Ewha University in Seoul, surveys the early history of Korea from the perspectives of written history and archaeology, and explores the relationship between those disciplines and the process of identity formation. Students examine Korea's history and archaeology as a means to contextualize and give scholarly relevance to current political and social issues. The course features several excursions to historical sites, including active excavations and museum restoration labs. Prerequisites: none.

KORE S-Ba Study Abroad in Korea: Elementary Korean

This course is designed for students who have no prior knowledge of Korean. The objective of the course is to equip students with communicative skills in speaking, listening, reading, and writing at a basic level. Students learn how to express simple ideas such as identities, locations, time, daily activities, weekend plan, desires; combine simple ideas in a variety of ways; and become familiar with various aspects of Korean culture, history, and daily life. Prerequisites: none.

KORE S-120a Study Abroad in Korea: Intermediate Korean

KORE S-120a is designed for students who have already taken elementary Korean (Ba) or students who have an equivalent proficiency level. This course aims to increase their ability to communicate in Korean in a wide range of daily life situations with an equal focus on expanding their knowledge of the fundamental grammar of Korean. Students are introduced to reading materials of increasing complexity on a variety of topics in modern Korean society and culture. Prerequisites: elementary Korean.

KORE S-140a Study Abroad in Korea: Advanced Korean

KORE S-140a is designed to provide students with greater reading skills and socio-cultural knowledge of Korean beyond the high-intermediate level. They develop skills in reading authentic materials from contemporary Korean media and fiction, and aural comprehension of contemporary television documentaries, news, and drama with decreased reliance on pedagogical aids. It also aims to enhance their speaking and writing skills to discuss various issues of modern Korean society and culture. Prerequisites: intermediate Korean.

Degree Level: Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Cost in US$: $5,775

- Tuition
- Room and some meals
- All course materials
- All scheduled excursions and extracurricular activities

Experience Required: no

This Program is open to Worldwide Participants.

Participants Travel to South Korea Independently

Application Process Involves:

• Essay
• Transcript
• Written Application

Harvard Summer School Study Abroad Programs's Mission Statement: The Harvard Summer School makes Harvards academic resourcesa distinguished faculty, well-equipped laboratories, fine museums, and a world-class university library available to men and women of many ages, backgrounds, and nationalities through an intensive summer session of liberal arts courses in Cambridge and overseas. Our international student body includes Harvard undergraduate and graduate students, visitors from other colleges and universities, highly qualified secondary school students, adult learners, and nonnative English speakers seeking to refine their language skills. Students take courses to challenge themselves academically, meet degree requirements, prepare for graduate school, gain college experience, advance their careers, and pursue personal enrichment. Students who study at Harvard Summer School may reside in a supportive residential environment, commute to campus, complete courses via distance education, or participate in one of the faculty-led programs based abroad. Many come to experience the extraordinary environment of Harvard College academics, resources, and residential life. Harvard Summer School serves the University community by providing faculty with teaching opportunities that allow them to experiment with new materials and teaching methods. Students from many Harvard schools take advantage of the breadth of summer course offerings to meet requirements for concentrations and degree programs, and to create more flexibility within their term-time academic program. Harvard graduate students from abroad can work on refining their English language skills, and Harvard College students take advantage of the summer session to expand their cultural, social, and intellectual horizons by studying abroad.