Harvard Summer Program in Seoul, Korea
At a Glance
Dates:
June 20–July 31, 2010
Application deadline:
February 5
Cost:
$5,775
Accommodations:
Dorms
Slideshow
Contact
- Catherine Glover, e-mail
Harvard College students can attend the study abroad fair to learn more about this program.
Korean culture and language study in the South Korean capital
Faculty: Michael Herzfeld, Elise Prébin, Sang-suk Oh, and Korean language instructors
The program explores the changes and transitions South Korean society has undergone over the past 50 years, as well as the innovations and policies created in response to the challenges of modernity. We also reflect on various aspects of everyday life: gender politics, the growing experience of multiculturalism, the handling of death, the management and uses of space in Seoul, the relationship between civil society and the government, the construction of cultural heritage, etc. And these themes are put into relief by means of anthropological concepts and comparative analyses based on fieldwork conducted in Greece, Italy, and Thailand, and the French and British backgrounds of the instructors. Our aim is to inspire students to enlarge their outlook on South Korean society by engaging in a dialogue with the very people who help construct it.
This is facilitated by framing activities through which students experience for themselves the ongoing development and modernization of South Korean society. Multitrack instruction in Korean language enriches students’ understanding of the culture. No prior knowledge of Korean is needed to participate.
Course of study
Students take ANTH S-1726 and 1 of the following language courses. Language course-levels may be revised as needed, upon acceptance.
ANTH S-1726 Study Abroad in Korea: Experiencing Korea, Experiencing Comparison (32559)
Michael Herzfeld and Elise M. Prebin.
(4 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
This course, offered in cooperation with a host university in Seoul, surveys contemporary South Korea from the perspective of comparative anthropology. It focuses on the loci and agents of social change in the context of the past 50 years, while drawing relevant comparisons with other societies, such as Greece, Italy, France, England, and Thailand. Students examine South Korea's contemporary challenges, such as the struggle against gender discrimination, the growing experience of multiculturalism, the handling of death, the management and uses of space in Seoul, the relationship between civil society and the government, and the construction of a cultural heritage through readings and visits to major institutions tackling such challenges.
Prerequisites: none.
KORE S-Ba Study Abroad in Korea: Elementary Korean (32194)
Sang-suk Oh.
(4 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
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 plans, and 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 (32195)
Sang-suk Oh.
(4 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
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 (32196)
Sang-suk Oh.
(4 credits: UN, GR) Limited enrollment
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. The course also aims to enhance their speaking and writing skills to discuss various issues of modern Korean society and culture.
Prerequisites: intermediate Korean.
Course credit
See Study Abroad Credit Information.
Faculty
Michael Herzfeld, PhD, Professor of Anthropology, Harvard University
Sang-suk Oh, PhD, Senior Preceptor in Korean and Director of the Korean Language Program, Harvard University
Elise M. Prebin, PhD, Lecturer on Anthropology, Harvard University
Korean language faculty from the host university
Application
Students must be at least 18 years old, have completed at least 1 year of college or be a first-year student, and be in good academic standing to apply.
The application materials, outlined below, are due February 5:
- A completed online application (available in early December) that includes:
- A $50 nonrefundable application fee
- A supplementary statement describing interest in the program, relevant coursework, and travel experience abroad (previous travel is not a prerequisite)
- Official transcripts (sent directly to the address below; unofficial transcripts are accepted for Harvard College students only)
Transcripts should be addressed as follows:
Matilda West
Study Abroad Coordinator
Harvard Summer School
51 Brattle Street
Cambridge, MA 02138 USA
Students will be notified of admission decisions by late February or early March.
Cost
The cost of the program is $5,775 and a nonrefundable $50 application fee. This covers the following:
- Tuition
- Room and some meals
- All scheduled excursions and extracurricular activities
In addition to the program fee, students are responsible for:
- Textbooks
- A health insurance fee ($175; waived if students have US insurance that provides coverage outside the United States)
- Transportation to and from Seoul
- The cost of passports and visas (if the latter is needed)
- Any immunizations
Program directors will advise students of likely additional expenses. A sample budget for estimating expenses will be available soon.
How to pay and funding options
See How to Pay for payment deadlines, deposit amounts, and more information including funding options for Harvard College students.
Accommodations
Students stay in coed dormitories at a host university in Seoul. All rooms are doubles and include breakfast.
Additional information
Contact Catherine Glover, cglover@fas.harvard.edu; (617) 496-4812; fax (617) 496-1144.
Students with disabilities should contact the disability services coordinator as soon as possible. See Students with Disabilities for more information.