Engage with a dynamic culture. Navigate a global future.
Gain deep cultural fluency through the study of Korea’s past and present. The Bachelor of Arts degree in Korean Languages and Cultures combines advanced training in modern and historical Korean language with a diverse curriculum spanning literature, philosophy, and popular culture. By analyzing texts in both translation and the original language, you will develop the critical skills to interpret the complex narratives of Korean society.
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures is dedicated to fostering a vibrant and inclusive community for our undergraduate students. We believe in the importance of connection and host events such as EALC Talks!, an informal lunchtime talk series for faculty, students, and staff to share their research and projects.
Highlights
- Hear from scholars in EALC Talks!
- Help other students learn Korean as a language tutor.
- Study abroad while completing Korean Language and Culture classes.
Curriculum
The Korean Language and Culture major offers a rigorous and comprehensive curriculum that integrates advanced language training with in-depth study of Korea’s literature, media, and cultural history. The program situates students within the geopolitical realities of the Korean peninsula, examining its rapid economic transformation, vibrant democratic system, and historically layered and complex relationships within East Asia and beyond. Students study premodern literature alongside modern and contemporary writing, gaining insight into the philosophical, ethical, and social debates shaping Korean thought across centuries. This training in cultural and literary literacy is the foundation for a sophisticated understanding of the global “Korean Wave,” enabling students to examine and understand the aesthetic forms, ideological tensions, and social meanings of Korean cinema, popular music and other media.
Learn more at ealc.berkeley.edu/programs/undergraduate/
Study Options
The Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures offers undergraduate majors in Chinese Language and Culture, Japanese Language and Culture, Korean Language and Culture (new), East Asian Religion, Thought and Culture, and East Asian Humanities, as well as Mongolian and Tibetan language and literature courses. Students come from a diverse range of backgrounds, and many are double majors in a broad spectrum of other departments and programs. The department also offers minors in Chinese, Japanese, and Korean.
Declaring the Major
Upon acceptance to UC Berkeley, you will enter the College of Letters & Science as an undeclared student. To officially declare your major in Korean Language and Culture, please schedule an appointment with the Department Advisor. This meeting will help you create a personalized program of study, or you can declare your major after completing the necessary prerequisites.
If you are considering a major in Korean Language and Culture, consult with the Department Advisor regarding major requirements, transfer credits, and any other academic inquiries. We encourage you to begin your preparations for the major as early as possible to fulfill the requirements set by the University, college, and department.
A degree in Korean Languages and Culture equips you with the high-level communication and critical thinking skills essential for the global marketplace. Graduates can leverage their cross-cultural expertise in diverse sectors, including international diplomacy, journalism, translation, and global business. This major also provides a rigorous foundation for advanced study in law, business, and Asian studies, or for competitive opportunities in public service and professional fellowships.
UC Berkeley offers several career resources for students studying Korean Language and Culture. The College of Letters & Science spotlights career pathways for students in the Arts & Humanities and offers advising for undergraduates pursuing medical or health professions programs, law school, or master's and PhD programs. Additionally, Berkeley Career Engagement provides career and graduate school advising, job and internship listings, and events such as career and graduate school fairs.
Employment
Alumni find employment in a variety of fields and industries after graduation. Examples include:
- Foreign Service Officer
- Global Marketing Strategist
- Intelligence Analyst
- International Policy Advisor
- International Trade Specialist
- Korean Language Educator
- Localization Specialist
- Museum/Archive Curator
- Study Abroad Coordinator
Graduate Study
Alumni pursue graduate education to gain more depth of knowledge in their field as well as prepare for jobs that require advanced degrees. Examples include:
- Asian Studies
- Business
- Comparative Literature
- East Asian Languages and Cultures
- Education
- Korean Language and Culture
- Law
Jinsoo An, Faculty
Jinsoo An is Associate Professor and The Korea Foundation Chancellor's Chair in Korean Language and Culture, and helped establish the Korean Language and Culture major at UC Berkeley. His research examines Korean cinema and culture, including representation of Christianity, nationalism, historical drama, popular justice and legal formalism, and cult film aesthetics.
“South Korea is a unique case to study and explore. It's a country that is divided—maintained by a long tradition, but at the same time, it has undergone compressed modernization….The insights one can draw about Korea will help any student see their own culture and society in a new way.”
First Year
Plan Your Studies
- Start exploring with L&S 1 and first-year guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Visit L&S Advising for help with major exploration and degree requirements.
- Familiarize yourself with the Korean major; begin the language sequence with KOREAN 1A + 1B (take the Korean placement exam if you have prior experience) and enroll in KOREAN 7A + 7B (Korean Literature and Media).
- Discover new interests in a Freshman Seminar, Berkeley Changemaker, or A&H Compass or Gateway course.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Sign up for the EALC email list.
- Get involved with a student organization like the EALC Undergraduate Student Association.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
- Attend Korean Day, the Korean Language Program’s spring event.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Start exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Begin making a plan to get career ready.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
Second Year
Plan Your Studies
- Continue with lower division prerequisites and requirements (KOREAN 10A + 10B language courses); take an upper division EALANG requirement.
- Look into study abroad; see options in South Korea as well as scholarships from Freeman-ASIA and Boren Awards.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
- Meet with your major advisor to declare the major.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Center for Korean Studies or a department event such as EALC Talks!
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Pay a visit to the East Asian Library.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Look into research funding from the Center for Korean Studies and IEAS; apply for a FLAS award.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to build skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE; look into the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship.
Third Year
Plan Your Studies
- Begin upper division requirements, including courses in Advanced Korean and Premodern and Modern Korean Language and Literature.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
- Consider applying to the EALC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Work as a language tutor for Korean courses.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
- Join a professional association such as the American Association of Teachers of Korean.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
Fourth Year
Plan Your Studies
- Enroll in an upper division EALANG course if you haven’t done so already.
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Enter the Korean Literature Essay Contest or present at Korean Day.
- Submit a course research project for the Y.R. Chao Prize, Library Prize, or American Cultures Student Prize.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Get published! Submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as EPIK, Luce Scholars, and Blakemore Freeman Fellowship.
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Prepare for enrollment with your college advisor in Golden Bear Advising.
- Make progress on language study or other degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as KOREAN 1A or 1B.
- Study in South Korea through UCEAP or the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Teaching English and Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
First Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Get your bearings with L&S 198 Transitioning to Cal and transfer guides from L&S and Arts & Humanities.
- Meet with your major advisor to create a program plan and declare the major.
- Take the Korean placement exam if you have prior experience.
- Complete any needed lower division prerequisites and requirements, including KOREAN 7A; begin upper division coursework.
- Join Berkeley Connect for 1:1 mentoring and to meet peers with shared interests.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Sign up for the EALC email list.
- Get involved with a student organization like the EALC Undergraduate Student Association.
- Connect with the Transfer Student Center or Re-entry Student Program.
- Visit Berkeley Discovery to get started with research, entrepreneurship, public service, and creative projects.
- Pay a visit to the East Asian Library.
- Learn how to prepare for office hours and build relationships with faculty.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Visit UHS Career Counseling and Berkeley Career Engagement.
- Begin exploring career paths for the major; check out career resources on the Arts & Humanities website.
- Create or update your resume and LinkedIn profile.
- Use Handshake to start connecting with career events and opportunities.
- Meet with a BCE career educator to discuss career options and goals.
Second Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Focus on language and EALANG courses, and upper division electives; take KOREAN 7B (Korean Literature and Media).
- Look into study abroad; see options in South Korea as well as scholarships from Freeman-ASIA and Boren Awards.
- Enrich your studies with a certificate or minor such as Buddhist Studies.
- Consider applying to the EALC Honors Program; look into the Haas Scholars and SURF programs.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Attend an event at the Center for Korean Studies or a department event such as EALC Talks!
- Check out the Public Service Internship, College Corps, and Haas Public Service Leaders Program.
- Explore research opportunities on the OURS website; apply to URAP to work on a faculty research project.
- Look into research funding from the Center for Korean Studies and IEAS; apply for a FLAS award.
- Attend Korean Day, the Korean Language Program’s spring event.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Build your network and explore career fields via job shadowing and informational interviews.
- Pursue an internship to develop skills and explore fields.
- Considering graduate school? Explore resources from the Graduate Division, L&S Advising, and BCE.
- Speak with faculty, advisors, and career educators about post-graduate options.
Third Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Continue fulfilling upper division requirements; enroll in an upper division EALANG course if you haven’t completed one yet.
- Review your degree progress with your major and college advisor.
- Develop your writing and critical thinking in an Art of Writing seminar.
- Spend a term off-campus with UCDC or the Intercampus Visitor Program.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Help other students as a Transfer Peer Advocate or member of the A&H Dean’s Leadership Team.
- Develop your skills in the Berkeley Student Leadership Academy.
- Share your language skills in the SLC Language Exchange Program.
- Welcome new students to Berkeley as a Golden Bear Orientation Leader.
- Work as a language tutor for Korean courses.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Check in with a BCE career educator.
- Join a professional association such as the American Association of Teachers of Korean.
- Interested in public service careers? Consider applying to the John Gardner Fellowship, Huntington Award, or Truman Scholarship.
- Apply to graduate school or post-graduate programs such as EPIK, Luce Scholars, and Blakemore Freeman Fellowship.
Fourth Semester
Plan Your Studies
- Finish all upper division requirements and electives.
- Join a thesis writing workshop at the Townsend Center or Student Learning Center.
- Complete any remaining degree requirements and prepare for graduation.
Engage Outside the Classroom
- Enter the Korean Literature Essay Contest or present at Korean Day.
- Submit a course research project for the Y.R. Chao Prize, Library Prize, or American Cultures Student Prize.
- Interested in teaching? Give it a try by teaching your own DeCal course.
- Get published! Submit your work to the Berkeley Undergraduate Journal.
- Pursue a special project after graduation with the Stronach Prize.
Pursue Your Career Goals
- Meet employers at info sessions, on-campus recruiting, and career fairs.
- Utilize job search tools from BCE and apply for job opportunities.
- Start connecting with alumni groups and events.
- Learn about alumni career services.
Summer
- Get ready for Berkeley with RHETOR 100 Writing at the University.
- Prepare for enrollment with your major advisor in Golden Bear Advising.
- Thinking about a PhD? Apply to the Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship before your first semester.
- Make progress on language study or other degree requirements with a Summer Sessions course such as KOREAN 10A or GLOBAL 143.
- Study in South Korea through UCEAP or the Critical Language Scholarship Program.
- Pursue a summer minor or certificate—check out programs in Teaching English and Journalism.
- Apply to the GiGS program to learn about graduate school.
Undergraduate Advising
Have questions about Korean Language and Culture or choosing a major?
The Department of East Asian Language and Cultures offers undergraduate advising for students planning to major in Korean Language and Culture or other EALC majors. The Department Advisor for undergraduate students is available for in-person and remote appointments to answer general questions about EALC programs and for support navigating the University. For advising hours and contact information, visit ealc.berkeley.edu.
The College of Letters & Science helps students with non-major-specific academic topics, including major exploration, general program planning, finding campus resources, and pre-professional graduate programs. L&S College Advisors are available for in-person and virtual meetings. Visit lsadvising.berkeley.edu or email asklns@berkeley.edu.
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