Korean

Why Study Korean at the UO?

Korean is spoken by more than 78 million people. It has a culture renowned to be the friendliest in the world. And from K-pop to K-drama, from industry-leading tech companies to dramatically rapid economic growth, Korea has risen greatly in world importance and visibility.

At the University of Oregon, you’ll learn Korean language, culture, society, literature, and linguistics from historical and contemporary perspectives. Our classes encourage active participation and communication in a friendly and supportive environment. The Korean minor combines language courses with culture, literature, and linguistics courses.

Undergraduate Programs

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literatures offers a minor in Korean with courses available in language, linguistics, and culture. The minor program allows students to combine their studies with a variety of majors.

Graduate Programs

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literature offers an MA degree in East Asian languages and literatures with a specialization in Korean literature, film and culture.

An airport sign in Korea

Travel and Study Around the World

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literature prepares students for the future of global citizenship and the workforce. Many of our students spend time traveling and living in another culture. We offer study abroad opportunities in Korea. The department offers several scholarships to help students pursue their studies.

What You Can Do with a Minor in Korean

What kind of career will you pursue? Students with a minor in Korean have found employment in government, international business, education, translation, and entertainment industries. They have also gone on to law school and other professional and graduate studies.

A pond with floating Lilies

Learn from Experts in Korean

Our department is composed of faculty who are active in their interdisciplinary research as well as institutes and programs at the UO. They are passionate scholars who inform, inspire, and mentor students in building real-world skills.

Scholarships and Funding

The Department of East Asian Languages and Literature awards multiple scholarships to current undergraduate and graduate students. Learn more about available scholarships and eligibility requirements.

Undergraduate Scholarships  
Graduate Funding

Academic Support

Our academic advisors can help students talk through their major or minor requirements, plan their course of study, explore study abroad opportunities, and more.

Undergraduate Advising  
Support for Graduate Students

East Asian Languages and Literatures News and Events

After announcing a landmark $25 million commitment, Portland developer, philanthropist and alumnus Jordan Schnitzer shares his thoughts on living in an ever-globalizing world—and his hopes for the Schnitzer School of Global Studies and Languages.
Eight faculty members have been selected to win this year’s Distinguished Teaching Awards, which recognize exceptional teaching at the University of Oregon. The 2024-25 recipients are Lana Lopesi, Adell Amos, Mohsen Manesh, Marli Miller, Damian Radcliffe, Corinne Bayerl, Amanda Wojick and Naoko Nakadate.
LANGUAGES AND INTERNATIONAL STUDIES — This year's Foreign Language and International Studies Day offered a vibrant celebration of languages, cultures and the arts for high school students. Attendees came from 19 Oregon high schools, some traveling from as far north as Seaside, as far south as Roseburg and as far east as Pendleton.

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Linguistics Society of America Summer Institute
Jul7
Linguistics Society of America Summer Institute Jul 7 Straub Hall
Graduate Student Welcome Lunch and Resource Fair
Sep23
Graduate Student Welcome Lunch and Resource Fair Sep 23 Erb Memorial Union (EMU)
Grad Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event
Oct23
Grad Student & Postdoc Industry Recruitment Event Oct 23
What is Research? (2026)
Apr23
What is Research? (2026) Apr 23 University of Oregon Portland
What is Research? (2026)
Apr24
What is Research? (2026) Apr 24 University of Oregon Portland
What is Research? (2026)
Apr25
What is Research? (2026) Apr 25 University of Oregon Portland

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