Overview
During the 5,000 years of its history, Korea has continuously traded with China, and since the establishment of diplomatic relations, the two countries have increasingly cooperated with each other in every field and in various ways. Because of the closeness of the relationship, at this point in time, experts on China in various fields such as politics, society, science, and culture, are much needed.
Korea University’s Department of Chinese Language and Literature was established in 1972 at the height of the Cold War by those who foresaw an improvement in relations with China. Since then, the department has overseen the education of over 1,000 undergraduate students and has acted as a solid springboard for the enhancement of exchanges between China and Korea. The graduate school, which was established in 1976 and has since then guided the work of over 200 Master’s and Ph.D. students and has taken the lead in the collaborative effort to produce the world’s most comprehensive Unabridged Chinese-Korean Dictionary. In addition, its faculty have published numerous papers and books, and have translated multiple texts related to Chinese language and literature, in this way putting Chinese studies in Korea on a solid footing.
The curriculum at Korea University ensures that students are taught accurate, standard Chinese pronunciation and eventually come to fully understand China in its many facets in a systematic manner. As a result of the program, the department’s graduates not only enjoy a high rate of employment, but also diverse experience on various career paths, which are becoming broader year by year.
Status
- As of 2016, eight Korean professors and one foreign full-time professor are teaching and conducting research in the Department in the following five fields: Chinese language, Chinese linguistics, classical Chinese literature, modern Chinese literature, and Chinese education.
- As of 2016, approximately 300 undergraduate students, 50 Ph.D. students, and 60 Master’s students are majoring in Chinese Language and Literature.
- Majoring students (admitted in 2004 or later) who wish to study abroad for one semester out of a total of eight are supported by the Department through the Exchange Student Program and Visiting Student Program. Refer to Department Regulations on this website and the ‘International Exchange’ menu on Korea University’s website.
- The Department of Chinese Language and Literature occupies a total area of 189.59m, including the Department Administration Office (24.75m), the Office of Asian Languages (38.88m), and the Graduate Research Office (including The Chinese Studies Institute, 116.96m). The language laboratory (1102.7m) within the Division of International Languages and Literature is shared with the Department.
- In 2011, 68.3% of the graduates of The Department of Chinese Language and Literature were either employed or chose to continue their studies in graduate school. 57% were employed at private companies and 12.5% continued their studies either domestically, including in Korea University, or abroad. Many graduates are displaying their abilities in their desired fields of work or study.
- Over the past three years, 50% or more masters students have continued their studies on the path to doctoral degrees, and more than 80% of the Department’s Ph.D’s have succeeded in finding employment, which is a very satisfactory result.